power steering maintenance

[Chris Halkides]

Hello Everyone,

My power steering boot is leaking and my shop wants to replace the rack. After doing a search here, I am OK with that (I am a little overweight, and I really don't need to eat for a few months). However, if I put a new rack in, I would like to keep it maintained for as long as possible. My car is a 1997 J30t with 101,000 miles. Since I bought the car about 7 and a half years ago, I have changed all fluids at least once every two years. What else should I do? Thanks.

Chris

[qship96]

Dnk plenty of water, take a multi-vitamin, and exercise.

[Q45tech]

Most systems on vehicles are designed to last 10 years before replacement many survive 12-15 years with good mainteance.

[maxnix]

M1 ATF and a bottle of BG Power Steering fluid conditioner.

Change PS fuid every two years via simultaneous extraction and refill with a BG or Sun (SnapOn) machine.

[qship96]

Forget the machine based fluid exchange rape and just use a turkey baster to extract old fluid from resivour and refill with fresh ATF....repeat 1x/day for a week and you will have accomplished the EXACT same thing for FREE!

[Chris Halkides]

Hello Brian,

Thanks. Will I need an alignment also?

Chris

[maxnix]

Yes, as steering links are never exactly replaced.

[maxnix]

Forget the machine based fluid exchange rape and just use a turkey baster to extract old fluid from resivour and refill with fresh ATF....repeat 1x/day for a week and you will have accomplished the EXACT same thing for FREE!

And you will damage your rack when you turn the wheel to full lock and there is no fluid!

There is a reason the machine has a simultaneous fill and extraction, something that cannot be accomplished with even your wife's master turkey baster!

[qship96]

And you will damage your rack when you turn the wheel to full lock and there is no fluid!

There is a reason the machine has a simultaneous fill and extraction, something that cannot be accomplished with even your wife's master turkey baster!

Ugh...... Brian, my friend, you do this with the engine turned off.....suck out 8 ounces of old atf and refill with new.....drive for a day to mix.......repeat next 6 days and you have accomplished the same thing as your wallet flushing fancy machine. Just bought 2 quarts of Redline D4 ATF today in prep for this annual routine....and 2 qt Redline gearoil for the annual diff xchange....spent $40 total.

Ask q45tech......this is what he has done from day one til 330,000 miles if you dont think my 222,222 miles {hit that today!} on original PS pump and rack is long enough to prove the method works like a charm. Maybe a study in the law of diminishing returns is in order? Easiest $100{per year} you will ever save on Q preventative maintenance.......I will send you a bill for consultation fees!

[Infinitiguy19]

I just bought a air/oil pump from walmart for $7 or $14 at sears and Autozone, But anyways I bought it to suck out the PS fluid.

But if i do this is there any risk of air getting in the system when the car is off?

And If I suck out as much of the fluid as I can from the reservoir then refill to the refill point will that work too or should I just suck out 8OZ?

[qship96]

Paul, take the little strainer/filter out of p/s resivour and suck out all the fluid{ should be 6-8 ounces depending on how full it was} refill with new to correct level.....do this one per day after driving to mix fluid.

No chance of air getting in system as you do all the drain/fills with engine OFF.

[Infinitiguy19]

Thanks, i appreciate it, I will see if I can get more out since the hose on the pump is fairly long.

Thanks again.

[maxnix]

Ugh...... Brian, my friend, you do this with the engine turned off.....

Then not much is accomplished as you are only skimming the light stuff. Must go full lock to lock with engine running!

[qship96]

Then not much is accomplished as you are only skimming the light stuff. Must go full lock to lock with engine running!

You can go full lock to lock while engine running all you want......heck, go do some figure eights in a parking lot if it will satisfy your OCD, then simply park the car......shut off the motor and suck out the atf and refill with new.....every day for the next week.

[Chris Halkides]

Hello Brian,

Thanks. Will I need an alignment also?

Chris

[qship96]

Alignment will be needed after rack replacement.