How to change power steering fluid?

[gss036]

I have a 1999 Ford Windstar van and the power steering fluid looks pretty dirty or contaminated. I would like to figure out to drain the entire system and replace the fluid.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: How to change power steering fluid?

The best way to do this at home to take the low psi hose off the pump housing and rout it to a 5 gallon pail. You may have to plug off the low psi inlet into the power steering pump housing Buy about 1 gallon of the proper fluid . Have one person run the engine and ready to turn it off if need be. Now fill the pump housing and start the engine and let the old fluid flow in to the bucket. Keep pouring the new fluid in wile the engine is running flushing the system. Shut the engine off as soon as you run out of fluid. Put the low psi hose back on and top up with power steering fluid as needed. Can be messy but works.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: How to change power steering fluid?

Can be messy but works.

True. It's also the only way I've ever heard of doing it and it's how I did mine for my Jeep...

 

[JCF350]

Re: How to change power steering fluid?

The best way to do this at home to take the low psi hose off the pump housing and rout it to a 5 gallon pail. You may have to plug off the low psi inlet into the power steering pump housing Buy about 1 gallon of the proper fluid . Have one person run the engine and ready to turn it off if need be. Now fill the pump housing and start the engine and let the old fluid flow in to the bucket. Keep pouring the new fluid in wile the engine is running flushing the system. Shut the engine off as soon as you run out of fluid. Put the low psi hose back on and top up with power steering fluid as needed. Can be messy but works.

Add turn the steering wheel from stop to stop while doing this as this vehicle has rack and pinion steering.

 

[dolluper]

Re: How to change power steering fluid?

Inspect the old fuild for metal filings ,if so you have a bad rack spool

 

[gss036]

Re: How to change power steering fluid?

Thanks for all the replies, more of a job than I had envisioned. I will have to take a serious look at it since it a V-6 and front wheel drive. The reservor is a plastic thing on the wheel well area and the pump is down at the lower passenger side of the engine.
They do give you much room to work with.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: How to change power steering fluid?

Add turn the steering wheel from stop to stop while doing this as this vehicle has rack and pinion steering.

You must do that to insure NO AIR Pockets and check it after a day too.