My wife's 07 mountaineers steering is starting to make noises so I figured it's te for a flush. What's the procedure, how many quarts, and what type of fluid?

 

A word of caution...

While it maybe time to flush (Mercon V fluid) the power steering system I had a similar issue with my '08 Explorer. The noise sounded exactly like a the pump however, after a flush and finally a pump change the noise continued.

After further investigation it was determined to be a bearing in one of the belt idlers. Changed the bearing and the noise was gone.

If you have access to an automotive stethoscope it is simple to confirm or rule out the idlers.

 

is the noise when you crank the wheel or when running down the road in a straight line ? Removal is done with a suction gun or large syringe to pull out a cup... put new oil in, run full left- right on steering a couple times, then repeat with another cup out - then refill, etc... do this 3-4 times..... Normally you use transmission fluid like the vehicle used, ATF, or regular " steering oil" that you buy at the auto store... makes no difference.

 

If you have the Ford service manual, look for the procedure for bleeding air from the power steering system. You can modify this procedure to use it as a way to flush the power steering system by disconnecting the return line and running it to a bucket. You have to disable the engine so it won't run, but you still need to be able to crank the engine over. Then, crank the engine over while turning the steering wheel and replenishing the fluid in the reservoir as the return fluid will be going to the bucket rather than back to the reservoir. It will take two people to do this.

The above is just a brief outline. There are details missing and there are safety considerations that need to be followed, both for you (most importantly) and your Explorer, since it involves exposure to moving parts. I bet you could find a youtube video for it. You want the non-turkey baster method.

I will politely disagree with steve(ill) that the type of fluid (PS vs. ATF) makes no difference. So-called PS fluid that you buy at the store costs about four times more than ATF. I go through 1.5-2 quarts when I do a flush.

 

are you saying you are for or against power steering fluid ? Or just pointing out the possible price difference ? Factory fill is normally transmission fluid. My point is EITHER works... you can determine the price.

 

Just pointing out that there is a difference when it comes to price.

Personally, I'm for the tranny fluid, assuming that's what the owner's manual recommends, for the following reasons:
1. It's what's recommended (if my assumption is correct). I rarely deviate from the recommendations.
2. It's cheaper, but price alone is never the deciding factor for me.
3. It reduces the number of fluids that I have to keep on hand to a minimum. I would never put PS fluid in my tranny even if it claims to meet the tranny fluid spec. But I will, and do, put the recommended ATF in both.
4. I tend to avoid the one-size-fits-all fluids that claim to meet every spec under the sun. Even fluids that meet the same spec won't perform the same. I've seen that firsthand at my job and at home.

 

I would agree with everything but the price........ ATF , Dextron or Mercon are in the $3- 4 quart range........ Most Power Steering Fluids cost about the same....... That being said, I still use MERCON / Dextron.