Power steering and Fluid
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 178
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From: USA
Power steering and Fluid
Just recently got a 1994 F-150 XLT. It has 130000 miles on it. Checking fluids and the power steering fluid looks like coffee mixed with Mud. What is the easiest way to change or flush this stuff ? What is the correct fluid to use to replace the old. Power steering works fine and does not have any leaks. Any other recomendations about servicing, maintaining etc. are always appreciated.
As always Thank you all.
Andy63...
As always Thank you all.
Andy63...
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: DE
I am sure there are many ways to flush the old PS fluid out. Here is my version.
1. Buy two bottles of PS fluid, one cheap one and one expensive (syn oil).
2. Disconnect the fluid return line from the reservoir. Catch all fluid drains from the reservoir and temporary plug it tight.
3. Fill the reservoir with cheap PS fluid
4. Unplug the wire to the center distributor cap, so that your engine will not start
5. Crank the engine for 10 sec, and catch the all fluid that comes out.
6. Refill the reservoir, and repeat until clear fluid is out. Move the steering wheel back and forth. Repeat this again with Good PS fluid.
7. Reconnect the fluid return to reservoir, fill the reservoir.
8. Reconnect the distributor plug wire.
HTH.
Later,
1. Buy two bottles of PS fluid, one cheap one and one expensive (syn oil).
2. Disconnect the fluid return line from the reservoir. Catch all fluid drains from the reservoir and temporary plug it tight.
3. Fill the reservoir with cheap PS fluid
4. Unplug the wire to the center distributor cap, so that your engine will not start
5. Crank the engine for 10 sec, and catch the all fluid that comes out.
6. Refill the reservoir, and repeat until clear fluid is out. Move the steering wheel back and forth. Repeat this again with Good PS fluid.
7. Reconnect the fluid return to reservoir, fill the reservoir.
8. Reconnect the distributor plug wire.
HTH.
Later,
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,420
Likes: 3
From: Langhorne, PA
My 1992 w/150,000 miles plus, has never had new PS fluid. I may have topped it off once or twice, but never flushed it.
I have no idea how much longer this system will last, but, 12 1/2 years is a long time and I have decided to leave well enuf alone.
I have no idea how much longer this system will last, but, 12 1/2 years is a long time and I have decided to leave well enuf alone.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: DE
Originally posted by 924x2150
My 1992 w/150,000 miles plus, has never had new PS fluid. I may have topped it off once or twice, but never flushed it.
I have no idea how much longer this system will last, but, 12 1/2 years is a long time and I have decided to leave well enuf alone.
My 1992 w/150,000 miles plus, has never had new PS fluid. I may have topped it off once or twice, but never flushed it.
I have no idea how much longer this system will last, but, 12 1/2 years is a long time and I have decided to leave well enuf alone.
Later,
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
I will admit flushing PS fluid is a nasty project, but I finally did mine a few weeks ago, and I'm very sure I had the original, 1993 installed fluid.
Egads.
Wasn't a fluid actually, as much as it was like a brown slime.
Anyway, all cleaned out, new fluid installed, PS pump still whines.
Oh, right, its a Ford, forgot.
Egads.
Wasn't a fluid actually, as much as it was like a brown slime.
Anyway, all cleaned out, new fluid installed, PS pump still whines.
Oh, right, its a Ford, forgot.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,420
Likes: 3
From: Langhorne, PA
I didn't say it was a bad idea to flush the old fluid out. I said mine has been in there a long time, and everything still works fine.
I have a feeling( instinct, intuition, etc) that it is not a critical item that should be changed every 60,000miles. My rear oil has never been changed either.
If the oil sits in the ground for 2 million years, why can't it sit in my truck for as long?
I have a feeling( instinct, intuition, etc) that it is not a critical item that should be changed every 60,000miles. My rear oil has never been changed either.
If the oil sits in the ground for 2 million years, why can't it sit in my truck for as long?
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
hmm..good point 924x2150...but on the other side of that...my ps fluid looks "normal"...is their a recommended mileage it should be changed?..i gues i go on the theory of, " if it isnt broke, dont fix it"...lol
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 58
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From: Houston Area TX
PS fluid
Just a point of interest... I'm can't imagine mine is the only one that is different, but the owners manual and Chilton's repair manual for my 93 F150 XLT 5.0 EFI specifically calls for automatic transmission fluid to be used in the PS pump, not PS fluid. I've always used it in my old Fords. And you DO change it just like you do for the transmission, if it loses it's red... change it. Of course it doesn't have to be changed anywhere near as often as the fluid in the transmission 'cause it doesn't get used that much, or in the same way, so it lasts a lot longer. But flushing it will GREATLY extend the life of your pump.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Southern Illinois
My '92 had to have the PS pump replaced when I bought it (was screaming). I flushed the steering gear because I didn't want to contaminate the new reman P/S pump. Used Type FA automatic trans fluid. Met Ford P/S pump fluid spec M2C33-F. Charles