Is it possible for a mechanicly inclined person to flush their own power steering system? Or is it something that due to special tools and equipment that a dealer or a shop has to do? If so how do I go about it? Thanks ahead for any input

 

I "flushed" mine with an old turkey baster , I sucked out all I could and re-filled it with new. Might not be the best way to do it, but I figure its better than nothing. I will do the same thing again when it warms up and I figure it will be "mostly" new fluid. HTH, I'm sure there are other schools of thought on this

 

Well I should've thought of that one. How much fluid did it take to fill it back up just by looking at the tank maybe 3/4 quart? does anyone know how much fluid it takes to fill it up completely?

 

IIRC it was less than 1 qt. It's been awhile though.

 

I went to my local auto parts store and did the following:

1) Buy 1 gallon of Mercon/Mercon V tranny fluid.

2) Use an old turkey baster and sucked out what is in P/S resorvoir.

3) Refill with fresh fluid.

4) Drive for a few days and repeat steps 1 through 3 three times or so.

I then installed a Magafine filter (see link below) from the hydraboost line to the P/S resorvoir (low pressure) to filter the P/S fluid. I did steps 1 through 2above, drained the resorvoir completely (loosen one of the hoses) and catch the fluid in a small cup) and the reattached. I then cut the small hydra-boost line going from the brake unit to the P/S resorvoir and installed (in-line) the Magnafine P/S filter.

The filter has a pleated paper element and a magnet.. and yes, a by-pass if it were to clog... but you would not loose system flow due to the by-pass valve.

This valve is used by Ford on rebuilt tranny's.

Here are some links... and remember... all you need is the filter and two small worm-drive clamps to "splice into" the 3/8" return line.

I have pictures of my install and will email if you would like... I am unable to post pictures in this thread... but maybe someone else can?

If I remember correctly, I used the 3/8" filter model.

Welcome to the Australian Magnefine Website

Magnefine--Your Source For Magnefine Inline Filters

Power Steering Magnetic Filter Kit

Wingate brake and steering centre

Magnefine inline transmission filter: Bulkpart transmission parts

 

I will be changing out my P/S filter this spring (one year installed) and will attempt to cut it open with a Dremmel tool to see what is on the magnet and in the filter (if anything).

Either way... I figure it has to be better than no filtration and fluid is cheap and easy to change out.

 

BBC, did you use the M010CB unit?

 

Yes... and you will need to buy 2 worm-drive clamps to secure it. All auto parts stores have them.

The flow is from the hydraboost to the P/S resorvoir (low pressure).

The 3.8" in/out nipples is what you need.

I installed mine last March and will change out next month and see what, if anything, it filtered.

I figured that we filter our air, oil, fuel, tranny, coolant (aftermarket)... so why not the P/S fluid with an aftermarket filter that costs between $15.00 - $30.00 depending on where you buy it on-line!!!!

 

BBC, Do you know if any local stores handle these filters or do you have to order on-line. Thanks in advance, Mike

 

I ordered on-line and I do not believe that any local auto parts stores sell them... so probably on-line is the only way and least expensive.

 

This is how I flushed mine. Very simple.


Just a reservoir refill would take several iterations to really clean out the system. I did mine following the instructions below and the only drips are when swapping the hose - slight and easily caught by a rag. Air in the system really isn't an issue unless you ignore the reservoir and let it go dry. I replaced with Mobil 1 ATF. The following is from another contributor at another site:

Supplies needed:
- 2-3 quarts of fresh Mercon/Dexron III ATF (or a synthetic ATF meeting those specs).
- 3/8" inside diameter tubing, at least 3 feet, more is fine.
- shop rags.
- waste oil container (an empty milk jug works great).
- hand vacuum pump or turkey baster (don't use the one from the kitchen or you'll hear about it ) - I used a small syphon hose.
- pliers (to loosen spring hose clamp)
- step stool, tire step, etc. (optional but makes it easier to get at everthing from the side of the truck.)

1) Using a hand pump or turkey baster, suck all of the old fluid out of the power steering reservoir.
2) Fill the reservoir with fresh fluid.
3) Locate the hose that goes from the power steering reservoir to the brake master cylinder. This is a low pressure hose that just uses a spring hose clamp to hold it on to the brake master cylinder, near the top, right behind the brake fluid reservoir.
4) Remove the PS hose from the top of the brake master cylinder and attach a piece of 3/8" I.D. tubing to the nipple on the brake master cylinder and route the tubing to a waste container.
5) Fire up the engine.
6) Pump the brake pedal a few times. This will force old fluid out of the system into the waste container.
7) Top off the power steering reservoir with fresh fluid.
8) Repeat steps 6&7 until you've put 2-3 quarts of fresh fluid into the system.
9) Shut off the engine.
10) Replace the hose on the brake master cylinder.
11) Ensure power steering reservoir is at the proper level.

 

I did it the same way otea090 described. Worked fine and it's easy.

 

Ordered the filter this morning. $19.95 including shipping. Pretty good price for peace of mind.

 

Well, after 1 year and 24,700 miles, I changed out my Magnefine P/S fluid filter.

After letting it drain dry, I cut it open with a saws-all and here is what I found.

1) Well made and very thick plastic (hacksaw was to slow, so uses a saws-all).

2) Inside components were a pleated filter with by-pass relief valve and magnet.

After cutting open, I was not sure what was plastic from my cutting open and what was metal shavings? I wiped off the magnet and then put the magnet back onto the papertowel as to attract what was metal.... and low and behold... there were metal shavings/dust just like when you do a tranny service and clean off the bottom of the tranny pan!!!

For the cost and ease of install... I recommend the Magnefine P/S filter for the peace of mind and extra protection it gives.

What did I do:

1) Have new P/S fluid filter handy.

2) Buy 1 qt of Mercon/Mercon V transmission fluid (this is what my truck uses).

3) Using an old turkey baster, suck out the P/S resorvoir (1 qt).

4) Loosen worm-drive clamps holding P/S filter and replace with new one.

5) Refill P/S resorvoir with 1qt of P/S fluid (do not overfill).

6) Start truck and allow to cycle and then re-check level.

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Keep in mind that I flushed my P/S system before I installed this first filter... and look what it got out (yes, there are bits of sawed plastic on the magnet...but you get the idea... it works!!!!

The Ford part number is: XC3Z-7B155-BA (3/8" nipple connections).

Can also be found on the internet under the Magnefine brand name for less money (I am assuming).

Here are some pictures:

 

Here are photos of the installed Magnefine P/S fluid filter.

I installed "in-line" from the hydraboost return line back to the P/S fluid resorvoir.

Process I used to install:

1) Buy Magnefine filter with 3/8" connections.

2) Buy 1 qt of Mercon/Mercon V Tranny fluid (this is what my truck uses).

3) Suck out old tranny fluid with old turkey baster (resorvoir holds 1qt).

4) Install Magnefine P/S filter insline as shown in the hydraboost return line.

5) Refill P/S resorvoir with fresh fluid, check level and start motor.

6) Check fluid level (do not over/under fill).

7) DONE!!!!


Here are photos of the filter and how I installed it.

HERE IS THE FILTER OUT OF THE BOX (SAME SIZE AS COKE CAN)



HERE IS PHOTO OF P/S RESORVOIR - YOU WANT THE SMALL HOSE HOOKED TO THE BRAKE/HYDRABOOST (HOSE ON LEFT IN THIS PHOTO)



IMAGE OF P/S RESORVOIR BEFORE INSTALLATION



COMPLETED INSTALLTION OF MAGNEFINE P/S FLUID FILTER