Pwr Steering Flush
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Tillamook, Or.
Pwr Steering Flush
Hi to all
I have had my '00 Ranger for less than a month and am working my way through a whole list of service work. Next on the list is flushing the Power Steering system.
Does anybody have any tips on proceedures or traps to watch out for?
Thanks
Ron
I have had my '00 Ranger for less than a month and am working my way through a whole list of service work. Next on the list is flushing the Power Steering system.
Does anybody have any tips on proceedures or traps to watch out for?
Thanks
Ron
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 0
From: West Texas
I don't recommend flushing anything on a vehicle. Just suck it out with your wifes trkey baster and refill it. Do it two or three times if it makes you feel better. Then just get on a regular schedule with it's maintenance.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 0
From: West Texas
Also do NOT use power steering fluid on any Ford. Look in the owners manual and see what type of fluid it takes. It's Usually type F trans fluid on 92 and older and mercon on newer ones. I usually use synthetic after I change a pump out on one. PS fluid is crap!
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
Also how I added an inline P/S filter in the low pressure return line, to help with another problem I was having.
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - View Single Post - Power Steering Filter
More thoughts for consideration.
Let us know how your system flush goes.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 94
From: Stanton, Michigan, USA
Cool write up!
Since you indicated that you change your PS fluid filter about every 30K miles, have you ever cut it open to see what amount of "iron dust" was captured inside?
BarnieTrk
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
Well it's only been about a year & a half since I added the first Magnefine filter, so I've a way to go before it gets to 30K miles, so no I haven't cut one open yet.
Changing my P/S fluid at 30K mile intervials, seems to have kept the fluid looking good, it's always still looked red, but the small stuff that would cause mischief with seals & valves would be difficult to see with the eye.
A P/S system shouldn't make too much metal debris, maybe mostly aluminum & maybe some rubber from the seals, pump & hoses.
Will be interesting to see what is found when I do cut that puppy open though & I will post what I find, maybe by then I'll have a computer & can post pictures, or figure out how to do it with my digitial camera & the MSN TV-2 "Duce" I use to surff the web!!!! lol
Changing my P/S fluid at 30K mile intervials, seems to have kept the fluid looking good, it's always still looked red, but the small stuff that would cause mischief with seals & valves would be difficult to see with the eye.
A P/S system shouldn't make too much metal debris, maybe mostly aluminum & maybe some rubber from the seals, pump & hoses.
Will be interesting to see what is found when I do cut that puppy open though & I will post what I find, maybe by then I'll have a computer & can post pictures, or figure out how to do it with my digitial camera & the MSN TV-2 "Duce" I use to surff the web!!!! lol
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 94
From: Stanton, Michigan, USA
I gottcha, Pawpaw..... cool.
[--without hijacking this thread--]
I've got another quick question; Isn't the flushing of the power steering system self-purging of any air? In other words, if a fella does manage to let some air get into the system, won't much of any air that makes it inline get purged out easily enough with just a few turns of the steering wheel while it's still jacked up?
BarnieTrk
[--without hijacking this thread--]
I've got another quick question; Isn't the flushing of the power steering system self-purging of any air? In other words, if a fella does manage to let some air get into the system, won't much of any air that makes it inline get purged out easily enough with just a few turns of the steering wheel while it's still jacked up?
BarnieTrk
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
Well it should, providing we use a good fluid with anti foamig ads & don't let the fluid get too low, such that the pump whips it into a pink froth, then get all that circulated through the rack.
Then it can be a pain to get out, maybe take a few days to finally get it to a point that it'll stop spitting up & work all the air out.
Or if the fluid is really badly areated, maybe pull a vacuum on the pump reservoir, to pop the bubbles.
Anyway during the flush, if we're careful & don't let the fluid get low, or get too much air in the system, then with the wheels up & the engine idling, 15-20 steering wheel turns lock to lock, will usually suffice in purging any air out of the system.
Then it can be a pain to get out, maybe take a few days to finally get it to a point that it'll stop spitting up & work all the air out.
Or if the fluid is really badly areated, maybe pull a vacuum on the pump reservoir, to pop the bubbles.
Anyway during the flush, if we're careful & don't let the fluid get low, or get too much air in the system, then with the wheels up & the engine idling, 15-20 steering wheel turns lock to lock, will usually suffice in purging any air out of the system.
