3rd Gen Engine and Drivetrain -> 2003-2007 5.9 liter Engine and drivetrain discussion only. PLEASE, NO HIGH PERFORMANCE DISCUSSION!

Power steering fluid change

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-31-2008, 11:32 AM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
D-Roc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Cold Lake, Alberta
Posts: 676
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Power steering fluid change

Has anyone changed their PS fluid, and if so, how do you do it? Do you just suck it out with a pump, or crack the return line? I don't know if there are any special precautions (IE, bleed procedures) so I just want to be sure with some feedback.
Old 05-31-2008, 11:44 AM
  #2  
Registered User
 
TexasCTD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: McKinney, TX
Posts: 5,680
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I just did mine a month ago. I bought a cheap hand pump from Ghettozone and sucked it out as best I could and replaced it with fresh ATF +4.

Im going to start doing it every 20k miles along with a host of other maintenance stuff I do at that interval...trans, diffs, 2 micron filter, drain and refill radiator etc.

..
Old 05-31-2008, 03:34 PM
  #3  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
D-Roc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Cold Lake, Alberta
Posts: 676
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
How much did it take?
Old 05-31-2008, 04:15 PM
  #4  
Registered User
 
TexasCTD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: McKinney, TX
Posts: 5,680
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
PM sent. It wasn't very much on the ps fluid. Just suck out all you can and replace with fresh ATF +4 until full.......but don't overfill. But if you do, just suck some more out till it's only "full".


..
Old 05-31-2008, 04:18 PM
  #5  
Registered User
 
dssimecek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Cypress. Texas 77433
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
On my 2nd gen I used a turkey baster to suck out the old, added the new, using the baster, less mess. Ran it a day, and did another change to get all the old out. Worked well, and the PS pump was quiter, used synthetic fluid.
Don't use the turkey baster for turkey again.
Old 05-31-2008, 04:26 PM
  #6  
I watch wind blow...
 
03RAMBUNCTIOUS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Red Dirt territory of TEXAS
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i did the turkey baster as well, when u do it that way you can count how many bulb fulls you take out, and replace with the same number of bulb fulls, to get you to a real close ball park.
Old 06-02-2008, 08:57 AM
  #7  
Registered User
 
nonford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
I just went under the truck and took the hoses off and let her drain. Filled it back up. 15 minutes I was done.
Old 06-02-2008, 09:25 AM
  #8  
Registered User
 
AH64ID's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kuna, Idaho
Posts: 4,737
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Is there a way to "flush" it as the PS fluid goes up to the brake booster as well.

Also in the service manual it states this caution in several places

CAUTION: MOPART ATF+4 is to be used in the power steering system. No other power steering or automatic
transmission fluid is to be used in the system. Damage may result to the power steering pump and
system if any other fluid is used, and do not overfill.
but the owners manual says.. .

Power Steering Reservoir Mopar ATF+4, Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent.
So what fluid did you use? I would like to put a synthetic in there for the heat as I do a lot of backroads driving which is hard on PS fluid...
Old 06-02-2008, 09:31 AM
  #9  
Registered User
 
surfram's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Delaware
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Valvoline ATF +4 full synthetic
Old 06-02-2008, 09:48 AM
  #10  
Registered User
 
AH64ID's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kuna, Idaho
Posts: 4,737
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
And I would assume no issues?

It seems really odd that the PS fluid in the service manual is so specific, when all other say or equivalent... but the owners manual says or equivalent...
Old 06-02-2008, 10:13 AM
  #11  
Registered User
 
DBLR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I have used Amsoil ATF in a 2005 1500 pickup and 2001 Dodge mini van power steering units with out any problems so don't see why it would not work in our trucks power steering units.
Old 06-02-2008, 12:13 PM
  #12  
Registered User
 
TexasCTD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: McKinney, TX
Posts: 5,680
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by ah64id



So what fluid did you use? I would like to put a synthetic in there for the heat as I do a lot of backroads driving which is hard on PS fluid...


Mopar ATF +4 is synthetic.


..
Old 06-02-2008, 12:17 PM
  #13  
Registered User
 
AH64ID's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kuna, Idaho
Posts: 4,737
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Originally Posted by TexasCTD
Mopar ATF +4 is synthetic.


..
Good deal, I may not have to change it as soon now.
Old 06-02-2008, 03:25 PM
  #14  
Registered User
 
dozer12216's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: North Carolina or Kentucky. Take your pick
Posts: 2,738
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Pull a return line and start engine, pump brakes and turn steering wheel to force as much fluid out as possible. CAUTION: do not run engine more than 8 seconds while doing this. Reinstall hose, refill and run engine. Will have to turn steering wheel (easier with front tires off ground) to prime system. May help to rev engine slightly. Check fluid frequentlly and allow bubbles to disapate. Good to go. Takes a qt + to do job well.
Old 06-02-2008, 05:47 PM
  #15  
Registered User
 
dbossdiesel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manchester, NH
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This is actually good advice! I was trying to think of what else needed to be changed! Totally forgot about the PS! Thanks guys!


Quick Reply: Power steering fluid change



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:18 AM.