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.

 

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.

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How much did it take?

 

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".


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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.

 

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.

 

I just went under the truck and took the hoses off and let her drain. Filled it back up. 15 minutes I was done.

 

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

but the owners manual says.. .

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...

 

Valvoline ATF +4 full synthetic

 

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...

 

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.

 

Mopar ATF +4 is synthetic.


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Good deal, I may not have to change it as soon now.

 

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.

 

This is actually good advice! I was trying to think of what else needed to be changed! Totally forgot about the PS! Thanks guys!