Stopped at a Quick lube oil change place this AM to get an oil change. While i was there they took their (turkey baster) and took some power steering fluid out of my steering resivoir and began telling me that it was dirty and needed to be flushed and changed.
I suggested to them that the dark red color was natural to witch they responded that in the dodges it should be amber.
I have never changed or heard that power steering fluid should be changed.
according to them it should be changed every 30,000 miles.
how many of you guys change yours >

 

dark red would be ATF fluid (which is perfectly acceptable)
Only time I have changed mine was when I blew a hose.

 

According to Bobby Likus ALL fluids should be changed every 30,000 miles. I spoke with a guy that had his brake fluid changed, and flushed. He said just the change he could tell a difference. Check out bgfindashop.com and look at some of their info. jmo, Later, Tony

 

i just changed mine at 114k, probably the first time. when i did the vacuum pump seal change.
it was a dirty brown color not the amber its suppose to be.
i could not tell a difference, but it made me feel better.

 

I think, if my feeble memory serves me correctly, is that Dodge recommends ATF+4 for the power steering fluid, at least on my truck...

How tough is it to evacuate the lines, pump, etc. for a fluid change? I've never done this on a vehicle I've owned.

 

you could use a turkey baster. i have a little suction pump that i used, it dosent hold that much fluid. i bought 2- 32oz bottles of synthetic power steering and didnt even use a whole one.

 

As the fluid circulates over the years, it picks up wear metals, seal particles, and other abrasive debris. Power steering fluid contains additives such as detergents and antifoam additives which "wear out" over time. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and easily absorbs moisture which causes rust, as well as lowering the boiling point of the fluid. I believe all these fluids have a finite lifespan, and should not be ignored any more than the engine oil should be.

Having said that, I would run away from a lube shop that wanted to put clear p/s fluid in a 3rd gen truck that contains ATF +4. In your case Herb, I also think it may be a bit premature. Your fluids aren't even a year old.

 

Our trucks have a power steering cooler. It say's in the manual ATF+4 only, or you will cause damage. I topped off my pump with power steering fluid, 2 week's later I was changing the pump.

In the manual, there's instruction's on how to flush the pump/cooler/system. Just remember, ATF+4 ONLY.

 

And always add a good filter in the return line. I learned this the expensive way by replacing the pump twice. That was even after flushing the box and hoses. I used the Cardone 20-FLT2 on my '91. That cured the problem of the filings circulating in the system.

 

Actually, it was my 01 Sport (Gas) that i was getting serviced. My 12 year old grandson refers to it as his "first" vehicle.

 

is that for 2nd and 3rd gens or just 3rd?

 

I use Royal Purple EZ-Max PS fluid in my 2nd Gen. It's good stuff.

 

I'm pretty sure the change to ATF+4 started with the 3rd gens. However, Dodge has issued a bulletin stating that many older models can be changed over to ATF+4. I'm reluctant to do this though, because it seems that power steering problems/failures have become much more prevalent since the changeover. Just my opinion.

 

I put Valvoline synthetic PS fluid in my 2nd gen. It made a night and day difference. No more humming and much easier to steer in cold weather. It's very good stuff.