Easy way to do DIY Power Steering fluid change?
- Thread starter ms2000
- Start date
Got the same plan lined up for this spring.
Sucking from the reserve only allows replacing 1 or 2 oz. Also will not circulate well enough with the old fluid anyway in case we'd attempt multiple small replacements.
Scrap yard test showed me that disconnecting the low pressure line in the passenger side, then moving steering side to sides (front wheels lifted) will pump dark fluid out easily. Might want to block pump side of that line and refill clean fluid from the top while doing this to minimize air entry in the system.
Sucking from the reserve only allows replacing 1 or 2 oz. Also will not circulate well enough with the old fluid anyway in case we'd attempt multiple small replacements.
Scrap yard test showed me that disconnecting the low pressure line in the passenger side, then moving steering side to sides (front wheels lifted) will pump dark fluid out easily. Might want to block pump side of that line and refill clean fluid from the top while doing this to minimize air entry in the system.
I did this job very easily on my 2012. Please note that these vehicles use Automatic Transmission Fluid as power steering fluid. I replaced my fluid with Valvoline Max Life Multi-Vehicle synthetic ATF.
1. Put the front of the car up on jack stands.
2. Remove passenger wheel.
3. Remove/loosen engine splash shield and inner wheel well liner.
4. Low pressure power steering fluid return line should be visible going into the reservoir.
5. Disconnect clamp on the return line and drain fluid into a tub. Make sure to protect belts from getting fluid on them.
6. Turn car on and turn steering wheel side to side to push all the fluid out of the reservoir, through the rack, and out into the tub. Steering will become very stiff as fluid is drained.
7. Turn car off and reconnect power steering fluid return line with clamp.
8. Fill power steering reservoir with ATF.
9. Turn car on and turn steering wheel side to side, keep refilling the reservoir with ATF as it sucks the fluid into the rack. Keep turning the wheel side to side and refilling the reservoir until it reaches close to the "Max" mark. Steering should become smooth and much easier.
10. Replace/reattach engine splash shield and inner wheel well liner.
11. Reattach passenger wheel, lower vehicle off the jack stands, check fluid level on the power steering reservoir, top off as needed.
12. Take the vehicle for a test drive to check steering function, reexamine fluid level in the reservoir, top off if needed.
1. Put the front of the car up on jack stands.
2. Remove passenger wheel.
3. Remove/loosen engine splash shield and inner wheel well liner.
4. Low pressure power steering fluid return line should be visible going into the reservoir.
5. Disconnect clamp on the return line and drain fluid into a tub. Make sure to protect belts from getting fluid on them.
6. Turn car on and turn steering wheel side to side to push all the fluid out of the reservoir, through the rack, and out into the tub. Steering will become very stiff as fluid is drained.
7. Turn car off and reconnect power steering fluid return line with clamp.
8. Fill power steering reservoir with ATF.
9. Turn car on and turn steering wheel side to side, keep refilling the reservoir with ATF as it sucks the fluid into the rack. Keep turning the wheel side to side and refilling the reservoir until it reaches close to the "Max" mark. Steering should become smooth and much easier.
10. Replace/reattach engine splash shield and inner wheel well liner.
11. Reattach passenger wheel, lower vehicle off the jack stands, check fluid level on the power steering reservoir, top off as needed.
12. Take the vehicle for a test drive to check steering function, reexamine fluid level in the reservoir, top off if needed.
Very well explained
I can confirm the access to the low pressure connection that way, but I decided against letting air into the system. Instead I refilled the reservoir with new fluid as I drained the old one. I stopped exchanging fluid once I saw the color switch to red then put everything in place as it was before.
