If this has already been posted, please delete, however I couldn’t find any info on the subject so I’d thought posting this may help others …

The turkey baster method works, empty the reservoir tank, refill, turn wheels, empty, and refill again, doing this 3-4 times will get a lot of the old stuff out. However, this only dilutes the old concentration, you’ll never have all new fluid in your system. It’s not a big deal if you’re doing it on a regular bases, and the old fluid still looks good. But what if your fluid is contaminated, or if you want to put in a different brand, or synthetic, or ATF (if your vehicle calls for this), do you really want to mix it with the old? It may be compatible, sure, but personally I don’t like mixing different fluids.

Here’s a different approach to flushing the steering power fluid:

1. Jack the front end of the car up, make sure both front wheels are off the ground.
2. Empty the reservoir tank with a turkey baster (can’t get away from this method).
3. Remove the return line from the tank, it’s the smaller of the two, making sure to place some towels underneath, some fluid will drain out.
4. Attach the return hose you just disconnected to a hose of similar size (available at home depot) 2-3 feet will do wonders. I’m not sure of the size, I believe 3/8 OD is still too small (don’t quote me on this one) Place the end of the new tube in a container, make sure it’s big enough to catch the fluid.
5. Turn the steering wheel, full left and right several times, this will pump out the old fluid into the container.
6. After a few turns of the steering wheel, most of the fluid is out, now plug up the bottom of the reservoir tank, so it doesn’t leak.
7. Pour in some new ps fluid, fill the tank, now turn your steering wheel back and forth again, this will pump the new stuff into the system and force it back out. Use a full bottle for this process, 12oz or more if you like, until the stuff coming out looks new.
8. That’s it, now reconnect the return hose to the tank, and fill her up w/ new fluid. You’ll need to turn the steering wheel again, so the new fluid gets pumped in the system. You’ll need to repeat this process a few times, until it’s not sucking anymore fluid.

This is all done with the engine in the OFF position, so no running of the pump dry. The steering moves freely with the front wheels off the ground.

NOTE: use at your own risk. I am not responsible for any problems/damage you may encounter with this method.

 

If you are going to do a write up you should include some pics along with it consindering they speak volumes if someone doesn't quite get what you are saying.

 

Where did you get the turkey baster from? The ones I got from Wal-Mart the tube is too fat to fit in the resevior.

 

Yes, I know I should've included some pics, however I didn't take any while I was doing it so, unfortunately none exist. I will try to get some, and add them once they're available.

 

I used the one from Walmart, and yes the tube is too large. Get a piece of
5"-6" clear tubing 5/16 OD is what I used, and tape it to the end of the baster. Use some good packaging tape to seal the joint, it works like a charm.

PM me if you need pics, I'll try to take some.

 

what kind of fulid do u use?

 

I used the regular Nissan power steering fluid.

 

dont think mixing fluid will cause any damage, i did the old method like 2 times, drove a bit and twice again, all of it looks fresh now.

 

k i did empty the tank and put in Castro Dex III ATF, but i didn't jack up the car and remove the return line, thinking to empty the tank few times more should be fine, is it? if it is then how many times should i repeat inorder to get most of the fresh oil in?
i am thinking empty the tank ones every day start from today... but just don't know when i should stop...><
anyone did the same as i did? i am just too lazy to do those extra step + i am too far away from home so no tools......

thanx

 

If it were me, I would do it 4-5 times. Some have done it 3 times w/ good results, but I guess I'm ****, so the more new fluid is in there, the better.

 

haha good... i just brought 3 bottle...
that should be more than 5 times.... thanx alot guys

 

Is changing that fluid's benefit like changing the brake fluid? In case of moisture and contamination? Any noticeable differences?

 

No difference felt, it's like changing your motor oil, just maintenance, or preventive care.

 

Any replacement schedule you guys go by? I am pretty sure my fluid is four years old, so myabe it's due for a change? I have a case of Amsoil ATF coming, so whatever left over from my tranny flush I'll just use to replace the old PS fluid.

Edit: How do you tell if the fluid is bad from looking at it like you said in the first post? Can you? And cna you approx. how much fluid is needed per change? Thank you!

 

mine is bad for sure... coz it looks like a fresh engine oil... it should be red.....
coz havent change it for 6 years already/....

 

It took me over 6 years to change it the first time. LOL Yeah, I slacked big time, but shortly after I got my car, my wife had 2 kids, so between them and everything else, the car sat on the back burner. But the kids are a little older now, so they're less demanding, more time to work on the cars.

Anyhow, I believe they recommend changing the ps fluid like every three years, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I like to change mine every 2. It's like changing your oil, some like to do it every 3K, some 5K, and others 10.

If it's dark/black, then it's definitely time to change. New fluid should have a semi-see thru red glow to it when you shine a flashlight behind the reservoir tank.

If I remember correctly, I think it took 3-4 12oz bottles for the method I used.

 

So one quart is enough? And any ATF will do right?

 

i've never changed mine... looks mint. only fluid i haven't changed

 

but how much should i fill? there are "cold min" "cold max" "hot min" and "hot max" when the car is off, what is the right level?

 

start the car and add fluid as you go along up until "hot min"

 

When she's cold, sitting overnight, you can fill it up as high as the "cold max" line, making sure it's at least at the "cold min" line. I filled mine up to the cold max lline.