Jump to content

Best Way Ever To Change Power Steering Fluid

CapitalTruck

Recommended Posts

CapitalTruck Senior Enthusiast

CapitalTruck

Posted
Posted

Okay, so a buddy of mine told me of the best way in the world to change power steering fluid. Requires no special tools or equipment, just get a gallon of Power Steering Fluid (Valvoline sells it) and a plastic cap (buy an assortment of vacuum line caps).

 

Jack Up/Support front of vehicle. Tires must be off the ground.

 

Remove return line to power steering fluid pump (it's the one without the pressure fitting, just a regular old hose clamp).

 

Quickly cap off the metal line on the power steering pump with a vacuum line cap.

 

Place end of return line into a mason jar. You might want to have a friend hold it there for you.

 

Fill power steering reservoir to the top.

 

With the engine off turn the steering wheel all the way in one direction until it hits full lock.

 

Notice how much dirty fluid has been spit into the mason jar.

 

Top off power steering reservoir.

 

Turn steering wheel all the way in the other direction.

 

Top off power steering reservoir.

 

Repeat this procedure until the fluid comes out clean. It took me about 3 quarts.

 

One complete set of turns of the wheel (from lock to lock) will bring the power steering fluid level down from the top of the reservoir to approximately a good "Fill Cold" point. Be sure to check the level to make sure.

 

My steering feels great now. Definitely a noticeable differnce. Also, it's nearly silent. I would recommend it to all.

  • 4 weeks later...
00Silverado4x4 Senior Enthusiast

00Silverado4x4

Posted
Posted
Power steering fluid is one fluid that gets forgotten by most.

 

Thanks for the change out info.

 

 

Tell me about it. I'm not super religious about checking fluids but always before long trips or towing. Unfortunately I haven't had the pleasure lately so after my steering started acting up I looked at everything except, of course, the fluid level. I checked it tonight, along with all the others...what do you know, low power steering fluid. Added fluid, problems solved. Apparently I've forgotten that a few times since I do know this truck has needed a bit of fluid here & there over the years. DUH!!!!

jro909 Senior Enthusiast

jro909

Posted
Posted

i was going to try the turkey baster method(i don't have jacks, and don't feel like cribbing my truck up) but i was told GM dosen't recommend touching the p/s fluid...and i'm afraid if i change some of it that it will increase of my risk of a leaky rack

ifshinxs Enthusiast

ifshinxs

Posted
Posted

Every other year or so I just suck all the fluid out of the reservoir and refill.

 

 

+1

  • 4 months later...
cmoore74 Enthusiast

cmoore74

Posted
Posted

Getting ready to drain and refill the power steering fluid this summer and I found this procedure:

 

http://www.thetruckstop.us/forum/showthread.php?27506-Any-suggestions-for-synthetic-power-steering-fluid

 

Any chance of damaging the pump running it dry even if you shut it off right away?

 

Getting ready to drain and refill the power steering fluid this summer and I found this procedure:

 

http://www.thetrucks...-steering-fluid

 

Any chance of damaging the pump running it dry even if you shut it off right away?

 

 

The procedure is a little more than half way down the page...

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.4k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,840
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    appletrav
    Newest Member
    appletrav
    Joined

  • Who's Online   1 Member, 0 Anonymous, 483 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • newdude
      2 speed transfer case optional now?

      By newdude · Posted

      This is a 1/2 ton thing ONLY.  All HDs 2020-2026 have the two speed transfer case, with Autotrac as an option.     1/2 tons 2019-2026, regular 4x4s come with a single speed case (no 4LO!), and trucks with Z71 ordered, or all Trail Boss trucks come with the 2 speed case.  2 speed case is also an option on WT, and is also standard on High Country.  
    • newdude
      Different requirements for oil filters?

      By newdude · Posted

      2013 5.3 still to this day calls for the PF48 filter.  Which as a 15psi bypass pressure.     There is a TSB, 17-NA-157 that talks about the PF-63 and PF-64 filters which have a higher bypass rating of 22psi.    TSB HERE - temp.xml   "Beginning in 2012, the oil pumps began to regulate main gallery feedback instead of pump out pressure. This means that the oil pump now does not begin to regulate until pressure is built up to the main gallery. This change reduces the amount of time it takes to provide oil to the engine bearing and lifters during extreme cold start conditions.  Main gallery feedback oil pump control systems are present on the following engine families which use Spin-on oil filters: Small Gas Engine (SGE), Large Gas Engine (LGE), High Feature (HFV6) Gen2 and Small Block Gen5 gasoline engines. These engines with the main gallery feedback oil pump control systems are factory built with an ACDelco® oil filters"   It also calls out what engines use those filters.  The gen 4 small blocks were not on that list (LMG, LC9, L9H, L92, L94, L20, L96).  Gen 5 small blocks use the higher pressure filter.          That all said...   Your 7045 Napa filter is the PF63 equivalent, with 22psi bypass.  You are already using the higher bypass pressure filter.  You CAN keep using it, you don't technically have to use it though.  
    • Grumpy Bear
      Different requirements for oil filters?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Do you know WHY the filter relief setting was increased to 22 psig?    When the new system goes into the second stage the pump volume ramps up considerably. It was found that the 15 psi filter bypass setting put the filter in bypass on a warm engine when the second stage was activated. Raising the filter bypass setting forced the filter to do what it designed to do. Filter. Preventing debris from circulating during high load, high rpm operation.    So next question is how did GM find this out? VLOM/lifter failures and a deep dive by Melling Corp.    Last question. Is it required? Look at it like this; a motor may be equipped with a rev limiter. But it only works if the set point in reached. That 22 psig setting only matters if the pressure differential across the filter media exceeds 15 psig during normal warm operation. Second stage kicks in around 3000-3500 rpm.    I can't answer your question because I don't know you and how you use the truck. But I think there is enough information here to let you decide for yourself. 😉
    • Coastie05
      give me some tips to make my truck look better

      By Coastie05 · Posted

      Go back to OEM wheels. 
    • newdude
      2020 Trailboss 6.2 replacement

      By newdude · Posted

      Probably not their first rodeo, so it should go as planned most likely.  Typically the service manager or tech doing the swap will put some seat time to shake it down after they get it all put back together.  We usually put 50-100mi before we hand them back so if something happens, its not after you get it.  A coolant leaks, oil leaks, a ground left off or loose, vibration, etc.     The new engines so far have been good?  There's been a couple that have popped out there again (the replacement engine) but most have been okay.  

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...