Fluid Change

[jfab1165]

I an new here and need to know if its time to do some service, and a little how to help.

 

I have a 2004 silverado Z71. 72K miles

 

I want to change out the power steering fluid. Should I pump out and replace the fluid. Drive it around and do it again. Or take in and let the dealer flush it, or can I do a complete exchange at home?

 

I had the transmission serviced at dealer at 50K. At 100K should I drop pan and relace filter and refill with new fluid or again take to dealer and give them some cash?

 

Brakes. at 72K i am still on original brakes. I may go ahead and change them out now so should I bleed the brakes and replace the fluid now as well. I can remove all fluid and replace with new. Then bleed all brakes while adding new fluid to keep fluid level up in container.

 

Were to find GM power steering fluid for the cheapest?

[Griffin86]

I an new here and need to know if its time to do some service, and a little how to help.

 

I have a 2004 silverado Z71. 72K miles

 

I want to change out the power steering fluid. Should I pump out and replace the fluid. Drive it around and do it again. Or take in and let the dealer flush it, or can I do a complete exchange at home?

 

I had the transmission serviced at dealer at 50K. At 100K should I drop pan and relace filter and refill with new fluid or again take to dealer and give them some cash?

 

Brakes. at 72K i am still on original brakes. I may go ahead and change them out now so should I bleed the brakes and replace the fluid now as well. I can remove all fluid and replace with new. Then bleed all brakes while adding new fluid to keep fluid level up in container.

 

Were to find GM power steering fluid for the cheapest?

 

If you have the tools and comfortable about it , I would change the tranny fluid myself. At the dealer I think they charge you like 150-175. Also you won't have to bleed the brakes when you replace the pads.. When you put new pads in you will have to push the pistons in and that will get you back to your original level. Have you bled the brakes before?

[95Sierra2500]

The only time it's necessary to bleed the brakes is if the fluid is old (we're talking 20 years or so) or if you get air in the lines. For example, my parents have a 1990 Suburban with almost 300k miles on it, and it's got the original brake fluid (some added as it's evaporated over time). It should have the fluid changed, but it still stops quite well.

[jfab1165]

How about the power steering fluid?I have never done my brakes, but I can do it. And on the tranny the same, but I was wondering if it was better to get full flush.

[bossier62guy]

How about the power steering fluid?I have never done my brakes, but I can do it. And on the tranny the same, but I was wondering if it was better to get full flush.

 

I've never replaced power steering fluid in any GM vehicle I've ever owned and I've never had one problem. I don't even think it's a recommended maintenance item in the technical manuals. If you had the tranny flushed at 50K miles you don't need to worry about that for a while.

[C & A s Dad]

I am not a fan of a so called "flush". Drop the pan, replace the filter and re fill. If you feel you want to replace all of the fluid instead of the 5 or 6 qts that drain with the pan drop, go to

Amsoils' website and they offer some really good instructions on doing this yourself. I did the flush according to their instructions and it was not hard at all.

 

Although it may not be necessary to change your PS fluid, if you do so, you will see some pretty nasty stuff come out of there. Disconnect the rtn line, place the end in a container and have someone crank the truck for about 2 to 3 seconds and stop it. Add some fluid to the res and do it again. I would then drive the truck making sure you make plenty of turns and repeat. Some people pull the fluid out with a large syringe, add new fluid, drive it and repeat a few times. You will see the fluid getting cleaner and cleaner with each drain.

 

PS Fluid is not expensive and you will nee apprx 3 qts to do this properly.

[jpringle3]

Grifin86 says when you push the pistons in the fluid level will come back to the original level. That is true "BUT" it also has a very good chance that it will destroy your ABS system. When you are doing the brakes and not changing the calipers, which I do not recommend, First thing is to release the bleed screw, If it breaks then you buy an exchange caliper and mount they are cheap, if they both open, then clamp the hoses and push the piston in and the fluid out. Fluid is cheap, Calipers are cheap, Brake problems are not. Just a thought

[CapitalTruck]

Man, every time you put on new brakes you replace the calipers!? I've never done that before (but then again, maybe I should).