Power Steering

[Xenon14]

I have a '95 Altima... the steering is not that smooth, so I want to change the liquid. I bought a new can, but I don't want to touch anything? How do I drain the old and pour the new? Thanks

 

[gittyup]

With power steering fluid, I think you have to suction out the old. I don't think there is an easy
way to drain it like engine oil...

 

[geno]

Maybe it'd be best if you brought it to a mechanic. Getting rid of the old fluid can be a pain - but if you really wanna change it - go for it. I doubt a 5 year old Nissan needs a power steering fluid change, but I could be wrong.

 

[Xenon14]

problem is, i drove other cars besides my own. My mom's nissan quest and my dad's honda accord; the steering is so much easier than mine. My car isn't bad, but I definetaly have to put energy into turning it, and i don't like to use 2 hands.

 

[vi edit]

It just might be the car. Some cars have "stiffer" turning than others. I know that my monte carlo has twice the resistance that my mystique has.

I highly doubt that changing the fluid will change this characteristic.

 

[classy]

Did you check to see if it needed fluid?

 

[perry]

Take a turkey baster, suck out all the old fluid to just above whatever lines connect to the resivoir. Fill it up. Drive around a mile or two. Cool the car down if necessary. Repeat 2 or 3 times to make sure you change the old fluild pretty good.

Don't let the fluid get beneath the lines or you'll introduce air into the system -- not good. If you do that, you'll have to bleed the system, and you'd better let a mechanic do that.

Throw the turkey baster away, or at least keep it out of the kitchen.

 

[Wangel]

Changing the fluid is not going to do anything. Your rack is out.

 

[Xenon14]

rack?

 

[Tominator]

Xenon14

First, don't ask me what it is called, but in all modern automobiles there is an electronic switch usually mounted on the steering column near the bottom. It senses the speed of the car and regulates the pressure to the steering.

I've NEVER seen worn out powersteering fluid.

 

[Soybomb]

Hmmmmm tominator I guess my 88 isn't that modern since it has no such item 😉

Anyway a fluid change isn't going to help most likely like the other said. Listen to wangel, you probably need a new steering rack. Take it to a mechanic and save yourself the time.

 

[Tominator]

Hey! My PU is a '77. An '88 is modern and a '95 is damn near new!😉