When to get a power steering flush?

[JEDI]

mazda3, 100k miles

the car manual doesnt list power steering fluid on the maintenance schedule.

i took a look at the power steering resovior and it looks dark dingy yellow.

$100 to get it flushed at my local Valvoline oil change place.

Yeah/nay?

 

[herm0016]

only if it leaked or you have water in the fluid, otherwise its snake oil.

 

[SSSnail]

I changed mine out at 60K, along with new set of plugs, trans and diff oil, but according to the resident experts, I'm wasting my money... Whatever.

 

[JEDI]

only if it leaked or you have water in the fluid, otherwise its snake oil.

why?

power steering fluid doesnt break down like coolant or transmission fluid?

 

[herm0016]

change maybe, but no need to do a Valvoline flush, which i am thinking means they try to do some sort of cleaning of the system. power steering fluid is only a few dollars a quart. it is also bad to have air in the system, just like any other hydraulic line. i would use a baster or some other device to drain most of the fluid out of the reservoir and then re-fill if you are going to do it.

 

[SSSnail]

It's a fairly simple affair, suck ot the old, fill new fluid up to level, turn the wheel a few times, repeat the drain and refill process until fluid looks new. Shouldn't take you more than ten minutes.

 

[JEDI]

how do you take out the old fluid?
use hose + gravity like siphoning gas from a car?

and repeat drain/refill?

 

[SSSnail]

how do you take out the old fluid?
use hose + gravity like siphoning gas from a car?

and repeat drain/refill?

Turkey baster.

 

[thescreensavers]

Yea you could do the gravity thing but its kinda primative ha.

Change it when its dark imo. Mine uses atf so its cheap. 1 quart changes the fluid reseviour 5 times for me.

 

[Vette73]

I would not say its a waste, but I would not pay for a flush.

What has been said is a good way to go at it. Suck out old fluid and add new. If its really dirty you can remove the hose and drain the container completly.

I did do a homemade flush for my SiLs audi. Add fluid while return hose goes to bucket. Did this to remove the overpriced stuff and flush with M1 trans fluid. But only did this due to not wanting to mix and also there was probelm with the steering system, ANOTHER well known problem in the audi world.

 

[desy]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/glob...-my-cars-power-steering-fluid/article1860362/

Under normal circumstances, the power steering fluid installed at the time the vehicle is built will last a lifetime, often 250,000 kilometres or more.

It is not a “normal” maintenance or service item unless listed as such in the owner’s manual or associated literature provided by the manufacturer. Having said that, if there has been any damage to or service of the power steering pump or related components, like lines, there is a possibility of minute particles in the fluid, which can be harmful, and a flush may be necessary. The same holds true if there has been any contamination by another fluid or moisture.

Many dealerships and serve shops have expensive “flush” machine that can be used for transmission and power steering service. This can be done relatively inexpensively and easily and will do no harm. But it is not necessary in most cases. The fluid itself may look dirty or discolored leading to the impression it needs replacement, but within hours of that service the new fluid will be similarly discolored.