Power Steering Fluid Change

[sherwoodsri]

What are anyone's thoughts as to when to change power steering fluid? At a certain interval? Based on appearance?

Mine's golden brown at 77,000 miles.

[sixtn39]

When in doubt, change it.

[Jerry O]

I take the easy way out and remove what I can get out of the reservoir with a turkey baster (about 1/3 of the total) and replace it at every other oil change and feel that it is surely enough service for a system which usually gets NO service, on most vehicles, since it is not a part of listed maintenance for most.

Jerry O.

[Willie Gee!]

^ that's a good rule of thumb, although overkill. you shouldn't have to change your power steering fuild that often.

But, you can tell if you are getting low because you will hear what sounds like a bad bearing in your fan belt pully. As soon as you put in honda PSF the noise will go away. Make sure yoou use Honda PSF, and not just generic fluid.

[hha27d]

i heard from a auto expert that this is never mentioned and a good rule of thumb is every 10 years.
i dont know about this but i think some people get obssessed and think about doind it too much. On a old car the fluid was hard to reach (and not wanting to take it to a shop and having it changed and pay a lot) i did the turkey baster method (at 100k) which conincidently fell at 10 years.

[Sloppy]

I do a complete change out of PS fluid every 50,000 miles on all my vehicles. Ditto with rear end and manual tranny oil.

I don't consider it overkill because it is easy to do and the fluid is cheap.

You can also use Bardhal (sp?) power steering fluid, found at most auto parts stores. It is specifically for Honda and no other.

I also change out brake fluid every 5 years.

[bbylon5]

Originally posted by Sloppy
I do a complete change out of PS fluid every 50,000 miles on all my vehicles. Ditto with rear end and manual tranny oil.

I don't consider it overkill because it is easy to do and the fluid is cheap.

You can also use Bardhal (sp?) power steering fluid, found at most auto parts stores. It is specifically for Honda and no other.

I also change out brake fluid every 5 years.

I do my PS fluid every 2 years since its only about $10-15 in fluid costs.

5 years is way to long to go for brake fluid now (with ABS).
Most manufacturers are recommending intervals from 2-3 years max. I myself get it done every 2. Of all the systems I want to work at its best its the brakes... Brake fluid is a water sponge and the longer you wait the lower the boiling point and the higher the rate of corrosion.

http://www.aa1car.com/library/bfluid.htm

[Sloppy]

Yea, I should change it more frequently but since I live in Cali I'm not too concerned about humidity or rain. And when I do it, it's a full caliper rebuild and flush. If you just rely on the bleeders you'll never get a full exchange or in case of a seal failure, your sediment out.

On the other hand, I change out the brake fluid on my bike every year and prior to a track day.

Fresh fluids = happy equipment

[overclock]

The PS fluid in my 1998 Escort is black and smells burnt. I've needed to change it since last summer but I just don't have the time and I didn't have the jackstands to put the car on to bleed the system after disassembly. When it warms up and the wind stops I'll be busy doing car maintenance for a month again. The Escort needs some SERIOUS TLC and the Ody will need another detailing.

[rkpatt]

I just flushed the PS pluid in my 2000LX at 69k miles . I used the honda stuff from Autozone ( Coastal Warren Unilube brand) . The original fluid hass sort of brown tint . The new fluid is clear . BTW, what temperature does PS fluid reach ? - Thanks

[gregcarper]

Just got done doing the power steering fluid change on a 2004 ODY. I ran the car on a short errand to get the fluid hot --- to Autozone to pick up 2 bottles of Costal Brand Honda Power Steering Fluid.

When I got back I loosened the small hose on bottom (which is the "hot" return from the pump) and the large tube from the resevoir and dumped it in a gatorade bottle. Then I ran the engine and tried to steer lock to lock (next to impossible once the fluid is gone).

Then I shutoff the engine and reconnected the hoses and refilled the resevoir.

Ran the engine again with lock to lock steering.. and then leveled off the resevoir ... then took it for a test drive....everything is working great.

Total cost - About $10... total time 30 minutes.

[chiody]

Originally posted by Sloppy
Yea, I should change it more frequently but since I live in Cali I'm not too concerned about humidity or rain. And when I do it, it's a full caliper rebuild and flush. If you just rely on the bleeders you'll never get a full exchange or in case of a seal failure, your sediment out.

On the other hand, I change out the brake fluid on my bike every year and prior to a track day.

Fresh fluids = happy equipment

I changed out the rotors too. Tended to crack on the long tracks (Riverside, Road America)....

[chiody]

Originally posted by Sloppy
I do a complete change out of PS fluid every 50,000 miles on all my vehicles. Ditto with rear end and manual tranny oil.

I don't consider it overkill because it is easy to do and the fluid is cheap.

You can also use Bardhal (sp?) power steering fluid, found at most auto parts stores. It is specifically for Honda and no other.

I also change out brake fluid every 5 years.

You do all the above on an Ody?

[pakcikkayo]

I've replaced the power steering fluid in the reservoir 4 times within these couple of weeks (using turkey baster). Used up about 3 and a half bottles of Honda Genuine Power Steering fluid. Drove around between the changes.

It still turn out black.
Should I be worried and do a complete drain? No weird sounds or issue withthe steering - just need to have fresh fluid (clear or golden instead of black/dark brown) for a peace of mind.

Is this normal for a 88k '03? I doubt it was ever been replaced before.

[Sloppy]

Your condition sounds normal -- it comes out dark even when done every few years.

There is quite a bit of fluid still in the power steering system and effectively you aren't trying to "change oil", but more "replenish the additives and viscocity" to an acceptable level such that you won't have a power steering failure prior to you getting rid of the vehicle.

There are countless vehicles out there that have never had their PS fluid changed so relax.

I personally use a vacuum pump to empty to res. then refill with the proper Honda-type fluid I get at Wally world.