saturnks

Hi, I am new to Jeep work and have been reading. My power steering level is a on low side when the jeep is cold and not running. I was planning to change the steering fluid and had following questions in mind.

1. What is the correct way to check PS fluid level?
2. I was going to use turkey baster method to suck out the old crap and refill the new PS Fluid, cap the reservoir and then idle the engine and play the steering like a kid left and right few times to get rid of the air. Question I have is to get all the old oil out, how many times will I need to suck out the old oil using the turkey baster 1,2,3....?
3. How much oil is needed for one time sucking the oil out and refilling the reservoir?

And any suggestion on a particular Brand/Model of PS Fluid people might have used successfully which is available in Australia.

cruiser54

Instructions for checking level are on the cap's dipstick.

Turkey baster method works well.

Have a quart of power steering fluid on hand at least.


And by the way, if more people did what you're planning on doing, there would be less power steering pump failures. My hat is off to you.

saturnks

Thanks for your comments, but my power steering cap does not mention anything. And, quart is enough for one time fill or multiple and how many does it takes to clean the whole system?

cruiser54

Underneath the cap should have the level marks. How have you been checking it?

Quart is good for about 2 fills of the reservoir.

colt44

I've used turkey-baster method and it works good. I put a old coffee can next to p/s pump and wedged it in there so I didn't have to go back and forth and drip everywhere. P/S dip-stick is really hard to read because it's black and you need to use a flashlight on it to really see good. I learned this trick here and at first thought it was bogus, but it's actually recommended on several other forums as well, but I'm not sure who first came up with it. Make sure you use dedicated p/s fluid and not brake fluid, and they're now making stop-leak and synthetic p/s fluid. Who know's if it's any better, but it ain't that much more expensive.

saturnks

@colt44, can you please explain the above step? I just went and bought 2L PS Fluid for $50 and was planning on flushing the PS fluid using turkey baster. But in your step above, it seems like unhook the PS reservoir and tip it into a cup? Am I correct?

Anyway, I am still now sure on the following;

1. How many time should I empty and refill the PS reservoir to be satisfied that all the PS fluid is out?
2. In between every PS reservoir empty and refill, is turning the steering left and right a *few* times is enough or should I go for a drive?
3. One of the members suggested 500ml is the capacity of the PS reservoir, is that correct?

Last, thanks for all your contributions so far, it is very helpful.

XJRed96

system size depends on whether or not you have a ps cooler. if it's a stock jeep probably not. you keep doing it till you run clean an even faster way than the baster is to pull the lower hose that goes to the pump drain the reservoir refill run for a little bit, drain refill until it runs clean or you run out of fluid. and to colt44 who would ever think brake fluid is a good substitute for ps fluid.

saturnks

Thanks XJRed96, if I follow you, you are saying two time emptying the reservoir, should do the trick. And reservoir capacity from what I have heard before is 500ml. So, roughly over a 1L should do the job here.

Also, when you say run a bit, do you mean go for a drive or just start the jeep and turn the wheel like a kid

saturnks

Need some help! I used turkey baster to suck out the old fluid and it seems the reservoir only holds 250ml, because with 1L fluid, I was able to empty and refill 4 times. Now, I have changed the fluid about 6 times so far, and every time I refill it I turn the wheel 3 times on each side and go for a small 5km drive around the street making sure I can turn everywhere possible. The fluid just goes charcoal mud color. Now how many more times would I need to do to get clear (green) fluid in the reservoir?

The PS Fluid is not cheap, its about $25 per litre and I have flushed 1.5L so far in 6 refill attempts. Would be good to know if what is the total amount of PS fluid in the system and how many times would I need to empty-fill the reservoir.

salad

What on earth manner of fluid are you using?

Power steering fluid here is $6.59/L and very light brown/gold.

saturnks

This is Australia, nothing is cheap. Local PS fluid from Penrite.
http://www.penriteoil.com.au/product...d_products=157

salad

That's some exotic stuff...
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/onl...om=60203#Cross

I believe ATF is acceptable, but don't quote me on that.

saturnks

Thanks, back to the original question. How many more time after 6 refill will the oil be clear? Has anyone done this and know the total quantity of PS fluid in a 1996 Cherokee Sport?

kikstand454

I don't think its a set quantity. Everytime you fill and flush, you're knocking more silt and gunk out of your system. So it doesn't matter how much it specifically takes.... its not done until you feel comfortable that the system is clean enough for you.

So in short: how many more times do you have to flush it?
A) until its clean.

cruiser54

Precisely.

How much car wash soap do I need to get my Jeep clean if I drive on dirt roads versus muddy roads?