Power Steering Fluid Change
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1996 (Built'95)
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Petrol
Power Steering Fluid Change
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.
And any suggestion on a particular Brand/Model of PS Fluid people might have used successfully which is available in Australia.
- What is the correct way to check PS fluid level?
- 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....?
- 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.
#2
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,971
Received 1,559 Likes
on
1,263 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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.
And any suggestion on a particular Brand/Model of PS Fluid people might have used successfully which is available in Australia.
- What is the correct way to check PS fluid level?
- 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....?
- 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.
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.
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1996 (Built'95)
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Petrol
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.
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.
#4
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,971
Received 1,559 Likes
on
1,263 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Quart is good for about 2 fills of the reservoir.
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mid-Mich.
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
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.
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1996 (Built'95)
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Petrol
Anyway, I am still now sure on the following;
- How many time should I empty and refill the PS reservoir to be satisfied that all the PS fluid is out?
- 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?
- 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.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Midwest
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes
on
14 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
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.
Trending Topics
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1996 (Built'95)
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Petrol
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.
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
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1996 (Built'95)
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Petrol
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.
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.
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1996 (Built'95)
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Petrol
http://www.penriteoil.com.au/product...d_products=157
#12
Herp Derp Jerp
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Parham, ON
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes
on
12 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
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.
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/onl...om=60203#Cross
I believe ATF is acceptable, but don't quote me on that.
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1996 (Built'95)
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Petrol
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.
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/onl...om=60203#Cross
I believe ATF is acceptable, but don't quote me on that.
#14
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: florida
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
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.
So in short: how many more times do you have to flush it?
A) until its clean.
#15
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,971
Received 1,559 Likes
on
1,263 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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.
So in short: how many more times do you have to flush it?
A) until its clean.
How much car wash soap do I need to get my Jeep clean if I drive on dirt roads versus muddy roads?