Last edit by: IB Advertising
See related guides and technical advice from our community experts:
Browse all: Steering and Suspension
- How to Change Power Steering Fluid
Step by step instructions for do-it-yourself repairs
Browse all: Steering and Suspension
Power steering fluid change--incremental method
#31
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for this write up. I did the complete drain and fill today by unhooking the line under the car. I filled mine with Lucas and some toyota atf b/c my pump was leaking before so it is worth a try with some Lucas in it
#33
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: FL
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is theToyota ATL Type T-IV the same ATF Dexron II/Dexron III
The only synthetic PSF i would use is Red Line Power Steering Fluid, it exceeds Dexron II/IIE standards:
http://www.redlineoil.com/products_c...p?productID=67
http://www.redlineoil.com/products_c...p?productID=67
Apreciate for your advice.
#34
Did this on my sc a long time ago as well, bought a suction pump, topped the reservoir, fully turned the steering wheel a few times, sucked out most of the fluids (not all), refill the reservoir. I did this a few times and it was clean afterwards. Took 10 min
#35
Change Power Steering Fluid while engine is running
My understanding is that when the engine is running, the power steering fluid is constantly flowing through the reservoir (and through the tubes of the entire power steering system).
So, using a total of approximately one quart of Toyota T4 ATF, I just did about 5 to 6 "suck" and "fill" of the fluids in the reservoir (using the Mix-MIzer, available at WalMart) while the engine is running.
Each time during this process, I also turned the steering wheel from L to R, R to L, to get rid of any possible air bubbles (I actually think this was not necessary because doing it this way, air never enters the system).
After using about one quart of ATF (5 to 6 suck and fill), the fluid in the reservoir became pretty pink and clean, so I stopped.
A story about Lexus dealership ... and this may be typical ...
I have owned this 93 LS since new. Except for oil changes, I have always serviced my car at the Lexus dealership where I bought my car. During that 18 years, the power steering pump has been replaced two or three times (very expensive each time because it's the dealership). I looked over my records more carefully this week, and now realize that they probably have never changed my power steering fluids. They do change or flush all other fluids at regular intervals, but for some reason never the power steering fluid.
A question for the forum: If I always keep the power steering fluid clean, will this translate to a much longer life for the power steering pump/system?
I started paying much more attention to the transmission fluids as well. I have started doing the two-quarts of drain-and-fill much more frequently to keep that fluid nice pink and clean.
So, using a total of approximately one quart of Toyota T4 ATF, I just did about 5 to 6 "suck" and "fill" of the fluids in the reservoir (using the Mix-MIzer, available at WalMart) while the engine is running.
Each time during this process, I also turned the steering wheel from L to R, R to L, to get rid of any possible air bubbles (I actually think this was not necessary because doing it this way, air never enters the system).
After using about one quart of ATF (5 to 6 suck and fill), the fluid in the reservoir became pretty pink and clean, so I stopped.
A story about Lexus dealership ... and this may be typical ...
I have owned this 93 LS since new. Except for oil changes, I have always serviced my car at the Lexus dealership where I bought my car. During that 18 years, the power steering pump has been replaced two or three times (very expensive each time because it's the dealership). I looked over my records more carefully this week, and now realize that they probably have never changed my power steering fluids. They do change or flush all other fluids at regular intervals, but for some reason never the power steering fluid.
A question for the forum: If I always keep the power steering fluid clean, will this translate to a much longer life for the power steering pump/system?
I started paying much more attention to the transmission fluids as well. I have started doing the two-quarts of drain-and-fill much more frequently to keep that fluid nice pink and clean.
#36
Maintenance Moderator
iTrader: (2)
My understanding is that when the engine is running, the power steering fluid is constantly flowing through the reservoir (and through the tubes of the entire power steering system).
So, using a total of approximately one quart of Toyota T4 ATF, I just did about 5 to 6 "suck" and "fill" of the fluids in the reservoir (using the Mix-MIzer, available at WalMart) while the engine is running.
Each time during this process, I also turned the steering wheel from L to R, R to L, to get rid of any possible air bubbles (I actually think this was not necessary because doing it this way, air never enters the system).
After using about one quart of ATF (5 to 6 suck and fill), the fluid in the reservoir became pretty pink and clean, so I stopped.
A story about Lexus dealership ... and this may be typical ...
I have owned this 93 LS since new. Except for oil changes, I have always serviced my car at the Lexus dealership where I bought my car. During that 18 years, the power steering pump has been replaced two or three times (very expensive each time because it's the dealership). I looked over my records more carefully this week, and now realize that they probably have never changed my power steering fluids. They do change or flush all other fluids at regular intervals, but for some reason never the power steering fluid.
A question for the forum: If I always keep the power steering fluid clean, will this translate to a much longer life for the power steering pump/system?
I started paying much more attention to the transmission fluids as well. I have started doing the two-quarts of drain-and-fill much more frequently to keep that fluid nice pink and clean.
So, using a total of approximately one quart of Toyota T4 ATF, I just did about 5 to 6 "suck" and "fill" of the fluids in the reservoir (using the Mix-MIzer, available at WalMart) while the engine is running.
Each time during this process, I also turned the steering wheel from L to R, R to L, to get rid of any possible air bubbles (I actually think this was not necessary because doing it this way, air never enters the system).
After using about one quart of ATF (5 to 6 suck and fill), the fluid in the reservoir became pretty pink and clean, so I stopped.
A story about Lexus dealership ... and this may be typical ...
I have owned this 93 LS since new. Except for oil changes, I have always serviced my car at the Lexus dealership where I bought my car. During that 18 years, the power steering pump has been replaced two or three times (very expensive each time because it's the dealership). I looked over my records more carefully this week, and now realize that they probably have never changed my power steering fluids. They do change or flush all other fluids at regular intervals, but for some reason never the power steering fluid.
A question for the forum: If I always keep the power steering fluid clean, will this translate to a much longer life for the power steering pump/system?
I started paying much more attention to the transmission fluids as well. I have started doing the two-quarts of drain-and-fill much more frequently to keep that fluid nice pink and clean.
Clean fluids typically mean a longer life, though power steering pumps are subject to a lot of abuse... When a pump is changed, 75% or more of the fluid is changed as well - there is almost no way to reasonably change a pump without draining the reservoir completely... Power steering fluid, in theory, should last the life of a car, well, when a cars life was 100k, that was probably true... in todays world though, it should probably be replaced much more often than that... just because manufacturers don't say it should be done doesn't mean its a bad idea to do it!
#37
I am currently using the "Quick/Incremental Method" as SeattleGS400 reffers to it. I have done this four times as of this writing, using Amsoil Univeral Synthetic ATF. I'm using the hyperdermic needle-like device "the-miximizer" to extract the old/mixed fluid from the resivior. The initial batch that I had removed looked somewhat cloudy and more like thick power steering fluid, not ATF. This only after 3 years. The later batches that I have removed look very red in color as the new fluid is added to the system.
#39
According to Amsoil, their Universal Synthetic ATF meets or exceeds Toyota ATF Type TIV requirements while being more resistant to oxidation and breakdown than the petroleum based TIV. Their site also recommends their ATF for Lexus/Toyota Power steering systems.
#40
Maintenance Moderator
iTrader: (2)
All Toyotas call for Dexron based (3, IIRC) transmission fluid for the power steering system. Reasoning is simple - the big difference between Dexron and T4 fluid is that T4 has a friction modifier additive in it. Aside from that, they are essentially the same / similar. This friction modifier is not necessary for power steering, so, putting T4 fluid in the power steering system is not necessary. Personally, I use Mobil1 multi-vehicle synthetic transmission fluid, both in the transmission and power steering reservoir... I figure if Mobil makes the OEM T4 fluid, why not...
#41
#42
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Ok
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hey guys, I just flushed my power steering fluid today using the "full method". I would highly recommend doing it this way. Me and my friend were able to do it 30 minutes. If I were to do it again, I could prolly do it in 15 minutes, its very easy. I did have one problem thought, I guess i let ALOT of air into the PS system, so the first time I started the it sounded terrible and it sounded worse whenver I turned. So after a few rounds around the block and another 1/2 quart of Dextron II, my power steering is perfect. Even when I max it out it is silent. The steering is lighter, the pump is silent, and I feel secure about my power steering pump with 109xxx miles on it. Just remember to bleed your PS system ALOT after you do this, and make sure to buy 2 quarts of power steering fluid.
Good luck
PS. If you've got any questions about how to do this feel free to PM me.
Good luck
PS. If you've got any questions about how to do this feel free to PM me.
#43
Incremental method has kept the power steering and steering rack system of my 23 year old, 301,000 mile Corolla troublefree.
No need to perform the risky, troubleprone "full method" IMHO
No need to perform the risky, troubleprone "full method" IMHO
#44
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Head & Shoulder Shampoo Pump
Hi,
Here's a suggestion that works really great, is faster, cleaner and easier. I used the hand pump from an old bottle of Head & Shoulders Shampoo. I took apart the pump, easy to do as pulls apart - then washed all remnants of shampoo out of the pump, then put back together.
The clear tube at the bottom of the pump is about ten inches long, diameter is small enough to fit inside the power steering reservoir, to the bottom. Then I found an small deep old empty cardboard box. Placed two (2) layers of plastic grocery bag inside and placed a couple sheets of newspaper shaped into a funnel inside, then discarded shredded paper (from shredded documents) on the bottom and a couple inches of "clumping cat litter."
Removed power steering reservoir cover and stuck bottom tube of hand pump in, positioned cardboard box with prepared contents. Then pumped the old fluid out in about ten seconds. Removed pump and let sit in box for a minute to drain out, then folded newspaper inside cardboard box and disposed in rubbish can with regular trash.
The clumping cat litter absorbs the fluid and will be rock hard and dry within a couple hours.
Here's a suggestion that works really great, is faster, cleaner and easier. I used the hand pump from an old bottle of Head & Shoulders Shampoo. I took apart the pump, easy to do as pulls apart - then washed all remnants of shampoo out of the pump, then put back together.
The clear tube at the bottom of the pump is about ten inches long, diameter is small enough to fit inside the power steering reservoir, to the bottom. Then I found an small deep old empty cardboard box. Placed two (2) layers of plastic grocery bag inside and placed a couple sheets of newspaper shaped into a funnel inside, then discarded shredded paper (from shredded documents) on the bottom and a couple inches of "clumping cat litter."
Removed power steering reservoir cover and stuck bottom tube of hand pump in, positioned cardboard box with prepared contents. Then pumped the old fluid out in about ten seconds. Removed pump and let sit in box for a minute to drain out, then folded newspaper inside cardboard box and disposed in rubbish can with regular trash.
The clumping cat litter absorbs the fluid and will be rock hard and dry within a couple hours.