Power Steering Fluid

Hi all.

I checked the power steering fluid the other day and I noteced that it looked quite old.

I was wondering if any you knew how to change it and/or if special tool are required.

The car is a 01 Ranger 2.5L 2WD.
I've read that this cars have a very sensible power steering system.

Normally they have a hose with a hose clamp on the return line drain it refill then drain it again to get the rest of the fluid. Make sure you use proper fluid and turn the wheel all the way on both sides to bleed it out.

This thread is a little old, but it addresses a current problem that I have.

My power steering fluid on my 2000 ford ranger (I4) is old and really needs to be flushed. I had been thinking of following the procedure below, but I'm concerned about getting air in the system and so getting the "power steering whine/shake".

Is it safer to just do the: "suck the old fluid out, then add new fluid multiple times" approach or would the approach below be the better one? Also, which one of the lines is the return line from the cooling fins?

Thanks for your help!

Best Regards,
Stan


Normally they have a hose with a hose clamp on the return line drain it refill then drain it again to get the rest of the fluid. Make sure you use proper fluid and turn the wheel all the way on both sides to bleed it out.

The return line has a hose clamp and the high pressure line requires a 5/8 line wrench or open end.

I've never heard of anyone even talk about changing the PS fluid much less doing it. You're getting ready to fix something that isn't broken. Breaking into a closed system and risking breaking it does'nt make a lot of sense to me. My wife had a hose break on her Mercury Sable before we got married. She took it to get repaired. Apparently the hose repair went well but when they refilled and bled the air the steering went haywire. $450 later with a new rack and pinion it still had problems.

Flushing the PS fluid is a risk. But, it does have advantages. Transmission and PS fluids are designed to: clean, lubricate, hold dirt in suspension, and of course provide a fluid torque conversion function. Flushing the fluid just allows the old gunk to be taken out.

I decided to go with the turkey baster approach. Sucked out and replaced the fluid twice and it seems to be be pretty good now (previously it was black, now its red). I'd do the replacement a third time tonight and then I'm done. It's really simple--takes 5 mintue at most.

Best Regards,
Stan


I've never heard of anyone even talk about changing the PS fluid much less doing it. You're getting ready to fix something that isn't broken. Breaking into a closed system and risking breaking it does'nt make a lot of sense to me. My wife had a hose break on her Mercury Sable before we got married. She took it to get repaired. Apparently the hose repair went well but when they refilled and bled the air the steering went haywire. $450 later with a new rack and pinion it still had problems.