Power Steering

Hi

I've got a 96 Escort lx. I'm wondering how to perform a simple power steering flush, replacing old fluid with new fluid. How would i do that?


Thanks Chris

Have you tried doing a search on this? There are many, many posts on this here and in other Ford Forums within AF.

Have you tried doing a search on this? There are many, many posts on this here and in other Ford Forums within AF.

Yea I had, but there’s nothing really I can find. I've read about a syringe method by, sucking out all the dirty fluid and rotating the wheel each time, then pouring in the new fluid. Is that a easy good reliable way to do it?

You would get a better flush by opening one of the hose connections down low on the system. There is a high pressure hose from the pump to the steering assembly, which I would leave alona. But there is a low pressure hose down there that is clamped to the tube running back up behind the engine to the reservoir. If you undid the clamp and wiggled the hose off, you would have 'opened' the bottom of the system. Fluid would run out for a while; but you could hurry the process by starting the motor and letting it run for maybe 10 or 15 seconds. Then after putting that hose back onto the tube and replacing the clamp, you could start refilling the reservoir. I do this with the engine running, so it pumps all the air out of the system right away. The noise the pump makes will get a lot quieter when it has gotten the air out.
If you do this on a concrete floor, its likel you will have p.s. fluid spattered around. I do my work in a gravel driveway.

The only thing about starting the engine during a flush is that the p.s. fluid will get pumped out -fast and splashy-. If you were to drive around without p.s. fluid in the pump, it would damage the pump before long, due to running without lube on the pump internals. But running the engine for half a minute with the p.s. pump not having fluid in it wont hurt the pump at all.

The only thing about starting the engine during a flush is that the p.s. fluid will get pumped out -fast and splashy-. If you were to drive around without p.s. fluid in the pump, it would damage the pump before long, due to running without lube on the pump internals. But running the engine for half a minute with the p.s. pump not having fluid in it wont hurt the pump at all.


Alright thanks man, i'll look at it this weekend, lets hope the weather is good..

You would get a better flush by opening one of the hose connections down low on the system. There is a high pressure hose from the pump to the steering assembly, which I would leave alona. But there is a low pressure hose down there that is clamped to the tube running back up behind the engine to the reservoir. If you undid the clamp and wiggled the hose off, you would have 'opened' the bottom of the system. Fluid would run out for a while; but you could hurry the process by starting the motor and letting it run for maybe 10 or 15 seconds. Then after putting that hose back onto the tube and replacing the clamp, you could start refilling the reservoir. I do this with the engine running, so it pumps all the air out of the system right away. The noise the pump makes will get a lot quieter when it has gotten the air out.
If you do this on a concrete floor, its likel you will have p.s. fluid spattered around. I do my work in a gravel driveway.

Hi i checked it out, i see steel hoses connected to the reservoir by nuts are those the hoses you are talking about?. There is a couple on the bottom one on the top and anther one below across from the top one. Is that the one i disconnect?

any suggestions?

Are you having a steering problem?
If not, my suggestion is to leave it alone.

Don't take off the upper metal tube held on by a nut, that's the high pressure line. There should be a connection near the bottom of the reservoir that is a rubber hose. If you trace it, it will go to the front to the cooling loop in front of the radiator.

Why do you want to change the fluid? If the fluid has the symptoms of old age, dark, burnt smell, or your ps is noisy, I'd try the drain, flush, replace as denisond3 explained. I would think you would have more to gain than loose, but that's only based on what consensus I've gained from the AF.

Don't take off the upper metal tube held on by a nut, that's the high pressure line. There should be a connection near the bottom of the reservoir that is a rubber hose. If you trace it, it will go to the front to the cooling loop in front of the radiator.

Why do you want to change the fluid? If the fluid has the symptoms of old age, dark, burnt smell, or your ps is noisy, I'd try the drain, flush, replace as denisond3 explained. I would think you would have more to gain than loose, but that's only based on what consensus I've gained from the AF.

Hi my bad, i was mistaking the brake fluid reservoir for the power steering
reservoir, very stupid lol. The power steering fluid is very black, burnt and its kinda hard to steer the wheel. I'll look at the hoses today and let you guys know..

Thanks

hi i checked it out theres 2 hoses with metal clamps. So i remove the hose underneath the high pressure hose thats on top, correct?

Hi just to confirm, I release the bottom power steering hose and the fluid should leak out, correct? and is there any precautions I should take for not making a big mess?

You could drain the reservoir by disconnecting the lower hose that is held on with a clamp. I don't think you have a PS cooler, but if you did that may be a better place to catch the pumped out fluid. You may want to put an extension on the return line that goes to the bottom of the psp reservoir. Clamping or other means of securing the line to your container is a good idea so the hose doesn't whip around. When removing this hose, let it all drain out and maybe use a cooking baster or syringe to draw out the last of the old fluid. You need to jamb something like a rubber vacuum cap inside the disconnected psp connection. Then fill the psp reservoir with new fluid and run it as outlined below. I like this method better than what they spec for flushing the psp. They both accomplish the same thing, but I don't why they are different. This one is much easier and more convenient.

Ford Service Manual

Flushing

Flush the steering gear when installing a repaired power steering pump (3A674).

1. Install the new pump and connect only the power steering pressure hose (3A719) to the power steering pump. Tighten the power steering pressure hose fitting to 28-33 N-m (21-25 lb-ft).

2. Place the power steering return hose (3A713) from the steering gear in a suitable container and plug the reservoir return tube.

3. Fill the power steering pump auxiliary reservoir (3E764) with Premium Power Steering Fluid E6AZ-19582-AA or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESW-M2C33-F.

4. Disconnect the distributor electrical connectors to prevent the engine (6007) from starting and raise the front wheels (1007) off the ground.

5. CAUTION: Avoid excessive cranking. The battery (10655) will be drained and the starter motor (11002) damaged.

CAUTION: Do not hold the steering wheel (3600) against a stop for more than three to five seconds at a time.

While pouring approximately 1.89 liters (2 qts.) of power steering fluid into the power steering pump auxiliary reservoir, crank the engine. At the same time, cycle the steering wheel from stop-to-stop.

6. After all of the fluid has been added, turn off the ignition and connect the distributor electrical connector.

7. Remove the plug from the reservoir return tube and attach the power steering return hose to the power steering pump auxiliary reservoir.

8. Check the reservoir fluid level and, if necessary, add fluid to the proper level.

9. Lower the vehicle.

10. Start the engine and cycle the steering wheel from stop-to-stop to expel any trapped air from the system.

thank you guys for all the help..I'll post a couple pics of my car a little later

Sorry guys been reading through all the posts in this thead and a little confused here. There's 2 hoses leading out from the ps reservoir. One leading in front of the engine where the radator is and one leading behind the engine manifold near the drivers side connected with a nut to i believe the ps pump?.

Which is the high and low pressure hose.

The high pressure line is the one that screws into the pump on the backside of the pump (facing the exhaust manifold) with a hex nut. From there it runs up close to the side of the radiator, above the alternator (where there should be a metal joint in the line that allows the line to swivel), then toward the back of the engine compartment and down - to the steering rack.
The low pressure line is the one that is clamped onto the side of the p.s. pump with a small hose clamp. That low pressure line runs between the p.s. reservoir & the pump. It 'returns' the p.s. fluid to the pump. The other line connected to the p.s. fluid reservoir comes from the other fitting on the power steering rack. Its the low pressure 'return' line for the fluid from the rack.
If you go to undo the fitting where the low pressure line is clamped onto the side of the p.s. pump - be gentle taking it off. The outside of the p.s. pump is a plastic housing, and the connection for the hose can break if you twist the hose too hard. I always encourage it off carefully with a small screwdriver blade.

And this is the diagram (http://www.freewebs.com/selectron/images-over-1024x768/97-Escort-ps-hoses.gif) for the hoses on the '97, if it's any help.

The high pressure line is the one that screws into the pump on the backside of the pump (facing the exhaust manifold) with a hex nut. From there it runs up close to the side of the radiator, above the alternator (where there should be a metal joint in the line that allows the line to swivel), then toward the back of the engine compartment and down - to the steering rack.
The low pressure line is the one that is clamped onto the side of the p.s. pump with a small hose clamp. That low pressure line runs between the p.s. reservoir & the pump. It 'returns' the p.s. fluid to the pump. The other line connected to the p.s. fluid reservoir comes from the other fitting on the power steering rack. Its the low pressure 'return' line for the fluid from the rack.
If you go to undo the fitting where the low pressure line is clamped onto the side of the p.s. pump - be gentle taking it off. The outside of the p.s. pump is a plastic housing, and the connection for the hose can break if you twist the hose too hard. I always encourage it off carefully with a small screwdriver blade.

Thanks its a good thing i confirmed again..because according to your post i was about to take off the high pressure line..
So the low pressure line is the one going from the reservoir to the psp pump infront of the engine beside the radatator correct?..It looks like its going to be very tricky hence i cant get any bowl or anything in that small space. What i can do is use a water bottle and as soon as i un-clamp the hose put it in the water bottle, but well there be fluid spitting out from the plastic psp that it was clamped on to?

And this is the diagram (http://www.freewebs.com/selectron/images-over-1024x768/97-Escort-ps-hoses.gif) for the hoses on the '97, if it's any help.

It does since the 96 and 97 engines are very similarly.

Thanks

hi guys

I was just trying to find away to flush my psp fluid. There's no way i can get to the low pressure hose clamped to the psp pump due to the alternator blocking it and not enough room to even put my hand down there..
I'm not sure how you guys got to do it as its impossible on my side.
The only way i see is the syringe method.

If the alternator is in the way, remove the alternator.

Yes, either remove the alternator, or unbolt the passenger side motor mount, and use a jack (with a block of wood to prevent cracking) under the pan, and try to push the motor back a little at the top. It IS hard to work in there. You just have to remove enough of the stuff that is in the way.
For one thing, you unbolt the high pressure p.s. fluid hose where it is attached to the alternator. In order to take the alternator out (which means the serpentine belt has to come off) out I found it was worth my while to remove the passenger side headlamp. And to do that, you have to remove the grille and the passenger side turn signal. While the headlamp was out I used penetrating oil to free up the headlamp adjusters - both of which were stuck.
And since its likely you will have p.s. fluid spattered around that area, you would want to clean that side of the engine when you are done. I remove the splash shields on the bottom first - which required a lot of patience the first time, due to rusted bolts.
There isnt anything wrong with the method where you siphon the old fluid out of the reservoir either.

Since I am not personally acquainted with your year Escort, looking at the PS system diagram that Denisond3 posted, I would think disconnecting the low pressure return hose to the reservoir from the steering gear box would be the way to go. You will need to plug this port to add new fluid as you pump out the old fluid. A vacuum plug may be the right size. Leave the hose to the pump on so that you can add new fluid as the old fluid is pumped out. Certainly sucking out what you can would help. Keep adding fluid until it comes out clean and new looking. You will also want to turn the steering wheel from stop to stop a few times to be sure you get all of the old fluid out. You will probably want to add an extension hose to the one off the reservoir. Something bigger that will go over the PS hose and can be clamp or duct taped on as it will blast off, or use close to or the same size ID hose with a hose connector or solid tube that will fit snugly inside and with clamps. Then clamp the long hose to a bucket or like. It might be like a loose fire hose so be sure it is well secured. When you crank the engine, you'll want to disarm the ignition system or fuel system by disconnecting the fuse or relay for them or the high tension wire from the coil to the distributor or the primary ignition connector to the coil if distributor-less.

Again, my approach is theoretical and may be entirely impractical, but it's the way the Ford service manual states how to do it for the 95 as I previously put in post #14. I'm not sure why you would want to disconnect the high pressure side of the pump unless you aren't going to run the pump with it off. That would be dangerous if you do.

Make this brief. Siphon the fluid out with a turkey baster and refill every time you change your oil. After 3 or 4 times the fluild will be clear. I say this from experience. If you try to change it all at once you are going to get air in the system which will be hard to get out without a vacuum pump. Air is not good on the pump.

thanks guys..i'm just going to Siphon the fluid out since i'm not comfortable taking the alternator as well as the belt off. Just to confirm
Everytime i siphon fluid out i turn the well back and forth 3-4 times, then put in new fluid each time until clear?

It takes a while for the fluid to mix with the old. It won't mix until you have driven it for a while. That's why I say do it every time you change the oil. Just turning the wheel lock to lock a few times won't get it to mix.

Thanks davescort, i think thats the best way for now.

First off, you are only supposed to run the car for a few seconds at a time when doing the refill. Even after doing that, I still had foam in mine, and I left the car overnight and when I came back all the bubbles had popped. i did mine afer a wreck where the reservior was puncured and I had to replace it, but if I were flushing it like you intend to, I'd use a siphon or a MityVac to get as much as I could out, then refill and repeat this several times. The hoses at the reservior are easy enough to remove, but difficult to get to.