HELP! put BRAKE fluid in POWER Steering!!

[bobby999gib]

ive just done this and driven about 10 miles! what shall i do?! what will happen?!!?!

[curtis73]

what car? what year? details so we can help

[beef_bourito]

couldn't you just drain the fluids and replace them? i wouldn't think it would do extensive damage to the power steering over that small period of time.

[curtis73]

Nor do I, but getting all the fluid out of a steering system is like trying to get all the tranny fluid out of an automatic by just pulling the pan. So many nooks and crannies.

I might pull the lines, drain the reservoir (but I can't say how since I don't know the car yet) and blow it out with an air gun, then refill with PS or ATF (again depending on the car) and run/bleed it, then drain and refill again to make sure.

The Brake fluid might eat some of the seals, but you're right it shouldn't have done any damage at all in that little bit of time.

[CBFryman]

wait...dont you put brake fluid in power steering? or is it Auto tranny fluid in power steering....i cant remember.

[public]

Originally Posted by CBFryman

wait...dont you put brake fluid in power steering? or is it Auto tranny fluid in power steering....i cant remember.

I have seen both done. Older cars, but I do not recall it ever causing damage.

[dimefury]

Originally Posted by CBFryman

wait...dont you put brake fluid in power steering? or is it Auto tranny fluid in power steering....i cant remember.

No, you use power steering fluid in PS systems

Brake fluid is one of the most caustic chemicals used in the auto industry and should be only used in brake and hydrolic clutch cylinders.

Getting all of the brake fluid out of your power steering is very hard, i have heard of people bleeding PS systems by disconnecting the fluid return line and turning the wheel back and forth. it isn't as effective as a brake bleed, but will work

DO NOT ALLOW PS RESIVOIR TO GO EMPTY

but get that shit out ASAP or its time for a new rack because it will eat your seals

[TheSilentChamber]

Who needs power steering anyway.

[CBFryman]

heh, people who drive front heavy vehicles or vehicles with big tires and like to get a parking spot you have to turn to pull into at walmart...

i drove my friends CRX HF that had no power steering, even with such a light car below 5mph turning sharp was a pain in the arse.

[balls_to_the_wall]

ATF in PS also works.

[LeBuick]

I wonder if this is a fluid grease monkey will flush?

[bobby999gib]

im in the UK, its a Peugeot 306! im gonna have a go myself what ya reckon? or as ive prob driven about 35miles now do i need to get it flushed out proffessionally???!

[dimefury]

Originally Posted by bobby999gib

im in the UK, its a Peugeot 306! im gonna have a go myself what ya reckon? or as ive prob driven about 35miles now do i need to get it flushed out proffessionally???!

If you have a place you can work on your car and a friend, I would try flushing it yourself frist. I don't like other people working on my car unless absoutely nessasary, and a shop will probably charge you lots of $$$$ for something you can probably handle yourself with a manual and hand tools. If you think that it is above your mechanical skill level, have a pro do it. I don't know Peugeots, so I don't know how difficult of a job it will be.

[bobby999gib]

ok thanks im gonna have a look at my car tonight see if i can do it. if anyone has any tips let me know!!!

[PBking82]

Yea all i would do is flush the entire system. Brake fluid is some really nasty stuff. I was helping a friend replace his rear end and he stripped one of the brake fitting and it starting shooting out brake fluid onto his driveway. Within like 15min the brake fluid had eating about a 2inch hole into the blacktop. Nasty nasty stuff. Peace-