power steering fluid change - Ford F150 Forum

kharkovnate · 10-21-2009, 12:34 PM

Happy Wednesday everyone. Sorry if there is already a write up on this. Trust me I have been looking all morning. I am fairly handy but just wanted to make sure I do this right. Truck has orginal power steering pump just has some really old fluid in it. I have a 93 F 150 302. Could anyone point me in the right direction. Just trying to put new fluid in. Any help or advice will be apprecieated (sp?)

mitchalvin · 10-21-2009, 02:13 PM

The way to change the power steering fluid as outlined by most pump manufactures is to jack and block both sides of the front axle, disconnect the return line, and then turn the steering wheel stop to stop with the engine off. After you get all the fluid you can then you start to fill the system in the same manner except now you want to keep adding fluid until the return is clean fluid, then replace the return line and continue untill you have no more fluid drop and no froth in the reservoir. Another good idea is to run some transtune in the power steering fluid before you go to drain it. Transtune is made by the same company as seafoam and designed for automatic transmission and other hydraulic systems.

kharkovnate · 10-21-2009, 02:26 PM

thank you for the fast response. One more question. Which line coming out of the power steering pump is the return line?

mitchalvin · 10-21-2009, 03:12 PM

The return line is usually held on with a hose clamp. The pressure line has the pressure fittings and goes to the power steering gear if yours is a 4X4 then you have a cooler in the front crossmember that the fluid goes to before returning to the pump.

kharkovnate · 10-21-2009, 05:38 PM

hey thanks again man that helps a lot

Mike S. · 10-26-2009, 02:21 PM

I've never drained and replaced my PS fluid, but since about 60 K mikes, at every oil change I suck out 4-6 oz of old fluid with a turkey baster and replace it with fresh fluid. Not as good as a change, but it gets some fresh fluid in there in a regular basis with no hassle.

**ymeski56** · 10-26-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitchalvin

The way to change the power steering fluid as outlined by most pump manufactures is to jack and block both sides of the front axle, disconnect the return line, and then turn the steering wheel stop to stop with the engine off. After you get all the fluid you can then you start to fill the system in the same manner except now you want to keep adding fluid until the return is clean fluid, then replace the return line and continue untill you have no more fluid drop and no froth in the reservoir. Another good idea is to run some transtune in the power steering fluid before you go to drain it. Transtune is made by the same company as seafoam and designed for automatic transmission and other hydraulic systems.

That was "Textbook"! Also, Transtune & Seafoam are the greatest things since Beer! Although Synthetic oil/fluids should be up for consideration too. If you should develop the famous "Ford P/S Whine" from catching some air, Jack both wheels off the ground & turn the steering back and forth (slowly), changing directions just before getting to the L&R stops.