I have never done this before. How easy is it to flush the power steering fluid? Do I need any special tools?

Thanks

 

Why the flush? If the fluid is pink and sweet smelling, you're wasting your time and money. Unless the system is badly contaminated I'd simply suck all the fluid from the reservoir and then refill it with new fluid. In my experience changing out all the steering fluid is hardly ever done unless a repair has been made.

If push comes to shove and you determine to change out the fluid, I'd suggest disconnecting one of the fluid cooler lines at the cooler, cap the line and connect a hand vacuum pump to the cooler port then suck out all the fluid. Reconnect the cooler line then refill the reservoir, jack up the front end so the wheels can be turned lock-to-lock, start the engine and begin adding new fluid while occasionally turning the wheels lock-to-lock. Continue the fill-turn routine until the fluid level stabilises in the reservoir at the fill line.
If someone has a better scheme, let's hear it.

 

Thanks for the addvice. I just figured like brake fluid it would be beneficial to do this. I think I'll leave this one alone, at least for now and just check the fluid every now and again.

 

Why the Flush...Because its a required maintenance in the owners manual.

 

In what model year did that procedure appear in the service schedule? Neither changing power steering fluid nor flushing the steering system is mentioned as required maintenance in either of the maintenance schedules for my '97 F150 or '94 LTC. Ford must have included it sometime since '97.

I want to get this straight in order to avoid giving bum advice.

 

X2. I do that Every 6 month's or so. No harem in keeping it fresh. It will increase the steering system life. Oil do deteriorate after time.

 

open power steering reservoir, remove old fluid (syphon pump ,syringe) fill with new fluid and close lid. start truck and turn wheels left/right a couple of times but do not turn steering wheel all the way. Repeat all of these steps one more time, maybe two. You should have new fluid in your power steering system by then.

 

Maybe not the best way, but here's how I do it.
First I remove the fill cap of the Power steering fluid reservor, I then pull off the hose conected to the bottom of the reservoir (while the trucks a little warm so the hose is soft) and I quickly put it into a 64 oz. soda cup from the gas station.
Hold hose into cup while reservoir is draining.
While holding the hose in the cup, I have someone start my truck and let it run for about 2 seconds and turn it off. About 1 more cup worth of fluid will come out of the hose.
Reconnect the hose.
Fill the reservoir (your truck probably calls for ATF not power steering fluid, check with FORD).
Start the truck and the level of fluid will go down. Turn off truck.
Fill fluid level again, Start the truck, turn wheels back and forth, turn off truck and fill again if needed.
Might not be the best way but I believe it changes all of the fluid.
Be carefull to pull the bottom hose strait down and don't pull at an angle at all. I broke the plasic piece that the hose connects to one of the times I did my flush and the reservoir cost's $65.00 at ford (still cheaper than paying a mechanic, I broke it on my 3rd flush). The reservoir is easy to install if you brake it.
Good luck

 

I'd like to find this in my 2003 manual, too. It's not there. I took my truck in for 65K service at a local Ford dealer in August before we made a road trip to California. 65K miles, mostly highway. The service rep told me my power steering needed a flush and that "it was in the yellow" status block (green yellow red). Ok, I made the trip, no problems, truck runs great, anyhow. I took it back in yesterday to rotate those big tires (bad back) and get an oil change: 70K miles. Another service rep told me the same thing about the power steering needing a flush. I had already read the above posts and also downloaded an updated 2003 manual from the Ford website, and read my manual 3 times. No mention of the power steering ever needing service. I told the rep that and she came back with "well, it's in the yellow, it needs service". I am no dummy. I take care of my truck, have had the xmission serviced at 30 and 60k as recommended, know about the differential issue and to look for noise at 45mph, etc, (( rep also said I should consider having the differential serviced, and that isn't in the book, either). I will either have the power steering flushed or follow some of the above recommendations and do it myself if it needs to be done. Someone please tell my why it has to be done. Has Ford started including it in their maintenance manuals? I've had a Windstar and Aerostar as personal vehicles, and a Mustang, Taurus, and Aerostar as work vehicles. I've never had the power steering flushed or told it needed that in any of those vehicles and never had any power steering problems. I felt like they were yanking my chain at the dealership and trying to make some $$ off me.
**I look forward to hearing expert and experienced opinions. That's why I joined this forum**

I just looked at some info on f150 dot net and I would think if nothing else, this could be an "age" issue. My truck will be 10 years old next summer. Maybe a flush next year, or DIY....

 

Any oil slash fluid breaks down. I love my 05 lariat but it is all original and over ten years old now. Did the brake fluid flush. Came out rather dark. What is another 8 dollars for the peace of mind and flush the steering fluid with some fresh max life fluid. It does say helps replenish seals. Prevent corrosion etc etc.