I'm sitting at 105K and wondering if flushing my power steering fluid is worth it? Is it a real maintenance item and will it ease up the effort needed to turn the wheel. Mines not hard, or have rough spots but just wondering if you guys have done it and noticed a difference.

2009 NNBS ECSB 4x4 with stock sized 275 17s.

 

The fluid does break down over time. It wouldnt hurt and the whole system holds less than 3 quarts.

 

As mentioned, the fluid breaks down over time. When it does, it creates leaks and cause the hoses to deteriorate.

Definitely wouldn't hurt to do a little maintenance.

 

Most ps flush machines are nothing more than a fluid evacuator and a fill pump, that fill and remove fluid essentially at same time.... Not convinced they actually do anything, id say if youre gonna do it empty as much out of reservoir and rack/gearbox as you can and fill them back up a couple times....

 

Choda -


I did both of our GMC vehicles 1.5 years ago. Since we have a year 2 Acadia (2008), there was a TSB to flush the power steering system and replace with Dex6.

I also did the same on my Sierra, as others have said, the fluid does break down. It's very very easy to do.

1. (Don't laugh) Get a turkey baster.
2. Get a quart or 2 of Dex6.
3. A oil container.
4. Begin by attaching a 6-8in piece of rubber house to the end of the turkey baster.
5. Suck all the old power steering fluid out.
6. Fill with Dex6.
7. Starting vehicle and turn wheel clock to clock 1/2 dozen times.
8. Rinse and repeat until the fluid is all cherry Dex6 looking red.

 

No harm in doing some maintenance every now and then

 

Madman did you notice a difference in steering ease after swapping to dex 6?

 

Atf and power steering fluid are about same viscosity the biggest difference are the additives detergents and conditioners. Dex6 is synthetic, most PSF isnt... In long run the dex 6 probably holds up longer, but new vs new probably wouldnt really notice much difference.....

 

I recently did a flush on an 03 camry. I haven't tried this on anything else, but I would imagine it would work on pretty much all PS pumps.

-I emptied the reservoir by syphoning with a 1/4" ID line
-Disconnected the RETURN line from the reservoir and connected it to a clear line with the same ID as the return line using a barbed connecter
-Put the other end of the clear line in a bucket
-Connected a short length of the same clear hose (about 10") to the return port on the reservoir (pointed it up so that when I filled the reservoir it wouldn't spill)
-Filled reservoir with new PS fluid
-Turned key enough to allow steering wheel to rotate, but didn't turn engine on
-Turned wheel lock to lock 2 or 3 times (fluid flows from reservoir to rack and back through return) as you do this watch the clear line and you should be able to see the flow.
-Checked reservoir level and refilled if needed
-Kept turning lock to lock and checking level until I saw new fluid only flowing through clear line (trans fluid or clear fluid works well since you can see the difference easily)

I will be trying this on my daily driver this weekend or next. If you try it, let me know if it works in the trucks too.

 

I understand the process. My question is if you guys noticed a difference after a flush