Replacing the power steering fluids

NeoNeo2g · Post by **NeoNeo2g** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 1:34 pm

Hello.

Could you help me to find information about replacing the power steering fluids with a new one. I could'nt find any from this forum, or I couldn't search in a proper way.

Post by **racer12306** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 1:37 pm

The simplest way is with a turkey baster, don't know if you call it that over there. You suck out the fluid in the reservoir and then refil the reservoir.

Keep doing that for a quart or two of fluid and you will be pretty well 100% changed. Takes some time, but it is simple.

This is a pic of someone removing brake fluid, but same idea:

NeoNeo2g · Post by **NeoNeo2g** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 1:48 pm

So the cap out, and then just "suck" it out with something, until fluids stops appearing to the reservoir from the pump/cylinder. And then the new fluid in, right?

I ask this, because my steering fluids starts to appear in minimum.

The new regulation as you know is that tranny oil ATF4 is now recommended, but my steering has old MS 9933 fluids in it, and I can' find it anywhere. Only the older MS 5931. Is there any major difference what you put in there? Could something ordinary clear PS fluid be suitable?

Dodge/Chrysler says that you shouldn't mix old and ATF4, but is there any technical or chemical restrictions for doing that?

Thanks for the reply, I'll try it if no alternatives.

Post by **racer12306** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 1:51 pm

Definitely don't mix PS fluid and ATF. I believe it will turn into a milky mess.

I don't know about the two PS fluid types, whether they are compatible or not.

But yeah, suck out all the old fluid in the reservoir (remember there is still fluid in the lines and cooler). Then refill, do it a few times to get almost all of the old fluid out.

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 2:12 pm

I think as long as it says "Power Steering Fluid" it should be fine. I haven't heard of compatibility issues between them, only ATF and PS fliud. If the older type has any phone number, or contact info on the bottle, call and ask.

Fuzzyneon · Post by **Fuzzyneon** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 5:12 pm

whats power steering?

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 5:34 pm

Helps people easily turn in parking lots. I would HATE not to have power steering that does pretty much nothing power wise. ZOMG rev faster.

You can always have a shop do it maybe more effectively than a turkey baster..

They use a machine that cleans out all the old stuff and puts fresh fluid in. Of course it will cost yah..

04R/T · Post by **04R/T** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 5:08 am

Here's a flush procedure that's used on GM cars, I've done it on Hondas as well, I've never done it on a Neon so if you try it you're doing it at your own risk:

Jack the front of the car so the wheels are off the ground, support with proper stands. Set brakes, block rear wheels. Disconnect the return hose at the pump reservoir and cap off the nipple. Next get a slave hose (3/8" fuel hose) that's long enough and connect it to the vehicles return hose, route it into a bucket. Top off the reservoir and get a helper to sit in the car and start it. The fluid will dump, just make sure the hose is secured in the bucket before you start or it gets messy. Your job is to keep the reservoir from emptying, just keep adding fluid till the fluid dumping is clean. Have your helper also turn the steering wheel while the fluid is flushing.

Word of caution: KEEP YOUR HANDS AND OTHER OBJECTS AWAY FROM MOVING PARTS!

Post by **occasional demons** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 7:16 am

That is basically the method the Chrysler dealer told me to use, when the Omni I bought had the wrong fliud mixed in. Looked like someone threw up in there. They said to use mineral spirits to flush it, then purge the mineral spirits with fresh PS fluid. It worked like a charm.

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 12:39 pm

Okay so I noticed my power steering fluid was a little low. So I went to Wal-Mart and got "Power Steering fluid" SuperTech.

Will this mix with the ATF+4?

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:32 pm

NO!

Use only ATF! It can be synthetic, or just plain Dexron III. The +4 part is mainly for the TC clutch, to prevent shudder. So in a PS pump it isn't that important. What is important, is that you stay with ATF.

OhNo2.0 · Post by **OhNo2.0** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 4:26 pm

Loop the lines, drain or remove seals in rack. Take belt off PS pump.

Enjoy not having power steering and gaining the ability to actually feel the road.

Armstrong steering ftmfw

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:35 pm

Yeah I got some OReilly's ATF+4 and topped it off. Glad I didn;t put the wal-mart crap in my car...

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 5:57 am

You can mix ATF+4 and Power steering fluid......
Chrysler actually recomends +4 for there power steering systems......

Post by **racer12306** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 8:22 am

You sure about that?

Seems like it would turn into a nasty mess.

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 12:36 pm

ATF +4 for the newer than '01 or '02. And some of the older stuff. They used PS inbetween for a few years. They only use it because it is what they use in the ATX. I'm sure any ATF will work, it just isn't feasable for the factory to carry two different types of ATF, which could lead to the dexron being wrongly put in a transmission. Besides, the customer is paying for it, so what if it costs a buck more to use +4 over dexron III. It is cheaper than a screwed ATX.

I have seen what mixing PS and ATF does, it is not pretty.

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 6:11 am

Chrysler also uses ATF+4 in anything using Dexron now....

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 3:25 pm

Yeah, but you wouldn't want to mix PS fluid and ATF.

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 4:59 am

To clarify....
You can:
Add ATF to PS fluid
Add PS to PS fluid
But you CANNOT:
Add PS fluid to ATF in the trani!

Fuzzyneon · Post by **Fuzzyneon** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 1:39 pm

BlackRoseRacing wrote:To clarify....
You can:
Add ATF to PS fluid
Add PS to PS fluid
But you CANNOT:
Add PS fluid to ATF in the trani!

thats probably why my trans isnt turning smoothly....*runs out to drain ps fluid out of trans*

danman132x · Post by **danman132x** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 12:48 am

Heh, I would never drive my car without power steering. I had my AC/PS belt off for about a week once, and it is hard, even while moving.

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 12:58 am

MyNeonSaysHi wrote:Yeah I got some OReilly's ATF+4 and topped it off. Glad I didn;t put the wal-mart crap in my car...

The Super-Tech fluids are actually pretty good

Probably better than the O'Reillys brand stuff. Then again, I'm not too sure who makes their fluids. WPP makes Super-Tech fluids.

Fuzzyneon · Post by **Fuzzyneon** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 1:59 am

danman132x wrote:Heh, I would never drive my car without power steering. I had my AC/PS belt off for about a week once, and it is hard, even while moving.

driven 2800 miles without ac or PS and old neon for almsot 5 months without

yeah its not power steering from even moving i reccomend you keep it unless its a full blown race car or your looking for that extra wee bit of power

Jerome Adams · Post by **Jerome Adams** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 10:38 pm

so I just put Prestone PS fluid in cause I was a little low and then I checked the owners manual and was like WTF. I only put in a little so we will see what happens. If it gets all nasty, I will have to drain and replace with ATF.

I can't believe I am so stupid to think that you would actually put PS fluid in the PS system. Wonder if I need to top off my brake fluid with some 10w-30 or maybe just a few tablespoons of soy sauce?

Post by **racer12306** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 10:41 pm

Cost cutting FTMFW

Same reason our manual trannies got ATF.

Jerome Adams · Post by **Jerome Adams** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 7:52 am

I seriously thought the owners manual was a typo, that is why I came on here to verify that we are suppose to put tranny fluid in there...

Post by **racer12306** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:58 am

It's all hydraulic fluid in the end, just depends on what additives and viscosity.

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 11:40 am

If you totally flush it, you could prolly put any light weight oil in, as long as it is compatible with the seals in the steering gear.

All I know is the stuff would not mix in my Omni.

Jerome Adams · Post by **Jerome Adams** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:22 pm

checked it today and it seems a little thinner and pinkish vs. red...but no milky like substance has formed as of yet.

beachbrum · Post by **beachbrum** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 12:55 am

So if I have a 2001 Neon RT with 125K miles and the PS fluid has never been flushed I suppose I am due. What was in there originally? I am going to use the turkey baster method and refill. I just want to use the same stuff and avoid possible mixing issues.

Thanks in advance