power steering flush

[burt ragio]

How much fluid does the power steering system hold ?
What is the best way to flush power steering ?

[gdmjoe]

burt ragio - How much fluid does the power steering system hold ?
According to the owner's manual (REFILL CAPACITIES) ...
Fill to line on reservior.
*I'd have a quart or two of MerconV around.


What is the best way to flush power steering ?
siphon *Could use a turkey baster.
fill
turn steering wheel full-left then full-right several times.
repeat 1-3 until fluid is clear.

[RF Overlord]

When we acquired Phoebe, she had a P/S whine/growl, especially when cold. I did a few "turkey-baster" siphons in a row, then once a week for a while. Quieted down like a champ. Now I just do a single siphon/refill at every oil change. Fluid is nice and clear and P/S is still quiet all these years later.

BTW, the pump from an old bottle of hand soap or similar works great for this.

[babbage]

I'd suggest using the lucas power steering fluid. It cleared up my steering "sometimes" squeal.

http://www.lucasoil.com/images/products/2536DB751E7ED0BD72BB1135968507 63.gif

[whitey]

I'd suggest using the lucas power steering fluid. It cleared up my steering "sometimes" squeal.

http://www.lucasoil.com/images/products/2536DB751E7ED0BD72BB1135968507 63.gif

I'll second that amendment. Turkey baster technique works well.

[Jkmarauder]

Our cars actually use automatic transmission fluid for steering fluid I put a new rack and pinion in and put power steering fluid in it... A Coworker told me I should change it ASAP since it may damage it went to ford and got the correct fluids

[whitey]

Jk: merconV or you could use lucas. Im a lucas product snob.

[L.Mark]

I thought read on here anything Lucas was a no-no for these cars...

[BlueFusion]

How many extract/refill intervals does it usually take to clean up the fluid?

I've done it quite some time ago on my 00 Marquis. I did one interval on my 06 and so far the fluid looks about the same. I used Mercon V that I had left over from the J-mod.

[lifespeed]

Lucas typically has a seal "conditioner", as shown in the above photo. This is yet another mechanic-in-a-bottle intended to swell up the seals and "fix" leaks.

I wouldn't use any product like that, especially if your PS isn't leaking. And if it is leaking, well, put a new pump or rebuilt rack in. :)

[babbage]

Lucas typically has a seal "conditioner", as shown in the above photo. This is yet another mechanic-in-a-bottle intended to swell up the seals and "fix" leaks.

I wouldn't use any product like that, especially if your PS isn't leaking. And if it is leaking, well, put a new pump or rebuilt rack in. :)

Just like the smoke on startup that a lot of 4v's have. Pull the heads and replace them? Or just clean and recondition the seals?

[marauderthis]

Mercon V?
Are you guys sure the PS requires Mercon V?

[RF Overlord]

Technically the P/S calls for plain Mercon, but since Ford no longer licenses Mercon, and after years of telling us that Mercon and Mercon V were NOT compatible, they eventually decided that they ARE compatible after all and that everything that called for plain Mercon could now be serviced with Mercon V.

[JBeezy]

My PS is leaking at the lines where they attach to the rack. Is there something I can do about that or do I need to replace the rack


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[lifespeed]

Just like the smoke on startup that a lot of 4v's have. Pull the heads and replace them? Or just clean and recondition the seals?

Is this a serious question? How do you "clean and recondition" valve stem seals?

Smoke from leaking valve stem seals usually stems (pun intended) from worn guides, which then wear the seals. If the problem is not that serious you can just keep adding oil and rebuild the engine at a later date. But it certainly won't be fixed with mechanic-in-a-bottle.

[lifespeed]

My PS is leaking at the lines where they attach to the rack. Is there something I can do about that or do I need to replace the rack

If the flare fittings aren't loose, perhaps they were over-tightened or the line is cracked? Spray it clean and run it to identify if it is the flare leaking, or somewhere else on the line. If it appears to be the flare fitting remove it and inspect the cone for damage.

[fastblackmerc]

If the flare fittings aren't loose, perhaps they were over-tightened or the line is cracked? Spray it clean and run it to identify if it is the flare leaking, or somewhere else on the line. If it appears to be the flare fitting remove it and inspect the cone for damage.

To the best of my knowledge there are no flare fittings at all. There are teflon seals in the fittings. I can't remember the last time I saw a fare fitting on a power steering system.

[burt ragio]

I was seeking a way to replace minimum 90% of the power steering fluid at one shot. I was thinking of this process: Jack car so front wheels are off ground. Place jack stands at front frame rails to secure. Evacuate the reservoir. Pull the return line from the reservior. Cap or plug return hole on reservior. Place the pulled return line in a bucket. Fill reservior with new fluid. Turn key to on; not start. Turn steering wheel from left to right. fill reservior. Never let it go dry or empty. Repeat turn steering wheel right to left. Repeat until clear clean fluid shows at return line. Then reconnect return line to reservior & top off to fill line.
I was going to use Mobil synthetic ATF ?

[vegasmarauder]

Ref the leak, there are two different size rubber O-rings on the ends of the tube where it goes in the rack. Teflon rings are on the pump end of the hose. I have seen some manuals refer to teflon rings at the rack, but I have only seen rubber on 03's.

I think I found the part numbers from Ford.
1 ea of N803257-S (large ring) and
1 ea of N803256-S (small ring)

[BigCars4Ever]

I was seeking a way to replace minimum 90% of the power steering fluid at one shot. I was thinking of this process: Jack car so front wheels are off ground. Place jack stands at front frame rails to secure. Evacuate the reservoir. Pull the return line from the reservior. Cap or plug return hole on reservior. Place the pulled return line in a bucket. Fill reservior with new fluid. Turn key to on; not start. Turn steering wheel from left to right. fill reservior. Never let it go dry or empty. Repeat turn steering wheel right to left. Repeat until clear clean fluid shows at return line. Then reconnect return line to reservior & top off to fill line.
I was going to use Mobil synthetic ATF ?

I tried this method and it was a disaster!!! I didn't catch the whole " don't start the motor". The second the motor started all of the fluid in the reservoir disappeared. You cant add fluid fast enough. But.... If you don't start the motor and just turn the steering wheel like it said it did a great job. I just kept turning the wheel and adding fluid until it was clear.