[Z06] Anyone ever change your Power Steering Fluid?
08-18-2009, 09:36 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Anyone ever change your Power Steering Fluid?
What do you think about changing out the Power Steering Fluid Once in a while? 2 qts of fluid is only about $10
At 18,000 miles mine is as dark as really bad clutch or brake fluid would be, if it was never changed. I am in the process of flushing it out right now, similar process to the Ranger's method for the clutch fluid flush. Syphon it out of the resivoir, ReFill, Drive, and repeat about 8 or 10 times. I am now on my 4th flush and it is starting to look a bit cleaner.
Is it a good idea to flush out the Power Steering Fluid, or am I just wasting time?
Original dirty fluid on the left and what new fluid looks like on the right.
At 18,000 miles mine is as dark as really bad clutch or brake fluid would be, if it was never changed. I am in the process of flushing it out right now, similar process to the Ranger's method for the clutch fluid flush. Syphon it out of the resivoir, ReFill, Drive, and repeat about 8 or 10 times. I am now on my 4th flush and it is starting to look a bit cleaner.
Is it a good idea to flush out the Power Steering Fluid, or am I just wasting time?
Original dirty fluid on the left and what new fluid looks like on the right.
08-18-2009, 10:31 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2004
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St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10-'11-'12-'13 '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
In my old line of work (Navy), dark fluid, that started out light, was a BAD thing.
I too have changed out my PS fluid cause I saw the same thing. Did it do anything? Don't know, but I do have peace of mind.
I too have changed out my PS fluid cause I saw the same thing. Did it do anything? Don't know, but I do have peace of mind.
08-19-2009, 01:00 AM
#4
Drifting
Member Since: Jun 2002
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I changed mine - it was very dark also after only 8000 miles. I used GM power steering fluid.
GM part #89021184 (16 oz) or 89020661 (32 oz).
"An amber colored, light bodied mineral oil that contains a specially developed additive package to provide good performance in power steering systems. Reduces power steering noise. Specially formulated to provide anti-corrosive and non foaming qualities with excellent lubrication for year-round use."
Cost about $6 for the 32 oz size.
The GM part #89021184 is recommended in the owners manual.
For the price, I couldn't see using something different (and guessing if it met all the requirements).
Cheers - Jim
GM part #89021184 (16 oz) or 89020661 (32 oz).
"An amber colored, light bodied mineral oil that contains a specially developed additive package to provide good performance in power steering systems. Reduces power steering noise. Specially formulated to provide anti-corrosive and non foaming qualities with excellent lubrication for year-round use."
Cost about $6 for the 32 oz size.
The GM part #89021184 is recommended in the owners manual.
For the price, I couldn't see using something different (and guessing if it met all the requirements).
Cheers - Jim
08-19-2009, 10:26 PM
#8
Pro
Member Since: Mar 2005
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ATF is similar but not identical to PS fluid. It was pretty common in the old days to use ATF in the PS reservoir and Ford had different ATF (Type F) than GM (Dexron). Times and technology have changed.
Power steering fluid is formulated for and contains additives designed to help the pump perform optimally as well as to prevent seals from leaking. While some manufacturers recommend ATF for their vehicles, GM specifically recommends PS fluid for the Corvette (see owner's manual). ATF would undoubtedly work in the PS system, but it might not be the best hydraulic fluid in this case.
Power steering fluid is formulated for and contains additives designed to help the pump perform optimally as well as to prevent seals from leaking. While some manufacturers recommend ATF for their vehicles, GM specifically recommends PS fluid for the Corvette (see owner's manual). ATF would undoubtedly work in the PS system, but it might not be the best hydraulic fluid in this case.
08-19-2009, 10:57 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Funny thing about this subject is that I have never seen in any owner manual or shop manual that you should EVER change PSF as a regularly scheduled maintenence item.
Oil, tranny fluid, axels lube, antifreeze, air filter, etc. always have regularly scheduled change intervals. PSF I have never seen mentioned except to Add fluid if it becomes low.
Also very difficult to actually drain any system (much like the Zs clutch resivoir) that you have to siphon add siphon add syphon add syphon add syphon and still have a certain diminishing percentage of old fluid still in there.
Oil, tranny fluid, axels lube, antifreeze, air filter, etc. always have regularly scheduled change intervals. PSF I have never seen mentioned except to Add fluid if it becomes low.
Also very difficult to actually drain any system (much like the Zs clutch resivoir) that you have to siphon add siphon add syphon add syphon add syphon and still have a certain diminishing percentage of old fluid still in there.
Last edited by Maxx Schlick; 08-19-2009 at 11:43 PM.
08-20-2009, 09:41 AM
#11
Melting Slicks
Mine is a clear as new
I've got this system that insures fresh fluids almost all the time.
Its called...3 motor R&R's in 9,000 miles!!!!
seriously though. I think your on the right track for fluid changes, just like the old clutch method. Speaking of that INSTALL A CLUTCH BLEEDER when it comes time to install a new clutch...makes life SO much easier.
Its called...3 motor R&R's in 9,000 miles!!!!
seriously though. I think your on the right track for fluid changes, just like the old clutch method. Speaking of that INSTALL A CLUTCH BLEEDER when it comes time to install a new clutch...makes life SO much easier.
02-22-2011, 01:56 PM
#12
Cruising
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Ok, so maybe I am slow on this one and it's been a couple of years since this was posted but hey...
I have recently experienced the need to add some Power Steering Fluid in my '87 Corvette about once a month. Just called my old friend and mechanic about the Prestone Power Steering fluid I had in the garage being a bit chunky at the bottom of the bottle as I poured it into the PS Reservoir, the color was off a bit also. Jerry's recommendation, flush the entire system and replace with all new Power Steering Fluid. This should be checked regularly and it is on a regular basis in my case, that's how I noticed. Also to check for any O-Ring's worn if noticable, the hose lines and all other parts that may be contaminated or worn etc.
Jerry has a car on the rack right now from lack of maintenance and replacement cost: $1200.00. A flush and regular maintenance will prevent this greater cost.
I have recently experienced the need to add some Power Steering Fluid in my '87 Corvette about once a month. Just called my old friend and mechanic about the Prestone Power Steering fluid I had in the garage being a bit chunky at the bottom of the bottle as I poured it into the PS Reservoir, the color was off a bit also. Jerry's recommendation, flush the entire system and replace with all new Power Steering Fluid. This should be checked regularly and it is on a regular basis in my case, that's how I noticed. Also to check for any O-Ring's worn if noticable, the hose lines and all other parts that may be contaminated or worn etc.
Jerry has a car on the rack right now from lack of maintenance and replacement cost: $1200.00. A flush and regular maintenance will prevent this greater cost.
