96 LT1 Power steering Fluid change
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 459
Likes: 2
From: Hawaii
96 LT1 Power steering Fluid change
Today I changed the power steering fluid in my 96 LT1. The old fluid was black and looked like crap, so I decided to change the fluid out. I used the baster technique and an empty gallon water jug. This way is pretty easy, and is faster if you can find a real big baster to work with. I did the process four times until the fluid was clear. I replaced the fluid with Lucas Power Steering fluid with Conditioners. I can tell a slight difference in response and feel, but the steering is still a little hard to turn. Hopefully this preventive maintenance will prolong the rack and the pump for a little longer! 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 459
Likes: 2
From: Hawaii
First step is to get a Turkey baster. Next step, get some power steering fluid. Find a suitable container for the used oil. Drive car to operating temp. Park car. Begin sucking out the old fluid from the Reservoir until empty. Put in new fluid to HOT line on dip stick. Drive car around the block or turn wheel lock to lock in place a couple of times. Suck out the old fluid again. You need to do this until you have clear fluid in the Reservoir. Just repeat over and over. Do not overfill Reservoir. Good luck!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 171
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
I thought that might be it and now I am clear. Any idea how many times to turn lock to lock or is a few sufficient??
Far as I know the fluid in mine is original at 41,000 miles. Steering feels great to me though. Maybe it could be better thoughh for all I know. Thanks.
Far as I know the fluid in mine is original at 41,000 miles. Steering feels great to me though. Maybe it could be better thoughh for all I know. Thanks.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 459
Likes: 2
From: Hawaii
Just turn lock to lock a couple of times. This will circulate the fluid through the system and mix old with new fluid.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
I use most of a quart of redline power steering fluid when I do mine.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 459
Likes: 2
From: Hawaii
The rule or ratio is pretty much to continue this method until the fluid is clear or the color of the new fluid you are cycling through the system.
Some may suggest to pull the cooler lines, which is faster, but may require you to bleed the system if any air gets in the lines. I find this way fairly quick and effective. You will never remove all of the fluid from the system unless you remove or replace the rack its self. I don't believe most people consider this as preventive maintenance, but why not? Good luck with this technique!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
Nothing hard about pulling one line off (return line) to the tank/resevoir, pushing in a barbed fitting with some extra hose and sticking the end inside a gallon water jug.
This definately NEEDS 2 people because once the motor starts this happens FAST....one person to keep pouring fresh fluid in the res while the other turns the wheel lock to lock.
I flush with the cheap stuff and drain the res down to refill with Lucas R&P conditioner. If you are not allowing the return oil to go back into circulation AND turning the wheel as the old oil is pumped out, the system IS getting 100% fresh fluids. It just takes 2 people and having a plan...like 2 jugs and maybe a gal of cheap PS fluid for the flush/throw away.
This definately NEEDS 2 people because once the motor starts this happens FAST....one person to keep pouring fresh fluid in the res while the other turns the wheel lock to lock.
I flush with the cheap stuff and drain the res down to refill with Lucas R&P conditioner. If you are not allowing the return oil to go back into circulation AND turning the wheel as the old oil is pumped out, the system IS getting 100% fresh fluids. It just takes 2 people and having a plan...like 2 jugs and maybe a gal of cheap PS fluid for the flush/throw away.
