Power Steering Quick Question.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 8
From: 972 and 405
Power Steering Quick Question.
Okay the local Valvoline where I have my oil change can change stated that everything else looked great on the car but recommended an change of the PS fluid. They said that they can do it. They were pretty competent with the oil change and allowed me to be right there while they did it even help out abit. So for a few bucks should I let them do it, or is it something complicated and should have a dealer(stealer) look into?
-Alex
-Alex
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 1
From: South of Indy
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
It would be helpful if you told us the year and mileage of your Vette and any harsh driving conditions you encounter in your car. I haven't heard of anyone flushing their power steering fluid unless they have had a steering gear replaced due to gear disintegration and the parts contaminating the fluid. I am not an expert by any means. Good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 1
From: South of Indy
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
?????
I don't think I would think about this until at least 100K unless I was having issues. Most street vehicles never have the PS steering fluid drained and changed. If someone disagrees, please speak up and say why.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,868
Likes: 770
From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
Did they say WHY they recommended it???
Is it sludgy?
Does it smell burned?
Is it contaminated with something?
Is there a maintenance mileage limit for it from the factory?
Are they fishing to make more money off you?
Is it sludgy?
Does it smell burned?
Is it contaminated with something?
Is there a maintenance mileage limit for it from the factory?
Are they fishing to make more money off you?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 8
From: 972 and 405
Well they told me it looked contaminated. I haven't looked at it because I planned on taking it in this weekend, so I'll check.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,868
Likes: 770
From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
What's the cost and will they flush the entire system or just empty and refill the reservoir??
I wonder what they think it's contaminated with. Is there a milky look to it? Shine a good flashlight in the reservoir and see if you can tell what they saw.
Regardless, if the price is right and it's thorough job....go for it.
I wonder what they think it's contaminated with. Is there a milky look to it? Shine a good flashlight in the reservoir and see if you can tell what they saw.
Regardless, if the price is right and it's thorough job....go for it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 104
From: Orange County California
Better yet, get a turkey baster from your wife....err, from the local grocery store...empty out a good 3-4 ounces from the reservoir, and put it in a small clear jar. If it appears contaminated, put it back, and go have them replace it. If it's not, replace what you took out with fresh, specified PS fluid, and take the jar to the guy. Ask him WTF?...just like that...."WTF?"
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Ham Lake Minnesota
My question is: If it truly is contaminated as they say, What caused it? Changing the fluid will only get contaminated again if the problem is fixed. I like the turkey baster idea to check your own fluid in a clear container. What does it look like? If there is metal or plastic flecks in it, you might have a bigger problem than just fluid. Just my .02.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,868
Likes: 770
From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
I don't trust these oil joints either. I did Jiffy Lube for awhile with my truck when I was living in an apartment and nowhere to change it myself. I always kept up on air filters and other things myself. I'd specifically say, DO NOT REMOVE THE AIR FILTER, IT's OKAY.
I'd turn my back for minute and find my damn air filter out and laying around somewhere!!
But they are hot on the search for anything they can do for a buck. And I do not put it past them to make stuff up!
Sure glad I'm in a place now I can do these services myself again!
I'd turn my back for minute and find my damn air filter out and laying around somewhere!!
But they are hot on the search for anything they can do for a buck. And I do not put it past them to make stuff up!
Sure glad I'm in a place now I can do these services myself again!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 19
From: Carson City, NV
Get a second opinion. Generally if it's not broke, don't fix it. You could do like another suggested and suck out the fluid in the reservoir and add in new a few times. If it's really contaminated, you probably have a bigger problem like a bad pump or something. A word of advice...if you ever replace your PS pump, buy a new one from GM. DO NOT buy a re-manufactured one from the local autoparts store. I learned this lesson the hard way.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I'd say they probably thought your wallet looked contaminated. They're helping out by flushing those dirty $$$$ out.
Seriously though, it's not in the maintenance schedule so I'd say dont mess if its not broken.
Seriously though, it's not in the maintenance schedule so I'd say dont mess if its not broken.
Last edited by DeeGee; Jan 26, 2008 at 01:41 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Every spring I buy 1 quart of Powersteering fluid from a Brand I trust and use the turkey baster method. I remove 1 syringe/baster of old oil, top it up and drive for the week. the next Saturday when I do my regular washing and detailingI remove a baster full of old oil and top it up. I do this each weekend until the quart is gone.
While I am at it I do the same thing ( different syringe) with my brake fluid and clutch fluid.
While I am at it I do the same thing ( different syringe) with my brake fluid and clutch fluid.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 104
From: Orange County California
Every spring I buy 1 quart of Powersteering fluid from a Brand I trust and use the turkey baster method. I remove 1 syringe/baster of old oil, top it up and drive for the week. the next Saturday when I do my regular washing and detailingI remove a baster full of old oil and top it up. I do this each weekend until the quart is gone.
While I am at it I do the same thing ( different syringe) with my brake fluid and clutch fluid.
While I am at it I do the same thing ( different syringe) with my brake fluid and clutch fluid.
