Replace Power Steering Fluid?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 42
Likes: 8
Replace Power Steering Fluid?
I just bought a 2009 Z06 and the power steering fluid looks very dirty. The shop manual has a procedure for bleeding air out of the system but nothing about replacing the fluid. Anyone ever actually replaced the fluid? If so, how did you do it? I know I can suck the bad fluid out of the reservoir and replace but I'd prefer to flush it completely.
I'm considering replacing the reservoir fluid and then doing the bleeding procedure to circulate all the fluid, then replacing the reservoir fluid again. It looks like you can disconnect the line from the pump to the steering unit and drain it there.
Thanks in advance.
I'm considering replacing the reservoir fluid and then doing the bleeding procedure to circulate all the fluid, then replacing the reservoir fluid again. It looks like you can disconnect the line from the pump to the steering unit and drain it there.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by RobRobinette; Dec 3, 2020 at 09:21 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,351
Likes: 2,445
From: Eastern
I've just sucked out the old fluid from the reservoir and replaced it over a 3 day period. There is a video on how to do it on a C5 which should be the same.
I've attached the power steering section that shows the procedure for flushing starting on page 17.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 42
Likes: 8
Thanks guys, I'll try the ranger method:
Warm the engine bay and steering fluid with a warm up drive then raise the front wheels off the ground.
Empty power steering fluid reservoir using automotive syringe, clean the reservoir and cap with lint free cloth, fill the reservoir with power steering fluid to the FULL COLD line on the dipstick, with engine off go stop-to-stop with the steering wheel 15 times. Then repeat the entire procedure until the fluid is still clean after cycling the steering wheel 15 times.
The "engine off go stop-to-stop with the steering wheel" is the "Bleed the Steering Fluid" procedure from the GM shop manual.
Rob
Warm the engine bay and steering fluid with a warm up drive then raise the front wheels off the ground.
Empty power steering fluid reservoir using automotive syringe, clean the reservoir and cap with lint free cloth, fill the reservoir with power steering fluid to the FULL COLD line on the dipstick, with engine off go stop-to-stop with the steering wheel 15 times. Then repeat the entire procedure until the fluid is still clean after cycling the steering wheel 15 times.
The "engine off go stop-to-stop with the steering wheel" is the "Bleed the Steering Fluid" procedure from the GM shop manual.
Rob
Last edited by RobRobinette; Dec 4, 2020 at 09:50 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I drained most of my power steering fluid out of my GS when I had to relocate the power steering pump when installing my supercharger.
The fluid that drained out was very black in color (dirty)
Well, after just a couple of months with the nice clear / clean fluid in the system, it became a nasty black color again.
I am not going through the trouble of changing it anymore ... it can now just stay black for all I care.
The fluid that drained out was very black in color (dirty)
Well, after just a couple of months with the nice clear / clean fluid in the system, it became a nasty black color again.
I am not going through the trouble of changing it anymore ... it can now just stay black for all I care.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 42
Likes: 8
I drained most of my power steering fluid out of my GS when I had to relocate the power steering pump when installing my supercharger.
The fluid that drained out was very black in color (dirty)
Well, after just a couple of months with the nice clear / clean fluid in the system, it became a nasty black color again.
I am not going through the trouble of changing it anymore ... it can now just stay black for all I care.
The fluid that drained out was very black in color (dirty)
Well, after just a couple of months with the nice clear / clean fluid in the system, it became a nasty black color again.
I am not going through the trouble of changing it anymore ... it can now just stay black for all I care.
Last edited by RobRobinette; Dec 4, 2020 at 09:52 AM.
thing knower
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,404
Likes: 942
From: wpb
you can easily remove the "return" line from the reservoir and drain the fluid from there with the vehicle off....
will get the fair majority of crap out... you can also pour some clean fluid through with the return line off to "flush" the reservoir...
then proceed with the above...
-drew
will get the fair majority of crap out... you can also pour some clean fluid through with the return line off to "flush" the reservoir...
then proceed with the above...
-drew
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
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From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
My bet is that even if you could remove every drop of power steering fluid out of the complete system, it would be black again in 6 to 9 months of normal everyday driving.
Just my opinion
Just my opinion
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Pro
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From: Vancouver BC
you can easily remove the "return" line from the reservoir and drain the fluid from there with the vehicle off....
will get the fair majority of crap out... you can also pour some clean fluid through with the return line off to "flush" the reservoir...
then proceed with the above...
-drew
will get the fair majority of crap out... you can also pour some clean fluid through with the return line off to "flush" the reservoir...
then proceed with the above...
-drew
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,360
Likes: 543
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
you can easily remove the "return" line from the reservoir and drain the fluid from there with the vehicle off....
Remove the lower, low pressure, hose on the reservoir. Turn steering wheel left and right (stopping short of lock to lock) to purge fluid out of the return line. I usually use 4 or 5 12oz bottles to purge the system.
The following is the procedure I use:
Here are a few tips for those who flush the power steering fluid themselves.
Use a 3/8" vacuum cap to plug the lower nipple on the reservoir. Use a syringe or turkey baster to remove as much fluid from the reservoir first.
Leave the reservoir cap on and tight while re-connecting the lower hose.
Buy a cheap 6" diameter sheet metal funnel. Squish it to fit between the radiator and engine placed underneath the reservoir. Run a tube from the funnel to a jar on the floor. The lower hose goes in the funnel. You won't spill a drop of fluid.
Spin the pump by hand occasionally to purge the pump also.
Drain a little antifreeze. Remove upper radiator hose from the radiator. Loosen the engine end, rotate the hose up a little. This gives ample access.
Use a 3/8" vacuum cap to plug the lower nipple on the reservoir. Use a syringe or turkey baster to remove as much fluid from the reservoir first.
Leave the reservoir cap on and tight while re-connecting the lower hose.
Buy a cheap 6" diameter sheet metal funnel. Squish it to fit between the radiator and engine placed underneath the reservoir. Run a tube from the funnel to a jar on the floor. The lower hose goes in the funnel. You won't spill a drop of fluid.
Spin the pump by hand occasionally to purge the pump also.
Drain a little antifreeze. Remove upper radiator hose from the radiator. Loosen the engine end, rotate the hose up a little. This gives ample access.
Last edited by Keppler; Dec 5, 2020 at 08:49 PM.
