$8.00 Power Steering Fluid Change

[acoustic]

Hi All,

I'm a big believer in frequent fluid changes and ALL fluid changes. One area I never ever hear discussed on this or other forums is power steering fluid. People change transmission fluid, brake fluid, diff fluid and motor oil but rarely have I come across a BMW enthusiast that has clean power steering fluid. The change is simple and may save you a 2k steering rack job in the future. I usually flush at least a gallon of Dextron III through it before it's totally clean your car could take less or more depending on how badly neglected its been.. Here's how it goes..

Tools/Parts needed

1 Gallon of Dextron III (Wal*Mart)
1 Oil absorbing rag (West Marine) or just use rags
2-3 Hand rags
1 Turkey baster (Wal*Mart) & a hose clamp to hold the bulb on. It tends to get slippery with tranny fluid and comes off the tube when you squeeze the bulb it if you don't hose clamp it.
1 10mm wrench
1 flat blade screwdriver (to pop the air box clips open)
1 Empty container to squeeze old fluid into (I used a Wisk laundry detergent bottle)
1 Shop light

Instructions

1) Open hood
2) Remove air box (two clips and two 10mm nuts is all there is to do this part.)
3) Place rags or an oil absorbing pad from West Marine under and around the PS reservoir.
4) Unscrew the cap for the power steering fluid.
5) Start the car and let it idle.
6) Use the Turkey baster to suck almost all the fluid out of the PS reservoir but leave a little in the bottom so the pump does not suck air.
7) Insert a tranny funnel and re-fill the PS reservoir with new Dextron III tranny fluid
8) Let the car idle for five minutes while occasionally turning the wheel lock to lock.
9) Repeat #6, 7 & 8 until fluid is clean and red. Usually a gallon of new Dex III should do it..
10) Putting her back together is the reverse of taking apart.

Total cost about $8.00 including the Turkey baster. Future cost savings...... LOTS$$$$$$$