Power steering flush.

[toughguy]

ok, searched these forums and I understand to do this is to remove the 2 lines going to the PS/cooler and drain them, then turn steering wheels lock to lock to get all fluid out. then proceed to fill PS and turn wheels lock to lock with engine running...does it matter if tires are off the ground? if I am correct let me know, if not let me know anyway, thank you.

 

[koda2000]

It doesn't matter if the tires are on the ground (for getting the air out, it may be easier to do and easier on the tires and system if vehicle is moving slowly while turning the wheel). Be prepared for fairly violent shaking while there's air in the system (which can take a while to work out completely).

Personally, I just suck the old fluid out of the reservoir (use a turkey baster or something similar) and replace the fluid with fresh Mercon V. If you do that a couple of times you'll have replaced most of the old fluid and no air bleeding necessary.

 

[4.0blue98]

Personally, I just suck the old fluid out of the reservoir (use a turkey baster or something similar) and replace the fluid with fresh Mercon V. If you do that a couple of times you'll have replaced most of the old fluid and no air bleeding necessary.

Same here.

 

[toughguy]

It doesn't matter if the tires are on the ground (for getting the air out, it may be easier to do and easier on the tires and system if vehicle is moving slowly while turning the wheel). Be prepared for fairly violent shaking while there's air in the system (which can take a while to work out completely).

Personally, I just suck the old fluid out of the reservoir (use a turkey baster or something similar) and replace the fluid with fresh Mercon V. If you do that a couple of times you'll have replaced most of the old fluid and no air bleeding necessary.

thanks again Mr.koda2000

 

[toughguy]

Same here.

thank you.

 

[fritz24]

Make sure reservior is full and return hose is unplugged(connected to a clear hose for drain) then start the engine and immediately full turn to left then shut the engine off. Manually turn the steering to straight position(much easier when car is jacked up) and fill again the reservior to full. Start the engine make the full right and shut off. Repeat the sequence until you see clean fluid coming out on the return line. This procedure is done at some dealership. I've used almost 4.5 quarts doing this. Good luck

 

[swshawaii]

^ Ditto, and the factory recommended method to completely flush. Only need a 3/8" rubber vacuum cap for the reservoir nipple and a short piece of hose to fit over the return line. I did this alone with the tires off the ground without starting the engine and used one quart of Valvoline Mercon V until the fluid ran clear.

Power Steering System Flushing General Procedures
https://www.scribd.com/doc/284588792/Power-Steering-System-Flushing-General-Procedures

 

[toughguy]

Make sure reservior is full and return hose is unplugged(connected to a clear hose for drain) then start the engine and immediately full turn to left then shut the engine off. Manually turn the steering to straight position(much easier when car is jacked up) and fill again the reservior to full. Start the engine make the full right and shut off. Repeat the sequence until you see clean fluid coming out on the return line. This procedure is done at some dealership. I've used almost 4.5 quarts doing this. Good luck

thank you both, I don't know which hose to disconnect, any pics?

 

[fritz24]

Sorry for the delay, bottom hose(thin)will always be the supply, you'll have to remove the hose that is connected on the side of the reservior and cover that part with some rubber to prevent the reservior from leaking fluid.

 

[toughguy]

Sorry for the delay, bottom hose(thin)will always be the supply, you'll have to remove the hose that is connected on the side of the reservior and cover that part with some rubber to prevent the reservior from leaking fluid.

here's my P/S pump

which hose again, thanks.

 

[toughguy]

bump

 

[swshawaii]

As fritz24 mentioned, the return hose is on the bottom of the reservoir with the silver clamp. Remove old fluid in the reservoir with a turkey baster, disconnect the hose, and plug the inlet with 3/8" vacuum cap. Find a short hose that
fits over the return hose, place hose in a container, and flush away. Use the factory procedure linked in post #7 .

 

[fritz24]

There's only two hose connected to the reservior, bigger hose is always the return line. Its up to you if you follow the #7 post. My post is also a factory procedure, infact the first procedure. Goodluck

 

[koda2000]

FYI, I'm working on my daughter's '00 AWD Mountaineer (176k) this month and while out on a test drive I noticed that the power steering was a bit jittery with the engine at low rpm (like when backing out of a parking space while turning the steering wheel). I've noticed my '00 XLT (214K) and '01 ST (184K) do the same thing (and It's not due to air in the system).

While it may not be the Ford's recommended flushing method, I used a piece of clear plastic tubing to siphon out the power steering reservoir and refilled it with fresh Mercon V. As there's not that much fluid in the reservoir, I repeated this 2 more times in between driving the vehicle. Total fluid replaced was about a quart. The jittering is now gone. I will be repeating this method on my '00 XLT and '01 ST, as they also display this symptom. Seems easier than removing hoses and you probably end up changing the majority of the old fluid using the siphoning method with no need to bleed air or make a big mess. JMO. Do whatever you're comfortable with.

 

[swshawaii]

TSB for certain ST's that requires a new pump. Shudder sounds like more of an annoyance, not sure if it's worth it.

STEERING SHUDDER DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS - REVISED
http://www.revbase.com/BBBMotor/TSb/DownloadPdf?id=130124

http://www.bbbind.com/free_tsb.html

 

[koda2000]

TSB for certain ST's that requires a new pump. Shudder sounds like more of an annoyance, not sure if it's worth it.

STEERING SHUDDER DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS - REVISED
http://www.revbase.com/BBBMotor/TSb/DownloadPdf?id=130124

http://www.bbbind.com/free_tsb.html

My ST was built in Aug '01, which is past the date mentioned in the TSB for pump replacement. I'll change the fluid and see what happens. Worked great on the Mountaineer.

 

[toughguy]

FYI, I'm working on my daughter's '00 AWD Mountaineer (176k) this month and while out on a test drive I noticed that the power steering was a bit jittery with the engine at low rpm (like when backing out of a parking space while turning the steering wheel). I've noticed my '00 XLT (214K) and '01 ST (184K) do the same thing (and It's not due to air in the system).

While it may not be the Ford's recommended flushing method, I used a piece of clear plastic tubing to siphon out the power steering reservoir and refilled it with fresh Mercon V. As there's not that much fluid in the reservoir, I repeated this 2 more times in between driving the vehicle. Total fluid replaced was about a quart. The jittering is now gone. I will be repeating this method on my '00 XLT and '01 ST, as they also display this symptom. Seems easier than removing hoses and you probably end up changing the majority of the old fluid using the siphoning method with no need to bleed air or make a big mess. JMO. Do whatever you're comfortable with.

just what I needed to know, thank you again.