power steering fluid exchange

Discuss any maintenance you've done to your Vibe & Matrix and ask how to perform maintenance on your vehicle
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campb292
Posts: 42
Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2007 2:18 am

power steering fluid exchange

Post by campb292 »

I have a 2006 with about 230k. I have started getting a little noise turning the wheel usually characteristic of power steering pump issues. It has the original fluid. It isn't leaking but I figure I might as well change it out and see if it goes away before troubleshooting further to determine if the pump is on the slide or it might be a loose or slipping belt or tensioner. The noise happens while driving at low speeds and turning the wheel either way. It also occurs in P by just turning the wheel. No clunks thunks or other noises... car is running well and pretty darn smooth at all speeds.

I looked in the reservoir and the fluid is clear with a hint of yellow. The Valvoline Dex/Merc Dex-iii stuff I got is red. I was thinking of just siphoning out the reservoir and exchanging it little by little over the next few hundred miles. Can this stuff be mixed?
jolt
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Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 2:07 am
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota

Re: power steering fluid exchange

Post by jolt »

You can change the fluid out by siphoning out the fluid or use a turkey baster to suck the fluid out and replace it. Why not buy power steering fluid, which is a yellowish clear fluid, and use that to replace the fluid with? I doubt that the fluid is going to change the noise. Check the pump or the steering rack for causing the noise.
GTwannabe
Posts: 40
Joined: Fri Nov 08, 2013 4:21 am

Re: power steering fluid exchange

Post by GTwannabe »

The packaging of the PS fluid should indicate if it can be mixed with other fluids.

The pump us being worked hardest in P and at slow speeds.

Rather than just siphoning out the fluid you should flush the system. This is how I think I did it.

-jack the front tires
-pull the return line to the PS reservoir and block the exit so it doesn't all come out of the reservoir
-turn the wheel lock to lock while periodically filling with PS fluid until its the same color coming out as going in
-hook up the return line
-fill to the cold line
-run the car while turning lock to lock to get any air out, after the fluid gets hot fill to the hot line
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andrewclaus
Posts: 482
Joined: Tue Oct 03, 2017 6:38 pm
Location: Golden, CO

Re: power steering fluid exchange

Post by andrewclaus »

I agree the fluid flush will likely do nothing. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it probably is the pump. Good luck with the project.
campb292
Posts: 42
Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2007 2:18 am

Re: power steering fluid exchange

Post by campb292 »

Thank you all for the input. I decided to first try changing the fluid after reading recommendations in threads here related to the symptoms I have with my steering. The process seems easy and not too inconvenient for 8 bucks. As for your question @jolt, I would certainly use "power steering fluid" as you mentioned but the manual doesn't seem to specify what power steering fluid. It just lists Dexron-III ATF as the power steering fluid in the manual (pg 6-19).
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ColonelPanic
Posts: 8419
Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2003 8:48 am
Location: South Central Indiana

Re: power steering fluid exchange

Post by ColonelPanic »

Empty reservoir via transfer pump/refill with a store brand Dexron III ATF/repeat is all I've done thus far. First time was at 13 years/112k mi. Personally, I wasn't too concerned with mixing since the power steering fluid cap states Dexron ATF. I went with the assumption that despite the color difference, whatever was in there from the factory would have to be compatible with what they tell me use... :lol:

The flush method above would certainly be more preferable - after a few drain & fills, I can see I still have a fair amount of original fluid in there. But I wasn't having any problems, I just wanted it to have *some* fresh fluid. And I didn't feel like yanking the line and likely making a mess. :D If it had higher mileage or if I were having issues I would probably make the extra effort and flush it completely.

It's been a couple years and 12,000 miles or so with varying degrees of mixed fluid - nothing remarkable to write home about. I'll do another drain & fill before winter.
03 Vibe base. Born 10/14/2002 06:07 AM
Auto, Moon & Tunes, power package. 143k
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joebiloba
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Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:51 am

Re: power steering fluid exchange

Post by joebiloba »

Just got done doing this to mine- 2005 GT 256K. To my knowledge the fluid had never been changed, so I decided it was time. I used a Dex-iii ATF and flushed the whole system out. Here's the video I found:

https://youtu.be/mBv4JkBYCW4

Aside from spilling some fluid it was no problem.
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