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Hi Eric,
How about a quick video showing how to perform a power steering flush? I’ve watched a few on YouTube and there are a couple of methods. ManClubAustin has a method where he attaches a hose and uses the PS pump to flush out the system, but he effectively runs it dry. NutzAboutBolts uses a method where they keep the reservoir topped off with fluid which seems safer since the pump is never dry, but it requires 2-3 more bottles. Both of these involve removing the PS return line.
I saw another one where they used a pump to remove the fluid from the reservoir, add fresh fluid, start the car, turn the steering wheel, then repeat until it’s clean enough. It seemed to be the easiest, but it took 12 times (!!!).
Also can you confirm genuine Honda PS fluid is required for Hondas?
Thanks Eric!
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IMHO there really isn’t a huge need to flush the PS system. In an automatic transmission, you have fine metal and friction material particles that can build up, but in a PS system there is a lot less crud being set loose.
Pulling off the return hose and draining it that way should be okay. Just don’t run the PS pump dry for more than a few seconds.
Your request is a long standing one. I’ve been asked to do a video on power steering flushes almost since the beginning. Something always seems to come up when I go to make one. I had hoped to make one when I did the Element service video but ran out of time. Since then, other stuff has come up.
I do plan to make a video on this topic, I’m just not sure when that will be.
If I lived in Ohio, my gf’s car would be the perfect issue. It really needs it, I’m worried about her driving it because it was once out of fluid, and I guess it has some air inside. She never worried too much about it, but driving uphill and turning left becomes hard at the beginning.
[quote=”TheXDS” post=75714]If I lived in Ohio, my gf’s car would be the perfect issue. It really needs it, I’m worried about her driving it because it was once out of fluid, and I guess it has some air inside. She never worried too much about it, but driving uphill and turning left becomes hard at the beginning.[/quote]
Honestly, I don’t think a flush would fix that. It sounds more like it needs a rack. When you replace the rack you’ll also be replacing the fluid. That’s the way it’s mostly done. Not many people do power steering flushes. Usually you wait till a component fails and when you replace it, you also end up replacing the fluid.
We did a power steering rack rebuild on my friend’s Nissan Murano but since then the steering has been tight no matter the vehicle is stopped or moving. In both cases its hard. I just thought the steering rack might have reached its end of life. Should I check if there is air in the system? Removal and installation of the steering rack was carried out by a good mechanic. But the rebuild was carried out by another specialist.
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