Power Steering Fluid: Service and Repair

FLUSHING POWER STEERING SYSTEM

WARNING: Safety goggles should be worn at all times during the following procedure to avoid personal injury.

Flushing is required when the power steering system fluid has become contaminated. Contaminated fluid in the steering system can cause seal deterioration and affect steering gear spool valve operation.

1. Raise the front end of the vehicle off the ground enough to allow the front wheels to freely turn.
2. Remove the return hose at the fluid reservoir.
3. Plug the return hose port on the reservoir.
4. Place the open end of the return hose into a large container to catch the draining fluid.

WARNING: Engine will be running as fluid is added to pump fluid reservoir. To avoid personal injury, beware of moving engine parts.

CAUTION: Do not reuse any drained power steering fluid. Use only fresh Mopar(R) Power Steering fluid + 4 or Mopar(R) ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid.

5. While an assistant is carefully filling the fluid reservoir with fresh fluid, start the engine.
6. With the engine running at idle, turn the wheel back and forth.

CAUTION: Do not contact or hold the wheel against the steering stops.

7. Run approximately a quart of fluid through the system, then stop the engine and install the return hose back on the fluid reservoir.
8. Fill the system with fresh fluid and bleed the system. Service and Repair
9. Start the engine and allow it to run for fifteen minutes, then stop the engine.
10. Remove the return hose at the fluid reservoir and plug the return hose port on the reservoir.
11. Pour fresh power steering fluid into the reservoir and check the fluid draining from the return hose for contamination. If the fluid is still contaminated, disassemble and clean the power steering components as necessary, then repeat the system flush again as outlined above.
12. Install the return hose back on the fluid reservoir, then fill and bleed the system. Service and Repair