Power Steering Fluid Change?

[DTNODYA]

I have searched but didn't really find anything that told me exactly what I'm wondering.

I have a 98 GT and have never changed the power steering fluid. I am assuming that I need to and I can't find my Haynes right now. I have some groaning that is louder than the usual Ford power steering sound.

1.) Do I need to change/flush my fluid?

2.) What type fluid do I need and how much?

3.) How do I locate the 'return line' or whatever I need to do to let fluid drain?

Any help/info would be greatly appreciated. Thx peeps.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Yes, you absolutely need to change it.

When I changed mine I disconnected the line from near the radiator on the bottom underside front of the car. The plan was to feed fresh fluid into the intake hose and bleed it out the pressurized side. This would change out the fluid pretty fast using the car's own pump.

However the engine cranked over and the fluid blasted all over the garage floor

Another funny thing about my power steering fluid change was that I went to AutoZone and asked for Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF. I told the parts counter guys that my car used it for power steering. They absolutely called me crazy and said they never ever heard of using automatic transmission fluid in the power steering reservoir.

 

[jeffnoel]

When I changed mine I disconnected the line from the radiator on the bottom underside front of the car.

Your power steering is connected to your radiator???

 

[DTNODYA]

Yes, you absolutely need to change it.

When I changed mine I disconnected the line from the radiator on the bottom underside front of the car. The plan was to feed fresh fluid into the intake hose and bleed it out the pressurized side. This would change out the fluid pretty fast using the car's own pump.

However the engine cranked over and the fluid blasted all over the garage floor

Another funny thing about my power steering fluid change was that I went to AutoZone and asked for Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF. I told the parts counter guys that my car used it for power steering. They absolutely called me crazy and said they never ever heard of using automatic transmission fluid in the power steering reservoir.

Soooo, how did you do it?


I bought Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF so I'm glad I got that part right.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I ejected it onto the floor and added to the reservior. Probably only actually changed half of it. I am sure there are better ways.

 

[DTNODYA]

I ejected it onto the floor and added to the reservior. Probably only actually changed half of it. I am sure there are better ways.

 

[blackfang]

Go in and have it flushed out, which cleans out the rack, pump and resovior and lines.

 

[Superhereaux]

Your power steering is connected to your radiator???

and i would never throw ATF in my p/s resovoir

 

[DTNODYA]

and i would never throw ATF in my p/s resovoir

Naa, there are connections that are like, beside/below the radiator and then the lines run in front of the radiator to cool the ATF (what you're supposed to use in these things) before it goes back into the resovoir.

I found a decent write-up on how to change the fluid:

Link

 

[Superhereaux]

the car in that article has an older style pump (fox body)

don't know if that'll make a difference

 

[DTNODYA]

the car in that article has an older style pump (fox body)

don't know if that'll make a difference

Yeah I know, but it gives ya some idea ya know?