• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Power Steering Fluid Change..

  • Thread starter Thread starter impulse001
  • Start date Start date Apr 5, 2008
I

impulse001

New Member
Jan 16, 2008
84
0
0
New Jersey
Apr 5, 2008
#1
  • Apr 5, 2008
  • #1
I was going to change my power steering fluid today, when I look down at it I see the hose going into it.. Tried taking it out but it was stuck on there real good, before I go tugging some more, just wanted to make sure thats what you use to drain it?

Also, I was told its a good idea to put in a bottle of Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak into it with the fluid, is this a good idea?
 

5.0Droptop

...all those nights we shared, and you're a dude??
Special Agent Mukity-Muck Whats in Charge Round Here
May 15, 2002
1,785
1,130
233
Indiana
Apr 5, 2008
#2
  • Apr 5, 2008
  • #2
* takes knife and cuts hose,starts car drains fluid on its own, replaces hose*
 

S&B

I hate my CT. :(
10 Year Member
Dec 18, 2005
1,634
695
204
Cheesehead
Apr 5, 2008
#3
  • Apr 5, 2008
  • #3
5.0's dad is from compton
 

5.0Droptop

...all those nights we shared, and you're a dude??
Special Agent Mukity-Muck Whats in Charge Round Here
May 15, 2002
1,785
1,130
233
Indiana
Apr 5, 2008
#4
  • Apr 5, 2008
  • #4
so. waddup fool!
 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta
Founding Member
Nov 22, 2001
3,501
28
119
Motor City
Apr 5, 2008
#5
  • Apr 5, 2008
  • #5
Be advised that changin the power steering fluid might make your pump run noisy afterwards. This is a common problem with Fords power steering pumps. I have had Mustangs where the pump was very noisy, then cleared up, and I have had some that were very noisy that soon quieted down after a fluid change.

To change the fluid, cut the hoses off with a sharp razor blade where the hoses go to the cooler...(by the lower radiator support). Cut the one at the power steering resivor too. That one will break on you EVERY TIME if you twist or bend it. Let it drain out. Then turn the wheel back and forth to pump the rest of it out of the rack and rack lines. Buy new power steering hoses from an auto parts store that sells them in bulk. You will spend under 5 bucks prolly less. I recommend a conventional power steering fluid with stop squeal...not stop leak. STP is good, Lucus is good too if you want to spend the extra money. It's a good idea to buy those new hoses because EVERY SINGLE FOX BODY I HAVE HAD LEAKED FROM THOSE.

Good Luck bro!!
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Apr 6, 2008
#6
  • Apr 6, 2008
  • #6
Type F ATF is specified.

I also undo the low pressure line at the cooler and put it in a bucket. Then I cycle fresh fluid in.

Do a proper bleed afterwards (front wheels in the air, turning back and forth just short of lock to lock).

Good luck.
 
I

impulse001

New Member
Jan 16, 2008
84
0
0
New Jersey
Apr 6, 2008
#7
  • Apr 6, 2008
  • #7
Thanks guys.. I got it done late last night, but not much fluid drained out.. I couldnt figure out how to get the high pressure (steel) line out, however.. I supposed to take the whole rod out?
 

Jaswir

Member
Mar 31, 2005
578
0
18
Orlando, FL
Apr 6, 2008
#8
  • Apr 6, 2008
  • #8
i just changed my power steering rack today... with my luck when bleeding the system out it and put new power steering fluid in it made it quite it down alot! But for the first couple mins it was loud untill it was bleed! LoL the old fluid was not red!
 
I

impulse001

New Member
Jan 16, 2008
84
0
0
New Jersey
Apr 6, 2008
#9
  • Apr 6, 2008
  • #9
Well, when I flushed it.. I took the bottom hose (from the 2 that are next to the radiator) and put that in a bucket.. Flushed it though with the engine on.. Put it back and refilled.. Is that all right? To bleed it I just keep the car running and refill until its full?
 
I

impulse001

New Member
Jan 16, 2008
84
0
0
New Jersey
Apr 6, 2008
#10
  • Apr 6, 2008
  • #10
Anyone know if that right? lol.. The fluid is dark grey so I guess I have to do it all over again until its clean? I already flushed it with 5 quarts..
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Apr 6, 2008
#11
  • Apr 6, 2008
  • #11
impulse001 said:
Well, when I flushed it.. I took the bottom hose (from the 2 that are next to the radiator) and put that in a bucket.. Flushed it though with the engine on.. Put it back and refilled.. Is that all right? To bleed it I just keep the car running and refill until its full?
Click to expand...

A couple things come to mind. After you disconnected the low-side line, did you plug the line going to the pump? Otherwise as you pour fluid into the reservoir, it gets dumped right back onto the ground (or bucket). Thus it never makes it through the rack to doing any flushing.

How did you have the engine running while flushing? My reservoir gets sucked down within 1-2 seconds - I cant even start the car and run up there fast enough to pour fluid. I disable the ignition and just crank it. Even doing it like that, the pump sucks down the fluid pretty fast. Just be sure to not overheat the starter motor.
 
I

impulse001

New Member
Jan 16, 2008
84
0
0
New Jersey
Apr 6, 2008
#12
  • Apr 6, 2008
  • #12
Oh, I was taking that hose off on the wrong side.. What do you use to plug it while you're flushing the fluid?
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Apr 6, 2008
#13
  • Apr 6, 2008
  • #13
impulse001 said:
Oh, I was taking that hose off on the wrong side.. What do you use to plug it while you're flushing the fluid?
Click to expand...

I undo the line at the PS cooler that goes back to the reservoir. So I just put a bolt that fits into the rubber hose (it's 3/8" hose IIRC) in there a few turns to keep it from leaking. If you have some plugs, those would work great. Then I use some spare 3/8 Hose and connect it to the PS cooler and run my hose into the bucket.

Now fluid goes through the pump and rack and then through the cooler and into the bucket. And the plugged return line from the reservoir keeps the reservoir from leaking while we do this.
 
I

impulse001

New Member
Jan 16, 2008
84
0
0
New Jersey
Apr 6, 2008
#14
  • Apr 6, 2008
  • #14
Cool, i'll try to get that done this week then.. How many quarts of fluid do you normally use to flush it clean?
 

RUNINAGT

Member
Oct 3, 2005
237
2
18
CHARLESTON S.C.
Apr 6, 2008
#15
  • Apr 6, 2008
  • #15
We have a power steering flush machine @ work. My p/s pump was not annoying loud but typical of a Ford. I used the flush machine and it did make it a little bit quieter.
Anyway the flush machine has a tube you put into the pump and it sucks the fluid out. I don't know how much fluid it gets outta the rack that way though. Like I said it worked for mine.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Apr 6, 2008
#16
  • Apr 6, 2008
  • #16
impulse001 said:
Cool, i'll try to get that done this week then.. How many quarts of fluid do you normally use to flush it clean?
Click to expand...

I do it till clear fluid starts coming out of the discharge hose. On the last one I did, I think I recall going through 4.5 quarts or so (that includes what was used to fill the system. Once it came out clear, I stopped, reconnected the lines and topped the system up (do your final check with it hot since hydraulic fluid expands with regard to temperature).
 
L

lang williams

New Member
Jun 11, 2003
567
0
0
cleveland, oh
Apr 7, 2008
#17
  • Apr 7, 2008
  • #17
wow i feel lazy...i just took a turkey baster an sucked the old out the resovior a few times. the final time i put half lucas half stp fluid.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
C4 trans help needed
  • CPH89LX
  • Apr 26, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
6
Views
138
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 28, 2026
CPH89LX
C
S
1965 Mustang with 80s 5.0 engine in it Power Steering hose or connection ID?
  • spearce
  • May 19, 2026
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Replies
2
Views
67
Classic Mustang Specific Tech Jun 8, 2026
AeroCoupe
A
Engine 99 V6 Steering Pump Replacement
  • abs68206
  • May 23, 2025
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
184
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech May 23, 2025
abs68206
A
P
Is it normal for all of this to go wrong or did I get played when I bought this ONLY A MONTH AGO.
  • ponygal02
  • Nov 14, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
233
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Nov 14, 2025
Noobz347
S
Help with window and possible engine
  • StefRena22
  • Jun 12, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
19
Views
797
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 21, 2025
Willybill32
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?