Power Steering Fluid and Filter Change

49X mm 46.02.001

    Warning: Fill only with approved clean fluid. Failure to use the proper fluid could cause seal deterioration and leaks. Fluid leaks could eventually cause loss of power steering assist. This could lead to an accident resulting in personal injury or property damage. Wear eye protection when changing the fluid and filter.

  1. Set the parking brake and chock the rear tires.
  2. Raise the front of the vehicle and support it with jack stands.
  3. Put the vehicle in neutral.
  4. Open the hood.
  5. Wipe down the area around the steering gear and related hydraulic lines.
  6. Place a drain pan under the steering gear and power steering reservoir.
  7. Remove the pressure line and return hose (see Fig.) from the steering gear and allow the oil to drain.

    1. Reservoir

    2. Filter Cap

    3. Pressure Line

    4. Return Hose

    Fig. 1, Power Steering Reservoir

  8. Remove the filter cap from the reservoir, then remove and discard the filter.

    • Filter caps with a separate retaining ring have a threaded connection with the filter. Unscrew the filter and discard it.

    • One-piece filter caps do not have a threaded fit with the filter. Pull off the filter and discard it.

  9. Turn the steering wheel from full left to full right three times to purge oil from the gear.
  10. Connect the pressure line and return hose to the steering gear.
  11. Fill the reservoir with an approved power steering fluid to the line between the MIN COLD and MAX HOT lines. See Fig.. See Table. for approved power steering fluids.

    Table 1, Approved Power Steering Fluids

    Approved Power Steering Fluids

    Fluid Type

    Approved Fluid

    Automatic Transmission Fluid

    Dexron® III

    Super ATF

    TES-389

      Table 1, Approved Power Steering Fluids

    1. Apply a thin film of power steering fluid on the gasket of the new filter, then attach the filter to the filter cap and install the cap on the reservoir.

      • For filter caps with a separate retaining ring, hand-tighten the filter, then turn it an additional 1/4 turn.

      • For one-piece filter caps, the filter is not threaded.

    2. With the engine off, turn the steering wheel from full left to full right three times. Add more power steering fluid as needed.
    3. Start the engine and operate the engine at idle. Check that the power steering fluid level is between the MIN COLD and MAX HOT lines. Add more power steering fluid if needed.
    4. Turn the steering wheel from full left to full right several times. Add fluid to the reservoir as needed to maintain the fluid level between the MIN COLD and MAX HOT lines.
    5. Shut down the engine.
    6. Raise the vehicle, remove the jack stands, and lower the vehicle.
    Note:
    Parent topic: Steering
    Document Number: 0000119372
    Manual Publication Date: 2024-05-16
    Topic Publication Date: 2024-10-31