Power Steering Fluid and Filter Changing

s2 m 46.02.000

    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. Apply the parking brakes and chock the rear tires.
  2. Place a drain pan under the power steering reservoir.
  3. Remove the retaining ring from the reservoir. See Fig..

    1. Power Steering Reservoir

    2. Retaining Ring

    3. Filter Cover

    4. Return Hose

    Fig. 1, Power Steering Reservoir

  4. Remove the filter and filter cover from the reservoir. Disconnect the filter from the filter cover and discard the filter.
  5. Remove the bolts, nuts, and washers that attach the power steering reservoir to the mounting bracket. Drain the fluid from the reservoir, but do not remove the supply line to the reservoir.
  6. Using bolts, nuts, and washers, attach the reservoir to the mounting bracket.
  7. 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

    Dexron® II

      Table 1, Approved Power Steering Fluids

      *  Do not mix fluid types. Refer to the text in this group for a detailed warning statement.

    1. Raise the front of the vehicle and support it with jack stands.
    2. Start the engine and operate it at idle. Turn the steering wheel from full left to full right several times until clean fluid starts flowing from the power steering filter. Add fluid to the reservoir to maintain the fluid level between the MIN COLD and MAX HOT lines.
    3. Shut down the engine. Apply a thin film of power steering fluid on the gasket of a new filter. Then attach the filter to the filter cover. Make sure that the gasket under the filter cover is not damaged. If the gasket is damaged, replace it. Install the gasket on the reservoir. Install the filter and filter cover in the reservoir.
    4. Attach the retaining ring to the reservoir to secure the filter and filter cover.
    5. Start the engine and check that the power steering fluid level is between the MIN COLD and MAX HOT lines. Add more fluid if needed.
    6. Raise the vehicle, remove the jack stands, and lower the vehicle.
    7. Remove the chocks from the tires.
    Note:
    Parent topic: Steering
    Document Number: 0000121080
    Manual Publication Date: 2024-05-24
    Topic Publication Date: 2024-11-13