Power steering flush

[blindside]

I'm doing fluid flush for the whole car today. My power steering reservoir is milky and needs changing.

What I'm wondering if instead of a turkey baster method I can preform this just like an e36 m3.

Removing the lower guard, removing the two banjo's, And drain it. I'll replace the crush washers (stealership wants $7 a pop).
Turning the steering rack from side to side will drain the whole rack which makes me feel like it will be more effective.
This is just a method I know for an e36.

Any asap input will help, it's going to be a long day. I'm making a DIY on my build thread w/ pics.

[Enemy]

I'm sorry that I cannot help you, but I am curious about this too since I want to perform this task soon. My power steering pump is buzzing a little at all times. I checked the fluid level and it seems proper. Fluid seems clean. I'm wondering if there is air in the system or if they used the wrong fluid. Hopefully, the pump isn't on its way out.

What kind of fluid are you using? Are you also replacing the reservoir?

[WOLFN8TR]

Check in Here...

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1830-BMW-E46-ZHP-DIY-and-Preventative-maintenance&highlight=Power+Steering+flush

[Enemy]

Thanks for reminding me of that link. Perfect DIY writeups on both the fluid flush, and the power sterring pump replacement if I end up having to go that route.

Can someone confirm with 100% certainty that the type of fluid required is ATF? Also the quantity required.

My E31 required Pentosin Hydraulic Fluid, and when I look at ECS Tuning for power steering fluid, they only list Pentosin and other Hydraulic Fluids.

TIA

[WOLFN8TR]

Welcome...

It's so good I put the link in my sig.

[Oli77]

Thanks for reminding me of that link. Perfect DIY writeups on both the fluid flush, and the power sterring pump replacement if I end up having to go that route.

Can someone confirm with 100% certainty that the type of fluid required is ATF? Also the quantity required.

My E31 required Pentosin Hydraulic Fluid, and when I look at ECS Tuning for power steering fluid, they only list Pentosin and other Hydraulic Fluids.

TIA

That's correct, I put Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc ATF in the reservoir when I did the turkey baster way. I went through 4-5 cycles and used about 70% of the new quart. I don't know the volume if you empty the system and refill.

[wsmeyer]

Can someone confirm with 100% certainty that the type of fluid required is ATF? Also the quantity required.


Bentley Service Manual says Dexron III.

Under capacity it says: "Permanently sealed (no drain plug)"

[kayger12]

Worth mentioning that the power steering fluid reservoir has an integrated filter.

Replacement reservoir is fairly cheap. Periodic replacement might help to increase the life of your steering rack.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[Enemy]

Worth mentioning that the power steering fluid reservoir has an integrated filter.

Replacement reservoir is fairly cheap. Periodic replacement might help to increase the life of your steering rack.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

This.

I was looking online for a power steering filter and was surprised that it is the reservoir itself. Not bad price either... something between $20 and $40 depending on brand.

Any recommendations as far as what ATF to use? I have to order some D4 ATF soon for my transmission, would it be OK to use that in the power steering? I would think so.

[wsmeyer]

Worth mentioning that the power steering fluid reservoir has an integrated filter.

Replacement reservoir is fairly cheap. Periodic replacement might help to increase the life of your steering rack.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Interesting. I'm going to put that on my list of stuff I want to do in a couple months when I hit 50k.

[danewilson77]

This.

I was looking online for a power steering filter and was surprised that it is the reservoir itself. Not bad price either... something between $20 and $40 depending on brand.

Any recommendations as far as what ATF to use? I have to order some D4 ATF soon for my transmission, would it be OK to use that in the power steering? I would think so.

Mobil 1 FS ATF.

HTC DNA, Williamsburg, VA

[kayger12]

This.

I was looking online for a power steering filter and was surprised that it is the reservoir itself. Not bad price either... something between $20 and $40 depending on brand.

Any recommendations as far as what ATF to use? I have to order some D4 ATF soon for my transmission, would it be OK to use that in the power steering? I would think so.

I've used D4 ATF twice now.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[Enemy]

Interesting. I'm going to put that on my list of stuff I want to do in a couple months when I hit 50k.

Shoot man, I'm going on 172k

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

[Enemy]

I've used D4 ATF twice now.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Excellent

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

[Enemy]

I just want to report that I've succesfully replaced the power steering reservoir/filter and it couldn't have been easier to do. Used the turkey baster method to remove the fluid from the reservoir, removed airbox to make room to work with, removal of the reservoir was easy and straight forward. Added some D4 ATF and cycled it about 4 times, cleaning out as much of the old ATF as possible. Done.

[kayger12]

Nice work.

[danewilson77]

Nice work.

Agree. Small maintenance items like that make a big difference.

HTC DNA, Williamsburg, VA

[wsmeyer]

I just want to report that I've succesfully replaced the power steering reservoir/filter and it couldn't have been easier to do. Used the turkey baster method to remove the fluid from the reservoir, removed airbox to make room to work with, removal of the reservoir was easy and straight forward. Added some D4 ATF and cycled it about 4 times, cleaning out as much of the old ATF as possible. Done.

Can you expand on that part?

I'm adding this to my list of things to do soon for preventative maintenance and am wondering what you did to cycle it.

[M0nk3y]

Can you expand on that part?

I'm adding this to my list of things to do soon for preventative maintenance and am wondering what you did to cycle it.

When I "cycled" my PS on the Z, I basically transferred pumped the ATF out (I used Castrol D4 ATF IIRC) and replaced with new...then I drove up and down the street going full lock to full lock, thus running the PS through the system. Then I would transfer pump out again...repeat

[kayger12]

When I "cycled" my PS on the Z, I basically transferred pumped the ATF out (I used Castrol D4 ATF IIRC) and replaced with new...then I drove up and down the street going full lock to full lock, thus running the PS through the system. Then I would transfer pump out again...repeat

This. Did it maybe four times.

Sent from the Last Next Best Thing.

[Enemy]

What they said.

[MKSD03ZHP]

very informative! will be doing this soon. this forum is awesome

[danewilson77]

This forum is awesome

Agree!

[UdubBadger]

nice!