Power Steering Fluid

[nfpgasmask]

Hey all,

I just hit 30k, and I am going to do some more routine maintenance. I just did the tranny fluid and filter about a month ago, using Mobile 1 transmission fluid and all is good there. I am planning to change the diff fluid soon also.

But, I am wondering about the Power Steering Fluid. I looked in my reservoir and noticed it was pretty burnt.

Is this something I can do myself or would it best done by "professionals"? Any tips? I did a search on this but didn't find too much...

Thanks - Bart

[Zorak]

this is from the isuzu faq site:
power steering pump flush.

Well, it isn't a flush, more of a replace about a 1/3 of the fluid.

1. consult your manual for the right type of fluid to use (+98 Isuzu use
tranny fluid, but still look at your manual)
2. Note the fluid level or bust out your sharpie and mark the level.
Pull the lower hose from the power steering reservoir. Put something
under it to catch the old fluid.
3. Filler back up.
4. Jack up the front of the truck so both of the wheels are off the
ground (there is a spot on the front skid plate to do this on the Rodeo).
6. Start her up. Then move the steering wheel from bump stop to bump
stop like 4 times. This will help to get the air out. Top off the fluid
if necessary (I have never had to do it). Now if you want to you can at
this point take if for a 5 minute spin to mix up the fluid and then drain
it again and fill it again; in order to get a higher percentage of new
fluid into the system.
7. Clean up, your done.
I do this once a year. I figure a little clean fluid to the system every
year will help towards a long life and will help to lower the amount of
water that could be in the system. Total time: 15-20 minutes. Cost: 2-3
bucks for the fluid (I recommend you toss the left over tranny fluid in
the bottle (I know it is a waste) since after you open it, it can pick up
water sitting on the shelf.

[nfpgasmask]

Hey, thanks for the awesome tutorial. I will do this, but, can you provide some details (or better yet a photo) of where the hose gets detached from?

I am pretty sure the 01s use Dextron III ATF like the tranny, and do you know if I can use Mobile 1 synthetic ATF in the power steering reservoir? I have about 3 quarts of this left over from my tranny service.

Thanks again,

Bart




this is from the isuzu faq site:
power steering pump flush.

Well, it isn't a flush, more of a replace about a 1/3 of the fluid.

1. consult your manual for the right type of fluid to use (+98 Isuzu use
tranny fluid, but still look at your manual)
2. Note the fluid level or bust out your sharpie and mark the level.
Pull the lower hose from the power steering reservoir. Put something
under it to catch the old fluid.
3. Filler back up.
4. Jack up the front of the truck so both of the wheels are off the
ground (there is a spot on the front skid plate to do this on the Rodeo).
6. Start her up. Then move the steering wheel from bump stop to bump
stop like 4 times. This will help to get the air out. Top off the fluid
if necessary (I have never had to do it). Now if you want to you can at
this point take if for a 5 minute spin to mix up the fluid and then drain
it again and fill it again; in order to get a higher percentage of new
fluid into the system.
7. Clean up, your done.
I do this once a year. I figure a little clean fluid to the system every
year will help towards a long life and will help to lower the amount of
water that could be in the system. Total time: 15-20 minutes. Cost: 2-3
bucks for the fluid (I recommend you toss the left over tranny fluid in
the bottle (I know it is a waste) since after you open it, it can pick up
water sitting on the shelf.