magic hat #9

i'm in my garage ready to pull out the power steering and replacing it with the tilton breather. i planned to flush the old fluid (45k miles) and replace with new before i started so the rack would be fresh; i assumed the power steering pump would make it easier to completely circulate the new fluid. unfortunately, i asked the honda parts guy how much was required for the flush and he gave me 2 bottles - i just read the helms and find i need at least 3 for the 1L flush.

question - if i just go ahead and remove the power steering, can i fill the tilton resevoir with new fluid (attached to "inlet") and turn the wheel lock to lock to draw the new fluid through the rack and out the "oulet?" will turning the steering wheel actively circulate the fluid when there is no power steering pump attached?

i (and i assume anyone who has done this) want to be to replace the power steering fluid every 45k miles so the rack remains lubed with fresh fluid.

skafia

WTF, I just yanked everything out and that was that.

magic hat #9

don't you ever plan to flush the fluid?

norice

I never bothered to flush.

If you want to though, you could disconnect the input/output lines at the rack, attach two hoses and put their ends in a container, and turn the steering wheel end-to-end - which should send most of the fluid shooting out.

DutchITR1689

The P/S fluid doesn't lube the rack and pinion gear itself. So, no need to put new fluid in it....

norice

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DutchITR1689 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The P/S fluid doesn't lube the rack and pinion gear itself. So, no need to put new fluid in it....</TD></TR></TABLE>

Why would he bother running a breather system if he were not going to put fluid in the rack?

The fluid lubes the rubber rings on the pistons inside the rack so it is important to leave some fluid in the rack. I have read several reports of racks seizing after a year or so of fluidless running.

There have been debates as to whether a breather system is actually necessary (though the RealTime team ran one for many seasons and they did not put it there for the bling factor). Some people have run a closed system, with a little residual fluid to stop the pistons from seizing.

DutchITR1689

There will always be some fluid left in the rack. You can't drain 100% of the fluid without disassembling the rack. Even if you turn the steering wheel from full lock to full lock with the fluid in/outlets open, there will still be about 15% of the fluid left in the rack.
I'm running the closed system for some time now with about 15% of the fluid left in the rack.
If you want to use a breather, connect it directly to the rack and not to the valve housing.

ee-gsr

so for people with the closed system, any reports of seizing or any other issues? i've been waiting for more real world testing of this before i decide to do it too.

Tweakmeister

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ee-gsr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so for people with the closed system, any reports of seizing or any other issues?</TD></TR></TABLE>

None yet

ithrowpoop

same here closed system and it's all good.

ee-gsr

hehehe...i guess i've found my next lil project. might as well do it while there is some of the warranty left.