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Re: How often do you replace power steering fluid?
The service manual only covers the first 120,000 miles.
To answer your question, I changed mine at 110k and at 170k with the timing belt and other belts.
Re: How often do you replace power steering fluid?
Being the 20 year old fluid is still bright red, I don't think it takes the same beating auto trans do. From my understanding the polymers in the trans fluid break down and then the fluid friction properties are affected in regards to the torque converter. I suspect the power steering doesn't see the same heat challenges so may not get the same polymer breakdown. PS fluid seems to be similar to AT fluid and yet doesn't get that burnt orange look so doesn't seem prone to the same break down problems.
I also have not seen a good way to change the fluid. I used a turkey baster to suck out as much as I could from the reservoir, refill, run a week and repeat 2 or 3 more times. This in hopes the steering rack is used enough to mix fresh fluid in each time.
Re: How often do you replace power steering fluid?
Originally Posted by TomCat39
Being the 20 year old fluid is still bright red, I don't think it takes the same beating auto trans do. From my understanding the polymers in the trans fluid break down and then the fluid friction properties are affected in regards to the torque converter. I suspect the power steering doesn't see the same heat challenges so may not get the same polymer breakdown. PS fluid seems to be similar to AT fluid and yet doesn't get that burnt orange look so doesn't seem prone to the same break down problems.
I also have not seen a good way to change the fluid. I used a turkey baster to suck out as much as I could from the reservoir, refill, run a week and repeat 2 or 3 more times. This in hopes the steering rack is used enough to mix fresh fluid in each time.
Did you notice any sort of difference after changing the PS fluid? Did steering effort become easier?
Re: How often do you replace power steering fluid?
Do I Really Need to Flush My Car’s Power Steering Fluid?
Is a power steering flush necessary?
For a long time, mechanic Ed Nemphos was skeptical about whether or not vehicles really need a flush of their power steering fluid.
With engine, transmission, brake and radiator flushes already part of most vehicles' general maintenance schedule - he didn't want to oversell his customers. But that all changed when Nemphos saw firsthand what old power steering fluid is capable of.
“I was a nonbeliever in power steering flushes because I don’t like selling my customers anything they don’t need,” says Nemphos, owner of Brentwood Automotive in Baltimore. “However, I was given a demonstration ... and witnessed the sludge and grit in old fluid. The grit is like sand that gets into the rack and pinion seals and destroys them, which explains why we are replacing racks on fairly late model vehicles that were leaking.”
Because a power steering flush is typically not listed as routine maintenance in a car’s owner’s manual, it’s been a debatable issue among some auto mechanics.
However, we put the question — is a power steering flush necessary? — to several highly rated mechanics. All of them agreed that periodically flushing the power steering fluid is good for your vehicle’s health.
Fluid breaks down
Vehicles with a hydraulic power-steering system use power steering fluid. The fluid essentially works in conjunction with the power steering pump to make it easier for the driver to turn the steering wheel and, therefore, the vehicle.
Brian Peck, director of operations at Midwest Auto Services in Blue Springs, Missouri, says he doesn’t believe in so-called lifetime fluids, adding that all eventually break down.
“As components wear, the fluid will become contaminated with metal and rubber particles,” he says. "Continuous circulation of this contamination will result in increased wear of the pump and gear.”
Hovig Manouchekian, operations manager of Funk Brothers Automotive in Hollywood, California, agrees, adding power steering flushes should be performed as a preventive maintenance measure, just like any other fluid change.
“We recommend a flush to protect the pump from premature failure because of contamination,” Manouchekian says.
When to replace power steering fluid
There are a few signs the power steering fluid may need to be replaced.
Frank Renda, owner of Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn, New York, says dirty fluid or noise coming from the powering steering indicates the fluid may need to be changed. Peck adds that if you hear a moaning or growling-type sound as you turn, it could be an indication that the fluid level is low.
“Power steering systems are sealed, meaning they should not lose fluid over time,” Peck says. “If the system needs to be topped off, the vehicle should be inspected by a technician to determine the source of the leak. Drain and refills should be part of the scheduled maintenance interval.”
One thing the auto pros don't agree on is how frequently power steering fluid should be flushed. Manouchekian says the service should be done about every two years, while Peck recommends about every 75,000 to 100,000 miles. Nemphos says he suggests a flush every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Depending on your vehicle's age and performance, talk to your mechanic about his or her recommendations for a flush.
“You won’t find this service in many manufacturers’ service menus,” Nemphos says. “Car companies compete with one another on how low maintenance their vehicles are. They only have to get the vehicle through the warranty period, and they’re off the hook. Then it’s on you to pay for any repairs.”
When getting information about this service online or from others, you may read or be told that this maintenance system is not very high on the priority list. This is simply not true. While this fluid exchange is not as frequent as an oil change, the condition of the power steering fluid should be checked annually for its condition. Like other hydraulic fluids that are flowing through your Honda, the power steering fluid will breakdown due to collecting dirt and debris particles from continuously running during operation.
Over time, the Honda will become harder to steer, and the overall performance of the vehicle will be impacted. If you are finding it harder to steer your Honda, you will need a certified technician to check on your power steering. If a technician observes that the fluid is low, a darker shade in color, or a distant smell of burning, then they will suggest that it is time to have the power steering fluid exchanged. If you choose to not have this fluid exchanged, your Honda will continue to decline in performance due to the collecting sludge in the fluid. This sludge could potentially force your Honda to not steer, and impact the use of the vehicle.
When getting information about this service online or from others, you may read or be told that this maintenance system is not very high on the priority list. This is simply not true. While this fluid exchange is not as frequent as an oil change, the condition of the power steering fluid should be checked annually for its condition. Like other hydraulic fluids that are flowing through your Honda, the power steering fluid will breakdown due to collecting dirt and debris particles from continuously running during operation.
Over time, the Honda will become harder to steer, and the overall performance of the vehicle will be impacted. If you are finding it harder to steer your Honda, you will need a certified technician to check on your power steering. If a technician observes that the fluid is low, a darker shade in color, or a distant smell of burning, then they will suggest that it is time to have the power steering fluid exchanged. If you choose to not have this fluid exchanged, your Honda will continue to decline in performance due to the collecting sludge in the fluid. This sludge could potentially force your Honda to not steer, and impact the use of the vehicle.
Re: How often do you replace power steering fluid?
Originally Posted by dgdarien
Did you notice any sort of difference after changing the PS fluid? Did steering effort become easier?
It's never been hard or made noise or lost fluid. I was just doing it as part of the fluid change after acquiring the car.
Also, I have no way of knowing if previous owner had already had the fluid flushed. I don't believe they worked on the car themselves. My wife has had it since and I probably should do another flush even though her car is barely driven unlike mine.
Re: How often do you replace power steering fluid?
Originally Posted by tony_2018
I wouldn't run it over the fender, but under the car. The hose.
I assume you're worried about marring your car paint, but I haven't had a spill problem using my home-made power steering flush tool, which hangs over the left front fender.
The tubing is inserted into the return hose and secured with a hose clamp. The quart bottle is only about half full after all fluid is flushed from the gearbox. Prior to the flush, I empty the reservoir by tilting it into a pan.
Re: How often do you replace power steering fluid?
Make sure you only use Honda PS fluid! Otherwise your seals will swell and you will get a leaky rack - at least that's what I did to my EG rack long ago.
When I replaced the rack, I flushed the entire system.
Originally Posted by TomCat39
I used a turkey baster to suck out as much as I could from the reservoir, refill, run a week and repeat 2 or 3 more times. This in hopes the steering rack is used enough to mix fresh fluid in each time.
This, I try to empty the reservoir with a fluid pump when I change the oil. The PS fluid can be recycled with the old oil. I just add the fluid to the used oil.
How often do you replace power steering fluid?
