power steering fluid

[peteA]

Just got my cerb 4.2 V8 and checked the fluids, one of which was the power steering fluid.

Its appearance is cloudy and dirty, almost looks like mud. It should be a red colour yeh..? The steering itself works fine just concious that it could do with changing...assume leaving it will only increase the load on the PS pump?

Is it much of a job to change? Where is the drain point? When re-filling via the bottle at the front near the radiator, does the system require bleeding? If so where?

Finally, does any power steering fluid do the job?

Thanks in advance

Good bunch on here, very helpful.

[alderley]

peteA said:

Just got my cerb 4.2 V8 and checked the fluids, one of which was the power steering fluid.

Its appearance is cloudy and dirty, almost looks like mud. It should be a red colour yeh..? The steering itself works fine just concious that it could do with changing...assume leaving it will only increase the load on the PS pump?

Is it much of a job to change? Where is the drain point? When re-filling via the bottle at the front near the radiator, does the system require bleeding? If so where?

Finally, does any power steering fluid do the job?

Thanks in advance

Good bunch on here, very helpful.

Mobil ATF220 was used originally. I use high quality red power steering fluid. When I had the problem, water had got in via the filler cap so make sure yours is OK and tight. To change the fluid, I disconnected a pipe, drained out the fluid, reconnected it, refilled and repeated the process. Fluid is a lot cheaper than a new pump and rack. Don't rest until that fluid is crystal clear.

[brogenville]

whether or not it's strictly necessary, the manual does say that you should bleed the system after by jacking the front wheels off the ground, the slowly turning the steering from lock to lock a few times.

[Old Geezer]

brogenville said:

whether or not it's strictly necessary, the manual does say that you should bleed the system after by jacking the front wheels off the ground, the slowly turning the steering from lock to lock a few times.

I think this is important and is sensible normal practice for all hydraulic power steering.
Air pockets could cause strange erratic movement, which you don't want while driving!

[peteA]

brogenville said:

whether or not it's strictly necessary, the manual does say that you should bleed the system after by jacking the front wheels off the ground, the slowly turning the steering from lock to lock a few times.

Thanks Brogenville - sounds simple enough - will add that to my list of winter jobs!