Flushing Power Steering Fluid and Replacing Pump

Joe Jeep Owner · **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2007 12:59 pm

Went and got an oil change over the weekend and much to my surpise (yeah right) the "technician" came back with a whole laundry list of recommended services I need for the Jeep (2002, 52,000 miles).

I know some are required and some are "suggested" but I wasnt letting a quick lube place complete the work. One of the items that caught my eye was flush and replace power steering pump. My mechanic is out of town for a little while so some of the stuff will have to wait, but in all honesty the power steering fluid doesnt seem all that difficult to take care of, even for a non-mechanical person like myself.

I'm currently not having any problems (squelling, tight turning, loud pump etc) but is this something I should do anyway? Also, is this something I should try on my own and leave it to a pro or?? Just curious, I found some instructions online that dudnt seem all that difficult so I thought I would give it a try. Anything I should know or expect out of the ordinary?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2007 1:16 pm

The pump does not need to be replaced unless it leaking bad or not working.. And it seems like its working just fine.. They just want $$..

Use a turkey baster and get all the fluid out that you can. Put new in and be done with it.

Joe Jeep Owner · **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2007 1:19 pm

So is there any need to flush the lines or anything? I thought that's all they were trying to do, that's why I dont trust a lot of them.

I'm having no problems at all, so I may just leave well enough alone. I just figured it would be something I can do so I would give it a shot. How ofter do you replace your power steering fluid under general maintenance (at work, dont have my manual)?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2007 1:24 pm

It doesnt say anything about it in the manual.. Most people probably never change their fluid.. Since I go offroad alot and tow a boat sometimes, Im going to change mine out at 30k..

Joe Jeep Owner · **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:28 pm

Thanks JeepJeepster!

I think I will leave well enough alone since I'm not having any problems, I knew most of the stuff they were listing was probably just a way for them to make cash. I think it was $89.99 to flush, replace and refill.

They did get me for $99.99 to flush and replace the transmission fluid, which has been done. Since I couldnt do it myself I did have them do that. I think it's $179 at the dealer.

Phadeout · **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2007 5:00 pm

Joe Jeep Owner wrote:

Thanks JeepJeepster!

I think I will leave well enough alone since I'm not having any problems, I knew most of the stuff they were listing was probably just a way for them to make cash. I think it was $89.99 to flush, replace and refill.

They did get me for $99.99 to flush and replace the transmission fluid, which has been done. Since I couldnt do it myself I did have them do that. I think it's $179 at the dealer.

Did they replace the Tranny filters though? For 100 bucks, doesn't sound like they did...

Joe Jeep Owner · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2007 12:14 pm

I'm not sure, I will have to check the invoice. If not, does that mean I wasted $100!

jdumont · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2007 12:22 pm

Oh man, not a waste of the $100 but when you drop the pan to replace the filter you will lose a lot of the new fluid that was just put in. Once you do the filter you will have to add tranny fluid to bring it back up to spec.

Joe Jeep Owner · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2007 1:03 pm

Wonderful, this is why I dont trust mechanics and dealers. Oh well, I guess all I can do is check the invoice when I get home and go from there. If it says flush plus parts I would assume it was done, if not then I guess I'm SOL.

jdumont · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2007 1:25 pm

I havent had mine done yet but I think the way flushes are done now is all through the filler tube and they do not drop the pan, hence they wouldnt even see the filter let alone change it. If what you asked for didnt specifically say change the filter (and judging by what you payed it prob didnt) then they did you no wrong. Normally I see flush and fill with filter change going for $150-$200 from lube places and dealers. Sometimes my dealer runs a $139 special if I remember correctly.

Joe Jeep Owner · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2007 1:35 pm

Yeah that's what they told me, dealers run about $175-$200. I dont think they dropped the pan either, I remember them hooking up a machine to flush/fill. Cant be sure until I check or call and ask.

So if I start having any problems I should check the filter or I need to get it into a dealer ASAP to have it redone?

jcphoto20 · **Joined:** Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:36 am **Posts:** 507

if they only charged $100 for a flush... then you have some seriously cheap fluid in there and most likely old filters, id get it done right as soon as possible

jdumont · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2007 1:38 pm

The flushing is the part you cant really do at home. I would just drop the pan and change the filter myself. Then just top off the fluid with the correct Mopar fluid (ATF +4 I believe) and be done with it. You shouldn't need to bring it somewhere for the filter change.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2007 5:09 pm

As far as doing a tranny flush I would highly recommend it because you end up replacing all the ATF not just 4-5qts.Most places do not do a filter change unless you specify,and on that note the good flush machines have a flow meter so they can tell if your filters are in need of changing also(trust me I did many),but you still need to change the filter every so often.They way I do it is have the tranny flushed every 15,000 miles then replace the filters every 30,000(right after having a flush done).The filters should be good for at least 30,000 if not 60,000 miles anyway.Just make sure when you have your tranny flushed that the place uses ATF+4,those flushes tend to run more than flushes using Dextron III.

Flushing Power Steering Fluid and Replacing Pump

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