Changing power steering fluid

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fx35_UCH

Member
Location
City of Angels / SF
Just received my car back and they told me that my pwr steering fluid is dirty thus recommended change pwr steering fluid. I was told that I can achieve this by using a turkey basel, is this true? does anyone have DIY? Thanks.
 
Turkey Baster would just be for sucking the old fluid out of the reservoir. Not a complicated job - just remove the old and pour in the new.
 
Ok so the reservoir is empty.. What happened with the old fluid that is in the line?

Or it doesn't matter?
 
ummm turkey! thanksgiving here already? lol jk, so let me get this straight, we can actually do it ourselves just by sticking that lil pump thingy majigy aka turkey baster to suck out all the fluid out of the powere steering reservoir and then just fill it with new one?? sweeet!!
 
LEXFX said:
ummm turkey! thanksgiving here already? lol jk, so let me get this straight, we can actually do it ourselves just by sticking that lil pump thingy majigy aka turkey baster to suck out all the fluid out of the powere steering reservoir and then just fill it with new one?? sweeet!!
Click to expand...

That's what I said!!! Lol
 
I thought it was more complicated so I haven't done mine in a bit.. I probably do it every 3-4 oil change since its so easy to do..
 
ok im at 76k 2004 fx35awd, should i do it now or should i look at the fluid? what color should i look for again(that will show i need to change it & color that its suppose to be), thanks.
 
Just tried the turkey basel method and it works,kinda. Let me explain: i bought a turkey basel from .99 cent store and due to the width of the turkey basel it only allows me to withdraw 3/4 of the fluid from the reservoir thus, i bought oem/fluid transfer pump from a local auto shop for $10.00 to finish the job. I was planning to DIY but due to bad weather, i had to postpone it until next time. I highly recommend this method~!
 
I did my steering fluid change every 48k ~ 60K km. You have to flush the power steering system to get the old dirty fluid out of the system.

Step 1. Turn on the engine.

Step 2. I use the cheap fluid transfer pump you got at local auto hardware store to suck out the old fluid from the power steering reservoir.

Step 3. Then I pour in about 0.5 ~ 1 liter of new fluid to top up the reservoir.

Step 4. Then turn the steering wheel to all the way to the right till it stops for 5~10 secs and then turn the steering to the left till it stops for another 5~10 secs. And repeat this process about 10 times. This will force the new fluid to cycle through the line and power steering pump.

Step 5. Suck up the fluid in the reservoir and top up with new fluid.

Repeat step 2 ~ 5 till your fluid in the reservoir is clear and pink (all new steering fluid should be clear and pink) and sees no foams on the fluid the pump sucked up. The old fluid is brown, dirty and foamy. Leave the engine turn on all the time, so the power steering pump keeps pumping the fluid through the line and system. You don't have to worry about air gets into the power steering system. It's not like flushing brake fluid. The air in the power steering pump will get push to the reservoir when you turn your steering.

Hope this will help. :smile (2):
 
Last edited:
White_Hair said:
I did my steering fluid change every 48k ~ 60K km. You have to flush the power steering system to get the old dirty fluid out of the system.

Repeat step 2 ~ 5 till your fluid in the reservoir is clear and pink (all new steering fluid should be clear and pink) and sees no foams on the fluid the pump sucked up. The old fluid is brown, dirty and foamy. Leave the engine turn on all the time, so the power steering pump keeps pumping the fluid through the line and system. You don't have to worry about air gets into the power steering system. It's not like flushing brake fluid. The air in the power steering pump will get push to the reservoir when you turn your steering.

Hope this will help. :smile (2):
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leave the car on, even when sucking out the old fluid ? thanks
 
LEXFX said:
leave the car on, even when sucking out the old fluid ? thanks
Click to expand...

Yeah. It won't damage your power steering system, since you are pouring the new fluid back right away and there are always fluid in the lines and power steering rack. Also, your steering is not turning while you are pouring. Don't need to worry about air in the system. It will get push to the reservoir. Or you can shut the car off before you suck the fluid out from the reservoir. It's up to you. No harm either way.

But make sure your engine is on before you can turn the steering right to left or left to right to cycle the power steering fluid through the system. The power steering pump is driven by your accessories belts.
 
What power steering fluid are you guys going with ? OEM ? or aftermarket (Royal purple etc)
Can OEM be bought at Nissan or Infiniti dealer only ?
How much do we need for this DIY ?
 
wrxsti04 said:
What power steering fluid are you guys going with ? OEM ? or aftermarket (Royal purple etc)
Can OEM be bought at Nissan or Infiniti dealer only ?
How much do we need for this DIY ?
Click to expand...

you can use pennzoil dexron III which you can buy @ your local auto shop. Regards to price you are looking around $20 and under ( i bought it for $10.00 and Pennzoil for $4.00). It's pretty simple DIY.
 
I use either Royal Purple ATF or Redline. They are both good products.

If your steering fluid is really dirty, you will probably need about 4~5 qtr for flushing and top up.

Otherwise, should be within 2~3 qtr.
 
Hi all,

I just flushed power sterring fluid and it's so easy to do. thanks for instruction. Now i want to flush break fluid, Anyone do this for FX35, Please help.

Thanks all
 
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