Power Steering Fluid Swap (Using Fluid Transfer Pump)

fxlr8

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Administrator
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IF YOU USE THIS DIY PLEASE +1
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I DID THIS ON MY 2008 M45 BUT THE PROCESS SHOULD BE SIMILAR ON MANY CARS.

TOOLS:
FLUID TRANSFER PUMP
EMPTY PLASTIC BOTTLE

SUPPLIES:
DEXRON VI ATF (I USED FULL SYNTHETIC) - CHECK YOUR VEHICLES RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHICH FLUID TO USE.

1. REMOVE ENGINE COVER AND LEFT ENGINE BAY COVER (MAY BE POSSIBLE TO DO THIS PROCEDURE WITHOUT REMOVING THE COVERS BUT I REMOVED THEM ANYWAYS.)
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2. UNCOVER YOUR POWER STEERING RESERVOIR AND USING THE FLUID TRANSFER PUMP, PUMP OUT ALL THE FLUID FROM THE RESERVOIR.
P1050037.jpg

3. REFILL THE RESERVOIR WITH YOUR NEW DEXRON VI (CHECK YOUR VEHICLES FLUID REQUIREMENTS) TO THE PROPER LEVEL AND REPLACE THE COVER.
P1050038.jpg

4. FOR STEP 4 YOU HAVE A FEW OPTIONS:

(PICK ONE BELOW)
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a. START YOUR CAR AND MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL FROM FULL LOCK LEFT TO FULL LOCK RIGHT A FEW TIMES TO GET THE NEW FLUID TO FLOW THROUGH THE SYSTEM. TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. REPEAT STEPS 2-4A-3 UNTIL THE FLUID REMOVED BEGINS TO MATCH THE NEW FLUID.

b. REPLACE THE FLUID AT EVERY OIL CHANGE.

c. (THIS IS THE STEP I TOOK) - EVERY COUPLE DAYS OF DRIVING DO STEPS 2-3, UNTIL THE REMOVED FLUID BEGINS TO MATCH THE NEW FLUID.
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5. AFTER YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH THE COLOR OF THE RESERVOIR FLUID YOU ARE DONE.

HERE ARE PICTURES OF THE FLUID COLOR AFTER EVERY CHANGE:

SWAP 1:
P1040952.jpg

SWAP 2:
P1040954.jpg

SWAP 3:
P1040987.jpg

SWAP 4:
P1050040.jpg

SWAP 5:
P1050041.jpg

COLOR OF NEW DEXRON VI:
P1040955.jpg

NOTES: YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET 5 SWAPS WITH 1 QUART OF FLUID.
 

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Nice DIY. How much fluid does one swap require?

...
2. UNCOVER YOUR POWER STEERING RESERVOIR AND USING THE FLUID TRANSFER PUMP, PUMP OUT ALL THE FLUID FROM THE RESERVOIR.
P1050037.jpg

...

This pic makes me want Gatorade.
 

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Was planning on doing this today. Makes it a lot easier. Bought some mobile 1 full syn ATF fluid, which should work just as good, right?

Thanks for a nice DIY Jeff!
 
Nice DIY. How much fluid does one swap require?

This pic makes me want Gatorade.

Around 6oz

You should be able to get around 5 swaps with 1 quart. I am going to be my doing my last swap in a couple days and I have around 8oz left in my quart container.

Was planning on doing this today. Makes it a lot easier. Bought some mobile 1 full syn ATF fluid, which should work just as good, right?

Thanks for a nice DIY Jeff!
I believe DEXRON VI replaces the old required DEXRON III, that's what it says on the back of the bottle.
 
I have one question though. Wouldn't you just be better off removing the power steering fluid drain plug from the bottom of the car to let out all the dirty fluid and then proceed to fill it with completely new fluid instead of pumping it out?

I know the 2nd gen's have a drain plug for that at the bottom of the car.
 
Question, why are you using tranny fluid for the steering pump? Is it all basically the same thing?

Recommended by the owners manual as an alternate.

I have one question though. Wouldn't you just be better off removing the power steering fluid drain plug from the bottom of the car to let out all the dirty fluid and then proceed to fill it with completely new fluid instead of pumping it out?

I know the 2nd gen's have a drain plug for that at the bottom of the car.

No drain plug that I am aware of in the FSM for my M. In fact it doesn't even mention how to change the fluid. I believe you have to disconnect the lines and start the car to fully get all the fluid out. This method provided above is just an available maintenance option.
 
Hmmmm that's weird. I know on the 2nd gens there is a drain plug on the back of the power steering pump. At least this is what the dealer told me when I was thinking about flushing the power steering fluid.
 
Here is the 2Gen FSM PS section.

1-11.png
2-8.png
 

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Swap 5 added.

1 quart of ATF will give you 5 swaps. If your really want to maintain the fluid you could probably do 1 swap every oil change.
 
Hey I found some genuine Nissan/Infiniti power steering fluid as recommended by the factory service manual:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GENU...arQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_851wt_948

---------- Post added at 08:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:14 PM ----------

Oh I forgot to ask but what miles did you change this on your M45 and FX? I'm starting to think about doing this to my 2nd gen since I'm at 34K.

My M has around 35K.

I would just stick with DEXRON VI since it is also recommended by the FSM and it comes in a quart for around the same price as the 12 ounce Nissan stuff.

fluid.png
 

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Good question, I couldn't find anything in the service schedules except to just top it off if needed. I figured it couldn't hurt to keep it somewhat clean.
 
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