Power Steering/Hydro-Boost Flush

[Hook'em_Horns!]

Today, I serviced the PS/HB system with a flush; I took some pictures and thought I’d share my procedure I do regularly to prolong the life of the PS and HB units and keep them functioning properly.

ITEMS NEEDED:

Drain pan
Large channel-lock pliers
5-6’ of 5/16” Fuel Line Hose
Scrap piece of 1x6
Small funnel
2-3 quarts p/s fluid, Just buy a Gallon Jug, it's cheaper.

I'm experimenting with synthetic Dex-VI, but plain PS fluid is fine. I pull heavy in bad traffic and experience higher heat levels than the average user. Looking for a synthetic PS fluid has proven to be an elusive endeavour.



Here we have the culprit at hand,



Compressing the spring clamp,



turn the hose left and right to break the seal, then pull back off the nipple.

CAUTION: in the picture below, you’ll see the curved metal brace coming from the cowl. I STRONGLY recommend you place a rag, towel, blanket, or some kind of cushion here.




When giving the final pull, the release/recoil will have the underside of your wrist striking this, with potential gashes and blood on your truck, resulting in you cussing me later. I pull mine regularly and it comes off much easier than one that's been on for 70-80k miles.

Using the spring clamp, I secure the drain hose at the HB unit




and lay the board to hold the hose in place with the drain pan in site from the Driver’s seat.



With the engine running and in Park, SLOWLY depress the brake pedal till it feels firm at the bottom and hold, turn the steering wheel from 12-3 o’clock and hold, release the pedal SLOWLY to the top, then bring the wheel back to 12 o’clock. Look down and you'll see the flow and then you can adjust your speed of press and release actions so as not to spray fluid out of the drain pan.

Here we see the old, burnt, and dirty fluid beginning to flow.





......................Continued on the next post, I'm too picture happy to conform here.

[Tow Master]

Good wright up!!

[Hook'em_Horns!]

Continue the same procedure alternately turning from 9 to 12 to 3 o’clock until you start to feel the steering bind a bit, usually 4-6 pedal cycles, then turn off the engine.

Grab your funnel and refill to the bottom of the neck of the PS reservoir.



Hold up the funnel so you can see the fluid level coming up and not pour fluid all over, usually about a third of a quart at a time.



Climb back in, start ‘er up, and get after it again, repeating over and over till you see the fluid start to run clear. I know it is tempting to do but, PLEASE!, don’t leave it running while you refill the PS reservoir, the danger is too great to have your Left Arm get caught and have it get D-MAXED.

Here, we see the fluid is now running clean.



Leave the drain hose connected, check the fluid level in the pump, and fill accordingly to the Cold Line. It you over fill it, just pump the pedal a few times to drain.

Remove the drain hose, wipe the nipple clean of residual fluid, and replace the Return Line using the Spring Clip.



Start ‘er up, roll forward turning the wheel and feel the new ‘Creamy Cool Whip’ resistance in your steering, and yer ‘Good to Go’.

[delong_1]

thanks for the "how to" i think im going to try that today

[Hook'em_Horns!]

It's amazing to see the junk that comes out of the bottom of the system. You'll wonder how it ever performed in that condition.

[daddysLBZ]

I guess mine need it,I tow some heavy loads once a week or so.Thanks for the DIY.I will flush mine now that I know how smooth it goes...THANKS

[Hook'em_Horns!]

Originally Posted by daddysLBZ

I guess mine need it,I tow some heavy loads once a week or so.Thanks for the DIY.I will flush mine now that I know how smooth it goes...THANKS

Much easier to perform than coming up with $400+ for a NEW HB unit!

[daddysLBZ]

Originally Posted by Hook'em_Horns!

Much easier to perform than coming up with $400+ for a NEW HB unit!

I'll do meself,and spend the spare $$$ on fuel!!D

[aggar]

NIce write up. Might have to give it a try. How many miles were on that dirty fluid??

[Hook'em_Horns!]

Originally Posted by aggar

NIce write up. Might have to give it a try. How many miles were on that dirty fluid??

Not sure on the miles, I don't even keep track on it anymore as my use is out of GM parameters anyway.

IIRC, under heavy use, GM suggests intervals of 20k miles. That’s a BIG guess as everyone’s definition of ‘Heavy Use’ varies as much as the Owners use varies under even more diverse conditions.

On one end is a light commuter that occasionally pulls the Bass boat out on the weekends. In between is the Owner that pulls 10k lbs, 2-3 times a week. I’m on the other end, sometimes moving 60+k lbs daily.

Add in level or hilly terrain, highway or city use, in light or heavy traffic with extended repeated heavy braking for more than an Hour, how can one pick a definitive point to schedule service?

I just look for the telltale signs of Fluid Wear for my intervals. When backing a trailer and applying the brakes while turning the wheel, you can feel and/or hear, the PS pump whine/strain and sometimes an unusual feel to the pedal also.

Many folks will drive their gassers for hundreds of thousands of miles and never think of changing their PS fluid, then seem perplexed when the unit finally gives up. I have never seen or witnessed a PS pump failure in high mileage vehicles that had the fluid changed regularly.

It’s not uncommon for the HB unit to fail at 50-70k miles on many HDs that have lacked service in this area.