Power Steering & Transmission Flush really needed?

[spup345]

2000 Toyota Camry XLE V6, 105,000 miles. Big name chain shop said during a routine oil change, "There are metal filings in the power steering fluid and the transmission fluid is 'burnt'". They recommend a full flush of both (around $170 total). My local guy will do a manual drain-replace of as much of the fluid he can for around $70. Is either necessary? You think they are milking me?

Is it easy enough to do myself (I have ramps so I can get under the car easily)? I'll read the DIY if you think it's necessary.

Last FULL tranny flush was done 4.5 years ago. Never touched the power steering...

[flyeri]

I am not sold on the "flush" idea like some are. I do like getting as much of the old fluid out as possible but the power flush is not the only way. You man be able to do it yourself through the trans cooler line on your year model. Look for the DIY and I'm sure someone else can confitm or deny this possibility. If you don't want or can't do the self flush you can do the drain and refill easily if you have some ramps, wrenches, and a funnel. Your manual will tell you how much fluid and which type you need for a drain and refill. For reference a 95 takes about 2.6 qts Dexron II. At 100k miles I would consider draining, remove the pan and replace filter. You can see how much metal is in the bottom of the pan. That model may have some magnets on it. Then reinstall pan with a new gasket and refill. Drain and refill again a couple weeks later to get more of the old oil that was in the torque converter. I drain and refill about every 15k miles. It only takes about 10 minutes.

[spup345]

Sounds good, what about the power steering though?

[Chris Crash]

Do it. It won't hurt anything. If they say it's burnt, might as well do it anyway!

[#2!]

Metal shavings in the power steering fluid? How did they find that?

[hill8570]

Originally Posted by spup345

Sounds good, what about the power steering though?

There's a DIY on changing out your PS fluid -- see http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t19334.html . It's easy, and if your PS fluid hasn't been changed in 105K miles, it's probably worth doing. I'd take a look at the old fluid to try to see these "metal filings" -- if they're not just bullshitting you, that's something to keep an eye on.

[spup345]

Yea, can't hurt, will do them both. I'll see if I can do them DIY along with good ole dad's help (who always brags about how he was the first one to have on-demand music in his Rambler by wiring a reel-to-reel in his trunk up to his front stereo back in the good ole dayz for dates of course). Tnx folks

[Hajoca]

You get alot of black crud inthe power steering reservoir. It has built in filter screen to keep larger parts out of the system.

Take a magnet to the dip stick from power steering reservoir and see the black particles move to the magnet.

[ddagsyn]

[quote=Hajoca;3006037]You get alot of black crud inthe power steering reservoir. It has built in filter screen to keep larger parts out of the system.

Take a magnet to the dip stick from power steering reservoir and see the black particles move to the magnet.[/quot

how safe is it to use the ATF for the transmssion in the power steering? given the additives etc. I know that the power steering fluid calls for ATF dexron. Or is there a special atf dexron for the power steering.
thanks

[hill8570]

Originally Posted by ddagsyn

how safe is it to use the ATF for the transmssion in the power steering? given the additives etc. I know that the power steering fluid calls for ATF dexron. Or is there a special atf dexron for the power steering.

ATF is just that -- Automatic Transmission Fluid. Since the owner's manual calls out Dexron II or III-compatible ATF as the recommended fluid, it's perfectly safe

[projektvertx]

Originally Posted by ddagsyn

how safe is it to use the ATF for the transmssion in the power steering? given the additives etc. I know that the power steering fluid calls for ATF dexron. Or is there a special atf dexron for the power steering.
thanks

It's perfectly safe to use Dextron fluid in your power steering reservoir, in fact, it says to use it right on the reservoir cap. I'ts the standard trans fluid, nothing special. I believe trans fluid is built to withstand more rigorous temperature and pressure requirements than regular power steering fluid, so dunno...

I've never been a big fan of transmission flushes as I've heard a lot of horror stories of what can happen after, especially on higher mileage engines. But the power steering flush is not big deal, I would make sure to check out what this "metal chip" story is all about beforehand...