Changing Power Steering Fluid - advice needed

[avalonshoe]

Did I miss a step?

I was working on my Avy (1MZFE) and assumed the smaller hose (3/8) as the return hose.

The ATF siphoned from the reservoir was honey-like in sight and feel which led me to believe that the rest of the ATF in the PS system was like that.

But as I was pumping out (turning the steering wheel) and replenishing the reservoir with new ATF, I only saw my brand new Royal Purple ATF coming out from the return hose. (I think I just wasted my ATF) I've never changed the PS fluid before so I highly doubt that it's that clean.

I'm not sure how the liquid circulates in the power steering system, but is it possible that the old ATF inside PS system is so thick that it won't mix with the new ATF or so thick that it can't be forced through the return hose?

[Yuko]

Originally Posted by avalonshoe

Did I miss a step?

I was working on my Avy (1MZFE) and assumed the smaller hose (3/8) as the return hose.

The ATF siphoned from the reservoir was honey-like in sight and feel which led me to believe that the rest of the ATF in the PS system was like that.

But as I was pumping out (turning the steering wheel) and replenishing the reservoir with new ATF, I only saw my brand new Royal Purple ATF coming out from the return hose. (I think I just wasted my ATF) I've never changed the PS fluid before so I highly doubt that it's that clean.

I'm not sure how the liquid circulates in the power steering system, but is it possible that the old ATF inside PS system is so thick that it won't mix with the new ATF or so thick that it can't be forced through the return hose?

How much ATF were you able to use? The fluid should flow from the reservoir, to the pump, to the rack, then back out the return line. After you plug the inlet to the reservoir (the higher of the two), it should take about a quart to cycle through the system.

If you think the old fluid it too think, you can perform this service after a short drive that warms up the P/S fluid.

Here's another DIY on the power steering that may help you:
DIY: Power Steering Fluid Flush/Exchange

[avalonshoe]

Originally Posted by Yuko

How much ATF were you able to use? The fluid should flow from the reservoir, to the pump, to the rack, then back out the return line. After you plug the inlet to the reservoir (the higher of the two), it should take about a quart to cycle through the system.

If you think the old fluid it too think, you can perform this service after a short drive that warms up the P/S fluid.

The red fluid immediately came out as soon as i was turning the steering wheel. Looks like it came straight from the bottle. I likely wasted a quart of new ATF.

I'll try to change the fluid immediately after driving for bout 20 mins.

[ghost_003]

Hey guys,

So after I got my 98 camry a couple months back I was looking for DIYs online and came across this one. So I followed everything that was in this thread and the P/S Flush went really smoothly.

The following pics are of my P/S Flush:

[zillah]

ghost_003
Could you please advise from where did you get those metal connectors that are attached to the transparent hose ?
Regards

[fenixus]

^ it looks like a 3/8'' barbed fitting (both ends) and the other one is probably tapped on one end so a stop bolt/nut can be installed.
can get it from Home Depot or Lowes' etc, HD is where I got mine from.

[ghost_003]

Originally Posted by zillah

ghost_003
Could you please advise from where did you get those metal connectors that are attached to the transparent hose ?
Regards

I picked up all connections from home depot and the clear hoses from canadian tire. I can't remember exactly what size but I think fenixus is right. 1x 3/8" barbed on both ends
1x 3/8" barbed to 3/8" threaded
1x 3/8" cap

I think thats what they are. I could try measuring the pieces and posting confirmation.

Also what I did was before I started, I made sure to put the barbed connection in the hose and take it out again a few times just to make sure it would be easier to remove at the end of the P/S flush. Just insert a couple notches at a time to make sure to hose loosens up a bit. A friend of mine did his a few days before and we couldnt pull the barb out. He had inserted the barb all the way in on the first try.

[avalonshoe]

Remember that they are "3/8 barbs" and NOT just 3/8 connectors. I got the double barbs at Lowes hardware stores. They have a lot of piping connectors but barely any barbs (bc it's mainly used for fish tanks and such low pressure piping).

[visionviper]

I just did this on my 98 Corolla (found this thread looking on Google). I'm glad I did it. Not only does the steering take less effort now, the old fluid had some nastyness in it. When I was dumping the bucket I used into my oil collection bucket and I got down towards the bottom I saw all the dirty black crap draining out. I'm glad to not have that in my power steering anymore.

[rebar]

Originally Posted by jempol

Hi, I have 94 Camry V6. The reservoir have 4 connection like picture below, which one is the return hose? Can somebody help explain the connection A, B, C and D on the picture. How do I flush the fluid with this 4 connection? Thank you very much.

I need to know also because my 95 V6 looks like this.

[dz63]

I am only a DIYer, so take this post with a grain of salt. I have read that on the 94/95 V6 Camry, the cooling fan is hydraulically driven. That is why there is two supply and two return hoses on your power steering fluid reservoir.

I have also read that sometime in 96, Toyota abandoned this design and went back to an electric cooling fan. Someone posted the power steering diagram on a Lexus forum. The diagram is quite helpful to understand how the four hoses are connected on your power steering reservoir.



What I don't know is which are the supply hoses and which are the return hoses in your photo. According to TN forum member noodlerooney (post #34 above), the lower, larger diameter hose supplies fluid to the power steering pump and the upper, smaller diameter hose is the return of fluid to the reservoir. I assume that this is consistent with your power steering reservoir also.

The first step is to determine which hose goes to the steering rack (labelled PS gear housing on the above diagram) and which hose goes to the cooling fan (ie. hydraulic motor on the above diagram). You could do this by trial and error or ask a Toyota dealer in your area.

To exchange the fluid would be a two step process - first do the steering rack circuit, then cycle the solenoid valve on and off to exchange the fluid in the hydraulic cooling fan circuit. The first circuit is easy - follow the steps posted in this DIY procedure. The second circuit not so easy. You need to figure out how to manually cycle the solenoid valve on and off.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.