Power Steering Fluid: Service and Repair

ON-VEHICLE INSPECTION





1. INSPECT DRIVE BELT
a. Visually check the belt for excessive wear, frayed cords, etc. If any defect has been found, replace the drive belt.

HINT: Cracks on the rib side of the belt are considered acceptable. If the missing chunks from the ribs are found on the belt, it should be replaced.

HINT:
^ New belt refers to a belt which has been used less than 5 minutes on a running engine.
^ Used belt refers to a belt which has been used on a running engine for 5 minutes or more.
^ After installing a belt, check that it fits properly in the ribbed grooves.
^ Check with your hand to confirm that the belt has not slipped out of the groove on the bottom of the pulley.
^ After installing a new belt, run the engine for about 5 minutes and recheck the belt tension.

2. BLEED AIR FROM POWER STEERING
a. Check fluid level.
b. Jack up front of vehicle and support it with stands.
c. Turn steering wheel.
1. With the engine stopped, turn the wheel slowly from lock to lock several times.
d. Lower vehicle.
e. Start engine.
1. Run the engine at idle for a few minutes.
f. Turn steering wheel.
1. With the engine idling, turn the wheel left or right to the full lock position and keep it there for 2 to 3 seconds, then turn the wheel to the opposite full lock position and keep it there for 2 to 3 seconds.
2. Repeat
a. several times.
g. Stop engine.





h. Check for forming or emulsification.
If the system has to be bled twice specifically because of forming or emulsification, check for fluid leaks in the system.
i. Check fluid level.

3. CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL





a. Keep the vehicle level.
b. With the engine stopped, check the fluid level in the reservoir.
If necessary, add fluid.
Fluid: ATF DEXRON II or III

HINT: When the fluid is hot, check that the fluid level is within the HOT range on the reservoir/reservoir cap dipstick. If the fluid is cold, check that it is within the COLD range.

c. Start the engine and run at idle.
d. Turn the steering wheel from the lock position to the other side of lock position several times to boost fluid temperature.
Fluid temperature: 80°C (176°F)





e. Check for foaming or emulsification.
If there is foaming or emulsification, bleed the air from the power steering system.





f. With the engine idling, measure the fluid level in the reservoir.
g. Stop the engine.
h. Wait a few minutes and remeasure the fluid level in the reservoir.
Maximum fluid level rise: 5 mm (0.20 inch)
If a problem is found, bleed the air from the power steering system.
i. Check the fluid level.

4. CHECK STEERING FLUID PRESSURE
a. Remove the air cleaner assembly with the air cleaner hose connected.
b. Disconnect the pressure feed tube from the PS vane pump.





c. Connect SST, as shown in the illustration.
SST 09640-10010 (09641-01010, 09641-01030, 09641-01060)

NOTICE: Check that the valve of the SST is in the open position.

d. Bleed the power steering system.
e. Start the engine and run at idle.
f. Turn the steering wheel from the lock position to the other side of lock position several times to boost fluid temperature.
Fluid temperature: 80°C (176°F)





g. With the engine idling, close the valve of the SST and observe the reading on the SST.
Minimum fluid pressure: 2 8,336 kPa (85 kgf-cm, 1,209 psi)

NOTICE:
^ Do not keep the valve closed for more than 10 seconds.
^ Do not let the fluid temperature become too high.





h. With the engine idling, open the valve fully
i. Measure the fluid pressure at engine speeds of 1,000 rpm and 3,000 rpm.
Difference in fluid pressure: 490 kPa (5 kgf/cm2, 71 psi) or less

NOTICE: Do not turn the steering wheel.





j. With the engine idling and the valve fully opened, turn the steering wheel left or right to the full lock position.
Minimum fluid pressure: 8,336 kPa (85 kgf-cm, 1,209 psi)

NOTICE:
^ Do not maintain the lock position for more than 10 seconds.
^ Do not let the fluid temperature become too high.

k. Disconnect the SST
SST 09640-10010 (09641-01010, 09641-01030, 09641-01060)
1. Connect the pressure feed tube.
m. Install the air cleaner assembly with air cleaner hose.
n. Bleed air from the power steering system.





5. CHECK IDLE-UP
a. Turn air conditioning switch off.
1. Start the engine and run it at idle.
2. Fully turn the steering wheel.
3. Check that the engine speed decrease when the vacuum hose of the air control valve is pinched.
4. Check that the engine speed increase when the hose is released.