Power steering fluid

[nU7OuxIx]

Anyway, for those that are interested, it is prudent to change the power steering fluid, every 40,000 miles or every two years of driving.

Do you have any references for this? I haven't seen this anywhere and 2 years/40k seems a bit early....and I would be overdue. I would imagine nobody changes the fluid in here as well.

Sponsored

 

[Rhinebeck01]

Do you have any references for this? I haven't seen this anywhere and 2 years/40k seems a bit early....and I would be overdue. I would imagine nobody changes the fluid in here as well.

Google search will net you info on when it is prudent to deal with steering fluid replacement in regard to motor vehicles.

Much depends on the vehicle / the particular fluid used.

Pretty typical is 40,000 to say the very max of 80,000 miles and then you should deal with steering fluid replacement.

As for your thinking "would imagine nobody changes the fluid in here as well" .... Well, I sure would like to think there are other's here that like me, know you can't / should not just ignore the steering fluid / any fluid at that, in a vehicle.

.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I just installed the Apex boost kit and cooler, which essentially drained the reservoir, pump and most of the lines. It did not drain the gear box itself.

I just ordered some Amsoil power steering fluid for it. So, I think I'll purge the gear box of the OEM fluid as I would guess it doesn't have near the flash point, and high temp performance that the fluid I'm putting in has. I've seen someone post somewhere that they overheated their system and got some alerts. With the boosted pressure, I want as much heat performance margin as I can get.

 

[2mnycars]

Google search will net you info on when it is prudent to deal with steering fluid replacement in regard to motor vehicles.

Much depends on the vehicle / the particular fluid used.

Pretty typical is 40,000 to say the very max of 80,000 miles and then you should deal with steering fluid replacement.

As for your thinking "would imagine nobody changes the fluid in here as well" .... Well, I sure would like to think there are other's here that like me, know you can't / should not just ignore the steering fluid / any fluid at that, in a vehicle.

.

When the TSB came out to change the steering box on the 2019 JLU it was wise to check the fluid level after the box was switched. Some posters reported that the steering reservoirs were low after the gear was changed.

 

[roaniecowpony]

When the TSB came out to change the steering box on the 2019 JLU it was wise to check the fluid level after the box was switched. Some posters reported that the steering reservoirs were low after the gear was changed.

That wouldn't surprise me. The system has to be "bled" to get all the air out. If there is any air in the system, it will eventually work its way out by just driving it, and the fluid level will go down.

So...at the risk of needing a football helmet here, I looked into finding a compatible fluid that had a very high flash point to ensure my fluid wouldn't boil if it got very hot when wheeling with my newly added Apex boost kit and cooler (which ups the pressure from 1300 psi to 2000 psi). Almost all the electric power steering fluids I could find had a flash point in the mid 200F range. Amsoil's power steering fluid has a flash point at almost 450F, as well as a higher viscosity at elevated temperatures. That's what i put in the system a couple days ago after purging it of the remaining OE fluid.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

After servicing 3 different early model JL's this week and finding the power steering fluid reservoirs, quite a bit below minimum level on each vehicle...

I figured I would once again, come here and remind owner's..... ...Especially those owner's with 2018 and 2019, 2020 JL's.... to check your power steering fluid level.

Take the time to carefully read through this whole thread before you go out and check or buy/add fluid.

Get a good light and a step stool ... Climb up and look at the backside of the reservoir..... the side facing the fire wall. If you look real close you will see the MAX MIN lines. (Yes, it is possible your Max Min lines may be on the front side of the reservoir)

I had to really look close to find the lines. After I found the lines, I used a black Sharpie to make lines in corresponding places on the opposite side of the reservoir..

When the vehicle is cold... been sitting say all night fill the reservoir so the fluid level is in between the Max and Min lines..

.

 

[2mnycars]

After servicing 3 different early model JL's this week and finding the power steering fluid reservoirs, quite a bit below minimum level on each vehicle...

I figured I would once again, come here and remind owner's..... ...Especially those owner's with 2018 and 2019, 2020 JL's.... to check your power steering fluid level.

Take the time to carefully read through this whole thread before you go out and check or buy/add fluid.

Get a good light and a step stool ... Climb up and look at the backside of the reservoir..... the side facing the fire wall. If you look real close you will see the MAX MIN lines. (Yes, it is possible your Max Min lines may be on the front side of the reservoir)

I had to really look close to find the lines. After I found the lines, I used a black Sharpie to make lines in corresponding places on the opposite side of the reservoir..

When the vehicle is cold... been sitting say all night fill the reservoir so the fluid level is in between the Max and Min lines..

.

It's particularly important to check the fluid reservoir after the TSB's have been done where the steering gear has been replaced. This is the Pitman Box.

 

[21JLURDG]

So...at the risk of needing a football helmet here, I looked into finding a compatible fluid that had a very high flash point to ensure my fluid wouldn't boil if it got very hot when wheeling with my newly added Apex boost kit and cooler (which ups the pressure from 1300 psi to 2000 psi). Almost all the electric power steering fluids I could find had a flash point in the mid 200F range. Amsoil's power steering fluid has a flash point at almost 450F, as well as a higher viscosity at elevated temperatures. That's what i put in the system a couple days ago after purging it of the remaining OE fluid.

According to Apex, the overheating tends to be the electronics in the electric power steering--not the fluid. Keeping the fluid temperature down via an aux cooler will help, but a higher flash point shouldn't be beneficial. On the other hand, I think Mopar stuff tends to be overpriced and I've had good luck with Red Line in the past. The data sheet for Red Line #30404 states it meets both the older MS-11655 and the newer MS-90030, and it's less than half the price of Mopar 68088485ab (or twice the amount for the same price).

 

[21JLURDG]

I just received an email from TRIAX customer service with an updated Product Data Sheet (PDS) for TRIAX Powerfluid 450 PSF which lists specifications " Chrysler MS-11655 and MS-90030 (Mopar)."
https://www.triaxlubricants.com/triax-powerfluid-450

Note: At the time of this post, the website PDS was out of date and customer service confirmed with their technical department that they sent me the most current version. I wish they dated or applied the version number to the PDS.

 

[Odyssey USA]

I just installed the Apex boost kit and cooler, which essentially drained the reservoir, pump and most of the lines. It did not drain the gear box itself.

I just ordered some Amsoil power steering fluid for it. So, I think I'll purge the gear box of the OEM fluid as I would guess it doesn't have near the flash point, and high temp performance that the fluid I'm putting in has. I've seen someone post somewhere that they overheated their system and got some alerts. With the boosted pressure, I want as much heat performance margin as I can get.

I found that Amsoil advertises 16oz of their PS fluid for about $11 (I’m sure the shipping will add a few bucks) & then found this thread where you used Amsoil PS fluid. I guess all is well with it? Says it meets the MS-11655 spec.

Is 16oz enough to do a drain and fill? (Anyone)

 

[Yawnie'sPapa]

Performing FCA document on bleeding power steering system -

No air - trying to prove to another guy who insisted that they all had air and you'd burn out your pump if you didn't follow his method of bleeding.........
The proof is in that I followed the FCA document, and after 2 years, the level hasn't changed any from the dot I put on it a month after buying the Jeep.

 

[21JLURDG]

Performing FCA document on bleeding power steering system -
No air - trying to prove to another guy who insisted that they all had air and you'd burn out your pump if you didn't follow his method of bleeding.........
The proof is in that I followed the FCA document, and after 2 years, the level hasn't changed any from the dot I put on it a month after buying the Jeep.

So what is the method you recommend for bleeding the power steering system? I couldn't find it and I don't have access to OEM service manuals.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I found that Amsoil advertises 16oz of their PS fluid for about $11 (I’m sure the shipping will add a few bucks) & then found this thread where you used Amsoil PS fluid. I guess all is well with it? Says it meets the MS-11655 spec.

Is 16oz enough to do a drain and fill? (Anyone)

I pulled the lines on the steering box and pump, jacked the front wheels off the ground and moved them back and forth, which purged all the fluid out of the steering box.

So, it took a bottle and and a little. IIRC.

 

[Yawnie'sPapa]

So what is the method you recommend for bleeding the power steering system? I couldn't find it and I don't have access to OEM service manuals.

I made my own cap adapter out of layers of acrylic and a large o-ring. I used hole saws in my wood shop upstairs to make the round plastic parts, and my lathe to drill a hole through a bolt.
You can buy adapters like the document recommends on Amazon and other sources. That tells me that these aren't the only ones that use that sort of method if there's a market for them online.

The document is below.

I figure all of my turning and backing and turning tight and maneuvering I have to do to plow snow on our small property with narrow places - I give the PS a really hard workout every winter so wanted to keep a check on things. That plow adds 300 pounds of weight to the front, so it takes a lot more steering effort to turn the tires. Yes, it's a JT (Gladiator) and not a Wrangler - my wife would kill me if I used her Jeep for that sort of thing, but it's the same setup steering-wise.
Her response is always "Not with MY Jeep!"

 

[gonzoflick]

I just did the apex boost kit as well and filled up with this.

https://www.amazon.com/Pentosin-140...08a08d4b80f23d149f8d3de2ba106c18&gad_source=1

Sponsored