Go
Back To CARS Tech Corner Home
Why You Should Flush Out Your Power Steering Fluid
Most people at one time or another have encountered a power steering problem with a power steering pump, hoses, gear box or rack & pinion. Failures could be anything from noise, leaks or stiffness when first starting the car. Power steering fluid is designed for power steering systems, different manufacturers sometimes require different fluids. Under NO condition is ATF to be used in power steering systems. The pressure in a power steering system on hard turns is much higher than that in an automatic transmission under load. Power steering fluid is clear in color. Power steering fluid turns dark because of heat created by the high pressure when held in hard turns. The ATF will become very hot under load and start to breakdown causing electrochemical degradation, this also happens with power steering fluid but not as fast with ATF. Once this process starts, your power steering pump and rack & pinion begin to clog with sludge and varnish deposits. The sludge and varnish can cause stiffness, leaks or complete system failures.
Now there is an option. Certified Auto Repair Service can flush your power steering system and safely remove varnish and sludge deposits and cleaning all internal power steering components, including the power steering hoses, power steering pump, rack & pinion and/or gear box. This service is also the best way to remove wear metals that are slowly grinding away on your power steering internal components. Your car’s power steering is thoroughly cleaned and protected with fresh power steering fluid and conditioners that revitalize the seals and O-rings in your power steering system.
If your car’s power steering system is showing any signs of contaminated power steering fluid, noise, stiffness, rough or hard turning, this service is the first thing you should try before it becomes necessary to perform major repair work or even the need for replacement of very expensive power steering components.