sheila814

I did make one out of an asparagus can because I wanted a metal one, but my husband (metal expert, welding QC on nuclear power plants) said it would rust in no time. So then someone suggested an big aluminum beer can, Which made me think a Foster beer would taste great, be fun to drink and turn into a great shield. So I will buy a couple and see how it goes,
Will be back with an update!

dicer

Yeah or stainless steel, could just paint the steel one too. When I get the time I'm going to build something too.

eicca

Chasing a similar issue as the OP here, my power steering works fine when cold but when hot it stops functioning at idle. I intend to try all of the above.

One question I have: I tried bleeding the system by raising the front end and just turning the wheels lock to lock a bunch of times with the car off and the key in ACC position. What I've realized is that the solenoid was still closed when I tried this and thus I probably didn't completely purge all the passages in the rack.

I assume that bleeding will be more effective with the solenoid open? Starting/stopping the engine a bunch of times bugs me so I assume it would work ok to just turn the wheels while the key is in ON so the solenoid is open and allowing all the fluid to move.

dicer

Best way to bleed it is with engine running, front end jacked off the ground, and going from lock to lock, and make sure the fluid is up to as you do it x amount of times.

Maltrix

thank you for the guide. I recently changed the air valve and did a power steering flush on my newly purchased 99. the system had regular power steering fluid in the system so I changed it to atf. while bleeding the brakes and turning the wheel back and forth the steering became much firmer. I thought maybe it was some air coming through still but the reservoir has no bubbles, I took it for a ride it drives fine but the steering firmer than it was. I'd say it's on par now with my 2011 camry se.

So do you guys think I screwed up something or is this what atf does to the system vs regular power steering fluid?

dicer

The regular PS fluid would be the problem, and the air valve could be a problem too.

Maltrix

This car had its power steering hoses replaced in 2015 about 10k miles ago. I'm not sure what was in it before I just know it was oily like normal PSF usually is and the steering felt easier to turn before adding the ATF. The Valve doesn't appear to be leaking but one of the hoses is missing a clamp. I figured it was steering nice without so it probably didn't need it. I had my gf drive it(its her car) and she didn't notice a difference. Guess i should I could leave well enough alone i just want to know if there was an obvious reason for this.

scunyon

I used an oil drain plug from Autozone. It was part #652306 that had the matching thread.

Biddles

iTrader: (2)

Great thread. It's been a long time coming that I handle my PS problem. Since the temperatures dropped it got noticeably worse, but it was making some noise prior to winter. I don't think I need any new parts though, I think it's just old age and air in the lines.