Hi Guys,

I have a 1995 mkIII LS400 120,000 miles and have been having a little noise coming from the steering when turning the steering wheel when not in motion ie when parking etc. I checked the fluid level in the reservoir and found it to be a little low so filled it up to the required mark, and this has stopped (reduced considerably) the noise.

However, I would really like to drain out the old fluid completely and replace it with nice new stuff. I topped it up with the noted Castrol Dextron (?) III (II is no longer available) and the new fluid was a lovely red colour, but the existing stuff in the reservoir was a dirty brownish colour.

The question now that I have got around to it is... 1. where is the drain plug located to enable removal of the old fluid and 2. what amount of new fluid is required as a replacement ?

BTW I have been away from this FORUM for a while, and it was great to come back and see that the quality is still here, the help is so comprehensive, I just wish I was more clued up and better able to offer help to others. When I had my old Triumph Spitfire 1500 that would have been another matter - but under the LS400 bonnet just confuses me !

Thanks in advance for your help.

LIGHTYEAR.

 

Hey ~
I had the SAME Issue, ( I got this rubbing EHEHEHE sound when turning the wheel, very slight but was present).
Well I changed out the Power Steering fluid with fresh Dexron III (II is no longer) transmission fluid (like manual says). I used a turkey baster with a straw on the end to get all the fluid out. (the old p/s fluid was a deep brown almost black color, was not transmission fluid).

When all the fluid was removed I noticed that the micro screen filter was covered in black dirty gunk, so I wrapped an antenna in a cotton cloth and swabbed as much of it as I could get from the bottom when the fluid sat I noticed quite a bit settled dirt/black substance on the screen. I wonder if it was this gunk that could have been causing the problem? So what is the “proper” way to clean the steering system/and filter so maybe I can do it or have it done, did not like to see all that dirt/grime I started the car and the steering seemed to be smoother.

I will see if the problem persists after doing the daily drive on the highway. How long does it take for the fluid to get passed all throughout the steering system? Any input would be great,
THANKS!
Paul


**UPDATE**- Noise is GONE steering is 100% perfect the fluid change was the answer !

 

For an excellent set of instructions on changing your PS fluid, check out a recent thread by djl in the SC300/400 forum. The thread is "Power Steering Reservoir". I'm planning on changing out the fluid in both my LS400 and SC300 with synthetic fluid.

 

How is the synthetic working outr for you? I used the "turkey baster" method and did a few passes and now th fluid is a nice pinkish red. I used the Mobil1 ATF and don't seem to have any problems on a 98 ES300.