I had my PS pump changed at the dealership around 60k miles when it gave out. I have 101k miles and recently took it to a fluid specialist and told me that i was lucky that the PS pump didn't pop again. He said that the PS fluid was completely charred (I smelled the fluid and it smelled like burnt BBQ grease) He told me that the PS fluid needs to be completely drained, cleaned and re-filled every 30k miles or so. He also mentioned cars that have really soft steering(like the SC400) the PS pump works extra hard so careful fluid maintenance is crucial...

Anyone else here done the PS fluid change? opinions?

 

Well this is news to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every 30k??????? Geez, I was told my pump is still original but I have 182k on my SC300. Is that possible for it to last this long? I know I have a leak now but this can't be my first PS Pump if it's just now giving out right? I'm going to check mine in few hours and see if I have BBQ grease in mine too!!! damn damn damn damn damn damn damn damn damn damn damn...

 

The power steering pump does start leaking (onto the alternator, actually) fairly early in the car's life... I (and most others, including my Lexus "service consultant") consider it to be a design flaw. Even worse, the dealer will charge you about a thousand bucks to replace it. (Your average garage will charge significantly less, and if your car is under warranty it's obviously covered.)

However, the notion that perhaps changing the fluid every 30K miles might actually prolong its life significantly is something I haven't heard... if true then I'll feel a lot better about replacing mine. (At least I will have a sense that I won't have to replace it again in a couple years.)

There are tons of threads on the board about this stuff... I would recommend doing a search and seeing what you can find. I have the same issue, and am currently debating getting it fixed (as opposed to doing it myself.)

 

i was involved in many of those conversations. I myself had the power steering pump changed once at the dealer to the tune of 700 bucks. This is the first time i've heard this also, thus only being a theory.

 

I just had my alternator replaced in my SC400, and the last thing I want is to have my ps pump go out, and then have to buy another new alternator. I asked the dealer to check the power steering for any leaks, and they said everything looks good.

How do I check this myself? Does the leak usually occur directly under the reservoir where the fluid is filled?

 

yes. alternator is directly under the PS pump and if it is leaking you will seel the PS fluid on the alternator.

 

Yea, my PS pump is in great condition at 110,xxx miles. And I did change the PS fluid about 1000 miles ago. I would highly recommend it, it is incredibly easy and somewhat fun. And the old fluid was DISGUSTING! If I were you, I would change my PS fluid every 2 years, along with your coolant and brake/clutch fluid

 

the place i go to charges me $35... if it is easy i would like to do it myself... could you post procedures?
thank you

 

No prob. You will need 2 people, but 3 will make it easier.

-Get 2 quarts of Toyota Dextron II ATF, a small funnel, a cup, and some rags.
- Jack up the front of the car, or get the front two wheels on some soft ground.
-Position funnel under where the PS fluid return hose connects to the PS resoivor, and place the cup underneath that. Disconnect the hose from the pump and the all fluid in the resoivior will drain into the cup (hopefully)
- Leave the car off and have someone turn the wheel from lock to lock a few times while the old fluid is rushing out of the hose.
- Plug the outlet on the resoivor with finger, Fill the resoivor up with new ATF and have someone turn the car on for 2 seconds while someone else is holding the return hose into the cup. The old nasty fluid will come out of the hose and into the cup.
- Repeat step 5 as many times as you deem neccesary (I think I did it 5 times), the more times the better.
- After flushing out all the old fluid and refilling with nice new ATF, leave the PS cap off and turn the car on and turn the wheels from lock to lock a few times. Turn the car off and refill the resoivor as neccessary.
- Now take the car for a drive around the block, turn it off, and top off the fluid (again, if neccessary). I would recoomend doing this a few times until the fluid level doesnt change. Also, check the fluid the next morning.

PS. I did this on an SC300, aka no alternator under the PS pump. I did have some fluid drip on the ground while disconnecting the return hose from the resoivor (step 3, the worst part). If you have an SC3 its no big deal, but on the SC4 I would highly recommend covering up the alternator with a whole lot of rags. Also, when the old fluid comes rushing out (step 5), it comes out kinda strong, so watch out.

Good luck, and have fun

 

awesome. I put it on my archives. I will do it in another 25k miles.

 

No problem. It really is fun watching your friend get sprayed with some nasty PS fluid while trying to hold that return hose. And it only takes about 30 minutes total.

 

hahahah. you are mean. but i would laugh too.

I have an SC4 so i would just have to make sure that the alternator is well covered.

 

haha yea, it is pretty funny, you'll enjoy it when you flush out your PS fluid. And thats right, keep that alternator covered up

btw, we've both made like 15 posts in the last 5 minutes

 

hahahaha you are right. but i think all 15 posts were very productive and relevant to enhancement of understanding and you have managed to add another DYI to my collection.-

 

Haha yea, true. If you need anymore help, feel free to post or PM me