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I figured this would belong here since steering is obviously critical to handling.
I finally got around to swapping the old fluid with new Mobil1 Synthetic ATF Mercon V this past weekend. My car has like 42000 miles and I have never had it changed. All I can say is that my steering feels very firm again and the looseness has gone away. The steering feels practically brand new again. :yesnod:
How-to:
The steering system contains a tad less than 1 quart of Merc/Merc V transmission fluid, according to the service manuals, so use approximately 1.5 to 2 quarts of new Merc V fluid (specified in the owners manual). This may be redundant, but its only costs you like $3-$6 more. The engine should not be running, but the key must be turned to its first or second position to unlock the steering wheel. Also, this should be done with the fluid to ambient temperature outside....meaning not yet driven for the day.
First put the front of the car on jackstands. Then remove the reservoir dipstick and filter screen, and put them some where clean. With a clean turkey baster, suck out a measured amount of fluid from the power steering fluid reservoir. Remember the amount of old fluid in the baster. Dispose the spent fluid into your oil catch pan. Now suck in new Merc V fluid, to the same amount which you remembered. Put the new fluid into the power steering reservoir. Now turn the steering wheel from lock to lock a couple times, it will take some effort since the system is off. Repeat this process for the 1.5 to 2 quarts of fluid. Its boring, and you'll look like you have nothing better to do, but its worth it. The old fluid coming out will lighten up in color towards the end of the process, but it still will not be 'cherry red'.
When you have swapped up to 2 qts of fluid, be sure to turn the steering wheel lock to lock 2 to 3 last times to ensure all the air is bled out of the system. I don't think air could be present anyway since the system is never actually 'dry', but I like to be safe. Put the filter screen and dipstick back in the reservoir. Carefully start the car (since its still on jackstands) and measure the level fluid in the reservoir....the dipstick is never really accurate, but as long as its somewhere in the middle its fine, indicating that its not over or under filled. Shut off the engine, then lower the car to the ground. Measure the dipstick one more time, since the car is level, and make sure the fluid level is in the middle. Thats it! Drive around and enjoy! :drive: Be sure to throw away the turkey baster.
Keep in mind that you should never completely turn and keep the steering wheel in the left or right most positions, as this puts unnecessary stress on the power steering pump, rapidly increasing the temperature of the fluid. If you do, don't do it for more than 5 seconds, according to all the manuals. Always straighten the steering wheel when you park.
I finally got around to swapping the old fluid with new Mobil1 Synthetic ATF Mercon V this past weekend. My car has like 42000 miles and I have never had it changed. All I can say is that my steering feels very firm again and the looseness has gone away. The steering feels practically brand new again. :yesnod:
How-to:
The steering system contains a tad less than 1 quart of Merc/Merc V transmission fluid, according to the service manuals, so use approximately 1.5 to 2 quarts of new Merc V fluid (specified in the owners manual). This may be redundant, but its only costs you like $3-$6 more. The engine should not be running, but the key must be turned to its first or second position to unlock the steering wheel. Also, this should be done with the fluid to ambient temperature outside....meaning not yet driven for the day.
First put the front of the car on jackstands. Then remove the reservoir dipstick and filter screen, and put them some where clean. With a clean turkey baster, suck out a measured amount of fluid from the power steering fluid reservoir. Remember the amount of old fluid in the baster. Dispose the spent fluid into your oil catch pan. Now suck in new Merc V fluid, to the same amount which you remembered. Put the new fluid into the power steering reservoir. Now turn the steering wheel from lock to lock a couple times, it will take some effort since the system is off. Repeat this process for the 1.5 to 2 quarts of fluid. Its boring, and you'll look like you have nothing better to do, but its worth it. The old fluid coming out will lighten up in color towards the end of the process, but it still will not be 'cherry red'.
When you have swapped up to 2 qts of fluid, be sure to turn the steering wheel lock to lock 2 to 3 last times to ensure all the air is bled out of the system. I don't think air could be present anyway since the system is never actually 'dry', but I like to be safe. Put the filter screen and dipstick back in the reservoir. Carefully start the car (since its still on jackstands) and measure the level fluid in the reservoir....the dipstick is never really accurate, but as long as its somewhere in the middle its fine, indicating that its not over or under filled. Shut off the engine, then lower the car to the ground. Measure the dipstick one more time, since the car is level, and make sure the fluid level is in the middle. Thats it! Drive around and enjoy! :drive: Be sure to throw away the turkey baster.
Keep in mind that you should never completely turn and keep the steering wheel in the left or right most positions, as this puts unnecessary stress on the power steering pump, rapidly increasing the temperature of the fluid. If you do, don't do it for more than 5 seconds, according to all the manuals. Always straighten the steering wheel when you park.
