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DCRobert
Dodge Dakota
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6/06/2005
09:08:28
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 Subject: Power Steering flush
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Just wanted to ask for opinions…..
The “dealer” just gave me an estimate of $139 for flushing the power steering. Now, it might be me, but there doesn’t appear to be $139 worth of PS fluid in the power steering system. Obviously from the price there must to be more to it than just changing the fluid. It seems that all a person should have to do is remove the low pressure hose from the cooler, drain it and put new in. Am I over simplifying this or is there actually $139 worth of fluid and labor involved?
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DCRobert
Dodge Dakota
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6/06/2005
09:15:34
|  RE: Power Steering flush
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oh yea...it's a 2000 4.7 4x4, stock, royal purple oil, K&N air and oil.
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John K
Dodge Dakota
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6/06/2005
09:43:31
| RE: Power Steering flush
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I did that myself, all you need is an extra bottle or two of fluid:
Let the fluid drain like you said, reattach the hose and add fresh fluid. Run the engine for a few seconds and check the fluid level. Run the engine some more and turn your steering lock to lock several times to flush the rack, it's easier if you have jack stands under your lower control arms to get the wheels off the ground. Don't hold the steering at full lock for more than a second, that generates a lot of pressure and is not recommended. Now pull the hose again, point it to a bucket and start the engine for about 3 seconds. Your reservoir will now be empty, or close to it. Repeat the above procedure again with fresh fluid, as many times as you like ...just make sure you don't run the reservoir dry for more than a few seconds. When satisfied, reattach all hoses and top off reservoir, check the level a few times over the next day or two.
I did that when I installed a new steering rack on my truck, only I disconnected the LP hose at the rack (for obvious reasons.) The pipe points 'up' at that end, so I held a coffee can over it to redirect the hydraulic oil back down to the bucket while someone else ran the engine for a few seconds. Easy and quick procedure, with surprisingly little mess if you think each step through a little bit.
I bought 5 bottles of fluid, for under $25 from MOPAR, and I have a bottle and half left over. If you have a 4.7 engine, *make sure* you get the right fluid, it is different than most other Chryslers, check your owner's manual for the part number. Don't use ATF.
$139 is definitely a rip-off
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John K
Dodge Dakota
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6/06/2005
10:02:05
| RE: Power Steering flush
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CORRECTION: I disconnected the *high pressure hose* at the rack and power drained it through that, and gravity drained through the low pressure hose connection. You may end up with some air in the the rack after this, Dodge manual reccommends turning steering lock to lock about 20 times to clear this out. Sorry for the misinfo -did this a month ago.
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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6/06/2005
11:57:47
| RE: Power Steering flush
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I ran Amsoil Universal ATF (100% Synthetic) in my 2000 CC 4.7 and it worked perfectly, have also heard of others doing the same with great results. I put on 60K with Amsoil in the P/S when the truck was totalled, the P/S fluid was still nice and cherry red, not all burnt and disgusting like the OEM fluid it replaced.
To get all of the fluid out of the system, jack up the truck, disconnect the hi and low pump lines on the rack, the 2 other steel lines from the rack and turn the tires from left to right a couple of times (engine OFF) while allowing the system to drain for 5 minutes or so. This will get almost all of the fluid out of the pump and rack.
Fill it up with the P/S fluid, start the truck for a couple of seconds and refill, turn wheel left and refill, turn the wheel right and refill, turn the wheel from lock to lock and refill, continue this until the fluid level does not go down.
Don't use any other type of ATF, either use Amsoil Universal ATF or the Dodge OEM fluid. I read in my 03 QC owners manual that Dodge ATF+4 is the factory fill P/S fluid and recommended replacment.
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John K
Dodge Dakota
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6/06/2005
12:26:02
| RE: Power Steering flush
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2000 Dodge factory manual recommends NOT to use ATF in the 4.7 engine power steering, but then ATF+4 wasn't available in 2000.
The parts guy at the dealership seemed rather clueless as to what to give me when I asked for P/S fluid, so I stuck with the owners manual specification.
I think DSW's recommendation is a safer bet than what the 'parts counter' might give you when you ask for power steering fluid.
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DCRobert
Dodge Dakota
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6/06/2005
14:42:30
| RE: Power Steering flush
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Thanks for the good info guys. That's pretty much what thought. This weekend will be oil/filter change time, so perhaps I'll do the PS also. It'a amazing how much the dealer wants for just basic maintance. It's a ripoff.
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olsarge
Dodge Dakota
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6/06/2005
21:50:59
| RE: Power Steering flush
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The p/s fluid has been updated to ATF in a service bulletine
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DCRobert
Dodge Dakota
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6/07/2005
09:19:36
| RE: Power Steering flush
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Are the service bulletins posted online or do you have to subscribe to a service to get them?
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Jeli
Dodge Dakota
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9/17/2005
23:47:44
| RE: Power Steering flush
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Message:
Are the service bulletins posted online or do you have to subscribe to a service to get them?
You can go to the NHTSA site and search for recalls and services bulletins. The service bulletin for the power steering fluid is located at the following web address.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/results.cfm
Hope this helps.
2003 QC 2WD 4.7
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DCRobert
Dodge Dakota
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9/20/2005
10:23:01
| RE: Power Steering flush
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Thanks Jeli!
I havn't had a chance to look at the site yet, but I'll look at it tonight.
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