[styx]

There are several threads discussing power steering and power steering fluid. I was unsuccessful finding a specific thread that details how to change your power steering fluid.

On a SWAG (Scientific Wild Guess), I took a trip down to my local auto supply store and purchased a bulb syphon and a quart of Mobile1 synthetic ATF fluid (~$10 total).

After the car was warmed up, I pulled on to level ground.
I needed to remove the ram air scoop first to gain access to the resevoir. Access to the resevoir is accomplished with a 10mm socket wrench. Remove the two (2) bolts to gain easy access to the power steering resevoir. FYI: this resivoir is on the front right side of the car, when viewed from behind, and has a yellow lid.

I removed the yellow lid and syphoned the resevoir until it was empty. I tucked a rag around the resevoir and filled it to the top of the HOT MAX line (which is the highest of four (4) lines) on the side of the resevoir.

I drove around the neighborhood slowly turning lock to lock in an attempt to cycle the fluid throughout the system.

I returned to level ground and syphoned the resevoir until it was empty a second time. Please note that the fluid from the resevoir was warm, not necessarily hot to the touch, but the bottle with the old fluid was warm to the touch. Also, remember to put the lid on the resevoir before you drive your car!

I completed this process four (4) times. The fluid changed colors from black, not as black or dark as used motor oil but close, to almost cherry juice red; just like the ATF fluid.

After the fluid change was complete, I reattached the air dam I removed to gain access to the resevoir.

I noticed the wheel feels smoother, firmer, yet soft... it feels good! The job took approximately 30 minutes to complete. Fueled with motivation and success, I took another trip down to the parts store and changed the wife's ES300 in under 20 minutes.

I did not take pictures because this is a straight forward job.


Good luck!

[JAYMAC10]

I'm thinking about doing this as well.

Is there another way to remove/cycle the old fluid out without having to add-drive-syphon-add-drive-syphon a bunch of times? It seems like kind of a waste of new fluid doing it that way...

Also, is there a particular power steering fluid that is best to use?

Thanks,

Jay

[A-man]

Good job. Think I'll do this too. Did you look at the steering rack to see if there was any way to drain from under there?

[JAYMAC10]

Other question I had was it doesn't actually say when to replace the power steering fluid in the maintance schedule... But I would assume that at some point it should be replaced...

The stuff can't last forever can it?

[Mack]

You could also drain it out by undoing one of the PS hoses at the steering rack.

[Mykl]

I had to do this because my power steering would randomly cut out at autocrosses. The stock fluid just couldn't keep up with the constant back and forth. I used Redline synthetic.

I basically sucked the reservoir dry, filled it, turned the steering wheel back and forth a few times, and repeated. I think I did this maybe 4 or 5 times. I wasted a bunch of new fluid, but the power steering hasn't cut out on me since.

[iLuveKetchup]

Originally Posted by Mykl

I had to do this because my power steering would randomly cut out at autocrosses. The stock fluid just couldn't keep up with the constant back and forth. I used Redline synthetic.

I have the same issue. I'm glad a simple fluid change will resolve it. I need to do this asap. Thanks everyone!!!

[styx]

A few things:
-I changed the fluid due to mileage and was curious if it would modify (increase) the feel within the steering wheel.
-If you have boiled the fluid (AX) you will need to change the fluid.
-If you drain all the fluid from the underside of the car by removing a hose, you will need to take extra precautions since you will introduce a large air buble into the system.
-I used Moble1 Synthetic ATF fluid. Check the manual, I believe it states to use ATF fluid... I have not had a single negative issue since the change. I put Castrol ATF in the Lexus.

[kcarpent]

I've been running Mobile 1 ATF as power steering fluid for 2 years (35,000) miles.
No Issues, getting ready to do it again.

I used the partial fluid exchange method as described above and 4 quarts of Moble 1 ATF.

[jdp530]

I went ahead and siphoned out old fluid using a turkey baster, refilling, then driving it for a few blocks. I did this a few times until fluid was clean. Mobil 1 is expensive tho, about $9/qt over here. I guess you could use some cheaper fluid just to fill/siphon until old fluid has been removed, then do it once or twice more with the Mobil 1.

If my son had been here to help I would have tried disconnecting return line to reservoir and dumping old fluid into a bottle with engine running then refilling reservoir unitl return line fluid is clean.