How to Replace the Power Steering Fluid on a Ford Ranger

How to change the power steering fluid on your Ford Ranger. The truck I am working with here today is a 1998 equipped with a 2.5L 4cyl, 2wd, and has a power steering cooler. Typically old power steering fluid will appear to be dark in color and this is cause from a mixture of things such as the oil breaking down from heat, contaminants, and even material from components breaking down such as seals or components slowly wearing. Old or dirty fluid can cause poor lubrication, components to prematurely fail, reduced thermal properties, become easily frothy or foamy, the viscosity can be affected. As a generic interval, power steering fluid should be changed every 80,000km or 50,000 miles. #ford #fordranger #mazdabseries

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Tools/Supplies Needed:
-interlocking pliers
-jack and jack stands
-drain pan
-power steering fluid
-17mm wrench

Procedure:
Ensure the engine has came up to operating temperature, this will ensure the power steering fluid is warm so it can flow easier.

Elevate the truck, from this I have used jack stand. The power steering pump and reservoir is one assembly and located on the driver’s side of the engine bay.

Now going under the truck, you’ll need to find the lower pressure when goes to the oil cooler and uses clamps to hold the hoses in place. The high pressure lines will have a special crimped connection.

Using interlocking pliers, remove the clamp on the lower line. If your trunk isn’t equipped with an oil cooler, then you’ll have to pick the lowest line which maybe a steel line that has a fitting going into the power steering rack. Using the lowest line ensures you’ll have all the old fluid drained from the system instead of having some remaining which can contaminate the new fluid.

Considering I haven’t removed the fluid from the reservoir on the pump, more fluid will come out here. Using a turkey baster or suction pump can be used to remove the fluid from the reservoir, but it’s an extra step which really isn’t needed as you can drain it here directly to a drain pan.

Allow the system to drain. Fluid can still remain in the steering rack, so turn the steering to full lock each way so the remaining fluid can be pushed out.

As an added step, to ensure all the fluid is out of the pump and high pressure line. Using the owner’s manual, locate the fuse diagram and determine which fuse and relay controls the fuel pump. Remove those two components to make sure the truck won’t start and then turn the engine over which will rotate the pump at a slow speed. A couple times is all thats needed.

Once done, all the fluid should have been removed from the system and we can reconnect the low pressure line.

Replenish the system, it takes the same fluid as the transmission which is MERCON and this information can be found in your owner’s manual. From what I’ve found online the system holds 1.05 quarts or 0.99 litres.

The fluid will slowly drop, it does take a minute and wait until it stops going down.

Then operate the steering, turning it lock to lock. The fluid will eventually make it’s way through the system, pushing out a majority of the air. Do this with the engine off so we can avoid the pump cavitating. You may notice the fluid level rising which is normal, just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t overflow and add more oil when required.

After the fluid seems to maintain a constant level, reinstall the fuse and relay, then start the engine and keep an eye on the fluid level. Again turn the steering left and right, full lock each time. Do not hold the steering wheel at it’s full lock more than a second or two as you can damage the power steering pump. Continue to monitor the fluid level, you may see frothing in the fluid which is small bubbles, making it look somewhat milky which is normal as that’s air exiting the power steering system. Do not drive the vehicle until all the air has been fully bleed.

Once the fluid level remains at a constant level and the frothing has disappeared, ensure there is no fluid leaks and you’re done.

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