adding P/S fluid?

[1990LTD]

Complete n00b question again, but where's my p/s fluid reservoir? I checked the dipstick and it's mighty low, need to add some...but yeah, I found the p/s dipstick easy enough but I have no idea where the reservoir is? I always understood the dipstick to actually be ontop of the reservoir but I don't want to fuck this up on myself

[grandpaslincoln]

You put the fluid in the same hole the stick goes in. Most people use transmission fluid instead of PS fluid though, apparently it lubricates a lot better.

[91waggin]

Ford Type F trans fluid. Were I you, I would flush the p/s system because it has probably never been flushed and add all new type F.

[gadget73]

Type F is actually what is called for in the owner's manual.

[1990LTD]

Thanks all. The old man I got it from ran the bastard dry..there was barely a drop in it, so I picked up a bottle at the closest gas station. Will flush and use the Ford p/s fluid next weekend when I've got the time (and, more importantly, money )

[gadget73]

The ford stuff isn't power steering fluid, its type F transmission fluid. The system honestly is not that picky about what you use, as long as its close to the right viscosity. It may make a little more noise with thinner fluids but thats about it. The F is a bit thicker, and does help shut up that ford PS whine.

[1990LTD]

The ford stuff isn't power steering fluid, its type F transmission fluid. The system honestly is not that picky about what you use, as long as its close to the right viscosity. It may make a little more noise with thinner fluids but thats about it. The F is a bit thicker, and does help shut up that ford PS whine.

Cool, thanks a bunch.

[1987cp]

Now for my dumb question: How do you flush the power steering system? Just disconnect the low-pressure hose and run it into a bucket with the engine running while constantly adding fresh fluid? That would sound like probably a 2-person job ....

[hav24wheel]

Now for my dumb question: How do you flush the power steering system? Just disconnect the low-pressure hose and run it into a bucket with the engine running while constantly adding fresh fluid? That would sound like probably a 2-person job ....

i would just loosen up the return line, and fire up the motor and let it leak out. just keep filling the pump tell the fluid coming out is clean..

[1987cp]

Sounds messy! Seems like you'd go through a lot of fluid that way, though.

[hav24wheel]

well the way its done when you take it in is half-assed. they basically suck old fluid out of the bottom of the pump and put new stuff in the top of the pump. all with the tires turned to full lock so the box goes into "bypass"

[1987cp]

Hand't heard about a 'bypass' mode. I presume that somehow bypasses the steering gear and accounts for the whining sound one hears at full lock?

Seems very silly indeed to change the fluid in the pump but not the gearbox ....

[hav24wheel]

Well the first time i heard about the "bypass" was when they showed me how to use the stupid powersteering flush machine. I use it one or twice when i worked at a Chevy dealership. i thought it was a waist of time, but i also think changing brake fluid is a waist of time. I think its going to be a messy job to get a 100% fluid change. another way you could try is pull the return line off completly, jack the front tires off the ground and turn the wheels from lock to lock(all with the engine off) the box will push most of the fluid out of it, and the pump should drain all the way too.. than just hook the line back up and fill it up and blead the air out.. but you might have to do it more than once.

[Lincolnmania]

1: go to the dollar store
2: pick up some turkey basters.....chinamang specials are usually two for a buck
3: suck out what you can till you cant get no more out.....fill with type f trans fluid
4: start engine and turn the steering wheel back and forth
5: repeat till fluid is red and clean then top off

[Archangel]

To add to what Scott said - front wheels off the ground when you flush the system, else you may be buying a new steering box soon.