For a power steering fluid change out in a Honda is simply sucking the fluid out of the reservoir and refilling it a couple times adequate? Sort of like a drain/refill of transmission fluid. Is it necessary to "flush" the steering fluid or will a few drain/refills get a good majority out?

 

Not sure of the year of yours....Honda has not changed the set up too much over the years.

Pull the lines to the res, cap them with a bolt or something so the don't make a big mess.....use a finger or cap on the res side. Remove the res and turn it upside down and drain it. At the bottom there is a "screen type" filter. Use something like brake cleaner sprayed into the res (brake cleaner leaves no residue where carb cleaner does) suction line - reverse flow type cleaning. Let it dry for a bit.

Re-attach the hoses, fill it with "Honda/Acura" approved PS fluid and call it a day. Yes not all of it was "replaced" but you did just get a "fair" amount and the filter cleaning is a plus. Do this on a somewhat scheduled basis and you system will be fine for many years.

 

Are you really supposed to use Honda/Acura fluid? Or can you use "generic" power steering fluid? I'm just asking, as I kind of just did a fluid change on my 99 Accord, due to replacing the return line in it (the line had a pin hole rust thru, right near the steering box). That was a real PIA job, even using genuine Honda parts.

 

For Hondas, you either want to use Honda's power steering fluid, or aftermarket brands that say safe for Hondas. There is something different about Honda's PS fluid.

 

I'll have to check the bottle in the morning, as only what was left in the steering box didn't get changed. At this point in time, the pump is quiet, and I'm not seeing any leaks.

 

While your driving your vehicle isn't PS fluid "actively" moving and being pumped through out a closed loop? What I mean is by changing out the reservoir contents a couple times back to back I'd guess your changing out maybe 50-75% of the fluid for new.

 

I found this PS flush procedure very appealing.


good luck

 

My only comment about "pulling" the res is because there is a "filter/screen" at the bottom of it.

To the other poster about the brand - yes, only Honda/Acura approved fluid should be used.

Again what I posted is not a "total" fluid change but get a fair amount. If the fluid is really bad, then yes I would do a "suck the res dry" as best you can run the engine while turning the steering wheel a few times (two or three ) then on the last refill, PLEASE clean the little filter at the bottom before the final refill,

Just my two cents........at the end of the day almost any type of fluid change on the PS system is better than none.