Power steering fluid

[pilotowner1]

I will be changing fluids on my 05 pilot (25k miles very soon, hopefully this weekend. This include oil, brake, and transmission and power steering fluids. I know some of these are too early to do, but I would rather do it too early than late. I have never replaced/flushed power steering fluid before and would like some tips. A friend of mine used a turkey baster to suck most of the fluid out of the reservoir then replaced with new fluid and drove the car around the block then repeated the process 3 times. I was not impressed with the result - the fluid is still very dark.

Any advise/tips on how to do it correctly would be appreciated - post pix if possible.

Thanks to this site, I have done all my other DIYs successfully.

[pilotowner1]

Originally posted by jayjr98
Somehow I don't think a turkey baster will get the job done...

Find a reputable shop and drop about $100 for a good power steering flush and fill. I've heard good things about the BG flushes.

Although I must say, flushing your power steering fluid every 25k miles is almost certainly not worth the money.

That's certainly an option, but I would like to do this myself. I have 2 Hondas, and if I learn how to do this on the Pilot, that's something I can certainly do on the other vehicle which would mean I save some $$$.

[jay]

The manual doesn't mention anything about changing power steering fluid. I've never owned a car that the manufacturer did recommend that it be done, and never experienced any power steering failure. And I have owned a few cars for a few years and put some high mileage on them.

Why change the power steering fluid?

[pilotowner1]

Originally posted by jay
The manual doesn't mention anything about changing power steering fluid. I've never owned a car that the manufacturer did recommend that it be done, and never experienced any power steering failure. And I have owned a few cars for a few years and put some high mileage on them.

Why change the power steering fluid?

I used to drive a Ford Explorer and had to replace the power steering (fluid leak)- paid over $1000 I think. I've always wondered if only I changed the PSF - would this have prevented it. I guess I'll never know.

I want to keep my Pilot for a very very long time, and IMO, changing fluid more often/sooner is cheap insurance.

[kurt]

I think changing the power steering fluid is a good idea. The fluid gets hot and I'm sure there could also be a little bit of moisture that builds up in it. I use a mityvac fluid evacuator for transmission and rear vtm fluid changes. I have been happy with it and it cost about $50-$60 from HARBOR FRIEGHT AND TOOL. The fluid evacuator has a 8.8l capacity and can also dispense fluids. Honda recommends a 30,000-45,000 service interval for the transmission. I changed mine at 32,000 with 80-90% highway miles, the fluid was brown and smelled burnt. I have also seen many used oil analysis that showed the Honda 5spd automatics needing the fluid changed based on oxidation and wear metals at 20,000 miles. I think that changing the fluids earlier than Honda's recommended interval will pay off as the vehicle gets into the 100,000 plus mile range.I'm changing my power steering fluid at 50,000. Honda was worried enough about the power steering fluid temperatures to put a power steering cooler in their tow package.

[pilotowner1]

Originally posted by kurt
I think changing the power steering fluid is a good idea. The fluid gets hot and I'm sure there could also be a little bit of moisture that builds up in it. I use a mityvac fluid evacuator for transmission and rear vtm fluid changes. I have been happy with it and it cost about $50-$60 from HARBOR FRIEGHT AND TOOL. The fluid evacuator has a 8.8l capacity and can also dispense fluids. Honda recommends a 30,000-45,000 service interval for the transmission. I changed mine at 32,000 with 80-90% highway miles, the fluid was brown and smelled burnt. I have also seen many used oil analysis that showed the Honda 5spd automatics needing the fluid changed based on oxidation and wear metals at 20,000 miles. I think that changing the fluids earlier than Honda's recommended interval will pay off as the vehicle gets into the 100,000 plus mile range.I'm changing my power steering fluid at 50,000. Honda was worried enough about the power steering fluid temperatures to put a power steering cooler in their tow package.

FLUIDS go bad over time - replacing it sooner is always better.

I borrowed my friend's mityvac when I bled my brakes, but I could not get a good seal on the master reservoir, ended up making a mess.

I googled "power steering flush" and found a few tips. My question is that the p/s reservoir has some kind of a filter/screen on the bottom, I suspect some of the 'bad' fluid will be accumulate there as well. How do you clean that?

[kurt]

Honda's recommended procedure for power steering flushing.

[pilotowner1]

Originally posted by kurt
Honda's recommended procedure for power steering flushing.

Thank you Kurt - is this from the Helms manual?
So I don'tneed to completely remove the reservoir to clean the bottom. I guess all the fluid from the reservoir will be flushed out.

There seems to be a plug or something on the reservoir where the hose was removed. Am I just seeing things?

[kurt]

The instructions are from the Helms manual. I got them from another forum. It looks like a plug is on the reservoir, but it made no mention of it in the directions.

[pilotowner1]

Originally posted by jayjr98
As far as flushes preventing leaks, etc... I'm not so sure.

I previously owned a Saturn and always had the transmission serviced every 30k miles just like the owners manual called for. I never once touched the power steering fluid. Well at 100k miles, no power steering leaks whatsoever -- but wouldn't you know that both of my transaxle seals were leaking!!!

Just goes to show, its all a crap shoot.

You're right.... A lot of it is pure luck, but stilll.......

My mom drives a 95 Chevy Cavalier and I know it hasn't been maintained ad well as it should, but the car seems like it can run forever.

So nobody has flushed their PS fluid before? The pilot has been in production for a number of years now.

[hondaman2]

the proceedure we use at the dealer is the same as described in that manual picture.

the plug is the filter.

[VettePilot]

Over the years, I've had several power steering components go bad on different vehicles.
The particles in the fluid will build up under the seals over time and cause leakage.
One of the most common problems in power steering racks is called "morning sickness." There is usually no external leakage with morning sickness -- the leak is internal around the rack piston seal and causes a decrease or complete lack of power assist when it is cold. When the engine and fluid pressure warm up the rack, the seal softens and seals again giving full power assist -- until the next cold morning.

For about the last five years, I have been putting in-line power steering fluid filters (actually it is a in-line transmission fluid filter with a strong magnet) in the power steering return line on all my cars. I have never lost a power steering component after this.
But, you have to remember to change the filter about once a year.

When you change the filter, you are going to drain a considerable amount of fluid -- so, that is a good time to change it.

My Pilot doesn't have it yet, but it will within the next couple of months.

[Sunday Rider]

I was driving last week and could hear a whine, sounded like the power steering pump. The noise became louder with the turning of the steering wheel. I checked the fluid, and it looked okay. On the drive home from work there was no noise. Funny on the very cold days we had a couple of weeks back, there was never any type of noise at all. Just now when the weather has been a little warmer.

I went out later and the noise returned. So I went to my independent mechanic, as this is my busiest time of year and could not get to change the steering fluid. I have never had the power steering go on any vehicle and have never changed this fluid in any vehicle. Never even thought about it until this thread.

Anyway, he said the fluid was dirty. So for $40, he flushed it and it has been very quiet ever since.

Not sure if this is just an odd one or something to keep an eye on for the '03s anyway.