Hi All,

Car = 1993 V6 TR Magna

So i heard a weird noise coming from the front end when i was doing a tight turn yesterday and also heard it again this morning. I had a look and there appears to be next to no power steering fluid. I cant seem to find a leak anywhere but in saying that I've only had the car for about a month so am not sure if it was always like that.

Anyway long story short, is it possible to drain/replace/bleed the power steering fluid as a 1 man job?

From the workshop manual it appears that I would need to be in two places at once (at the wheel and looking for bubbles) so I dont think it would be possible, unless theres some sort of trick to it?

Should I just pay for someone to do it for me? If so any idea what a task like this would cost?

Any advice/tips would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks

Why not just top it up, see if that fixes the noise issue, and then keep an eye on it to see if level drops again?

Without much knowledge, I assume leaks at the steering-rack are most common? Checking pump and fluid lines should be straightforward? perhaps give engine bay and esp power-steering equip a good degrease before topping-up, so any new leaks or weeping will be more noticeable?

Thanks for the advice :) I think I will top it up tomorrow and keep a close eye on it

I was told to bleed the system just required the front wheels off the ground while your turned the steering wheel full lock a few times either side with the cap off, If i am wrong please let me know!

Its something like that.. The part that confused me was:

"Turn the steering wheel from left to right until there are no air bubbles visible in the reservior"

I'm assuming the reservior is the not so see through container where you would top up the fluid? If so to me that would mean I'd need to be in 2 places at once, unless I keep alternating positions or something? :confused:

If you don't have an offsider to follow that part of the process absolutely literally - I reckon topping up will be better than nought. Go do a few tight turns around the block or a carpark, top-up again if needed. As long as their is a bit of fluid in the reservoir, the pump should pick-up fluid and purge air from the system back to the reservoir (meaning level of fluid in reservoir would drop a bit).

The power-steering reservoirs are absolutely NOT translucent, so without a helper you are quite right, can't be done as written-up. Actually, middle of the night in an empty parking-lot with decent torch would be ideal place - you could do sevral tight turns and stop at-will to check/top-up fluid in reservoir.

Its either that, or bribe another member with beer exchanged for assistance!!!

If you don't have an offsider to follow that part of the process absolutely literally - I reckon topping up will be better than nought. Go do a few tight turns around the block or a carpark, top-up again if needed. As long as their is a bit of fluid in the reservoir, the pump should pick-up fluid and purge air from the system back to the reservoir (meaning level of fluid in reservoir would drop a bit).

The power-steering reservoirs are absolutely NOT translucent, so without a helper you are quite right, can't be done as written-up. Actually, middle of the night in an empty parking-lot with decent torch would be ideal place - you could do sevral tight turns and stop at-will to check/top-up fluid in reservoir.

Its either that, or bribe another member with beer exchanged for assistance!!!

Thanks heaps for the assistance/suggestions :)

just remember to top it up, full lock one way then the other, then check the level

doesnt even really have to be off the ground... at work we do power steer flushes like this

...im thinking have a look at your rack boots if you can get the car off the ground though

Thanks for all your advice guys.. Some fluid and an empty carpark appears to have fixed it :cool:

Top it up, turn the wheels a few times and check a day or so later

They are common to leak within the rack boots (there are tie rod seals there) and also where the column goes into the top of the rack.

In respect to the sound, it is most likely cavitation in the pump due to low fluid and air in the system. Fluid will froth