How to Replace the Power Steering Fluid on a Ford Ranger
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- 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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My Ford Ranger 1994 is leaking power steering fluid from the steering wheel. Ever heard of that??? What can it be?
GREAT video! Very informative and easy to understand. VERY clear and easy to see the parts as you went along too.... so many are difficult to see exactly what is being done. Thanx a ton! 👍
No problem, happy to help and thank you for the feedback :) I have plenty more Ranger repair videos too.
Better than that bs 1A auto video
Funny just came from there to here 😂🤣
Normally they have great videos but that one was pretty bad.
I started noticing that myself tbh like the 1a one doesn’t even mention anything about the fuse or the lower pressure line
Thanks for the video I used your instructions to change the fluid on my 1998 Ford 4.0 and it went just as you said it would
Thanks for your help! Straight to the point with everything!
Excellent video! Now I need to go out and do it.😆
Thank you!
Great enjoyed that land learned slot!
Excellent to hear and thank you for the feedback!
Do i also have to remove the reservoir hose from top or bottom. The one beneath the one you removed?
Are all the power steering lines flush on your rack & pinion housing 2 of mine don't. And i have a slow leak. Takes about 8 hours to know if I fixed it and this is the 3rd day kinda need to know
I have a 2007 and it doesn't have a cooler so no luck here.
Can I use regular power steering
Yes you can, using synthetic is a personal choice, however it is easier on the pump as it's a better quality oil.
You should never ever ever ever reuse that type of pressure "clamp". I won't say what my father called them but they really only work once. Get a hose clamp. They're cheap. Otherwise great!
I need to know what he called them lol. Nipple clams?
Extremely professional straight forward tutorial, well done
Thank you :)
Appreciate you posting this...my husband died last month (Jan 2022) I had never seen the steering fluid filled...so this was an easy fix 👏👏👏
Happy to help and sorry for your loss. Sadly I have a pretty good idea what you're going through, I lost my mom in January too.
Good video, appreciate you posting this.
No problem, happy to help :)
Thank for the tutorial
Surprised it uses transmission fluid mercon v?!
Hello, does anyone know if this system has a filter? I have seen some power steering filters for a 94 Ranger on my parts store, but I don't know if it's a simple filter to replace like say an oil one. Thanks.
Thank you for sharing! My fluid is blackkkkk will be performing this service this evening after work.
You're very welcome!
hi i just did it today agost 27 2019 and i did that same way you did and i used valvoline ATF MERCON LV and now it makes somuch noise . it wastn make any noise before but now it make noise , i just change it because it was old the fluid my truck is a ranger 2.5 98 i dont know why it make noise with the new fluid , any help or ideas to know how to fix it....
I believe that model ranger does NOT use LV Mercon. It uses Mercon V, as the original manual calls for Mercon, but Ford has replaced that fluid type with Mercon V. I would flush again ASAP and use the correct ATF type.
Would this be the same for a 99 b2500? I bought one and it is low on fluid, and I wanted to flush it instead of just filling. Would I just do the same thing as you?
Yes it should be the same. Ford Rangers and the Mazda B series is basically the same truck.
Congratulations!! This was an incredible video!! Very Helpful!! God Bless!
This is a great video. Thank you. I'll be back for more
What happen if my car don’t have fluid cooler? I have 96 ford ranger 2.3
Then you'll need to remove one of the fittings for the power steering lines instead.
thanks for the awosme tips. I have to rebuild my sterring pump for the 3 time. ripped out he center shaft on the first one tring to put the pully on. the second one i burned the rubber seals tring to get all the air out. forgot to remove the pump fuse. Have a awsome day. Thanks again. such a tricky prossess.
Also, consider cleaning well the thoroughly plugged outside fins of the power steering fluid cooler, so that your new fluid doesn't immediately overheat and fail, synthetic or not, lol.
Like wow, that was a super grimy plugged PS fluid cooler!
Hey - Have a question - putting a new power steering pump on my Mazda B2500 and the pump it self is somewhat different. It seems to have internalize, or modified, the pump so the connection to the hose drops the large nut with 2 o-rings and instead now threads directly in. Missing are the spring and round silver device that seem to fit underneath. Does that sound right to you? Scott
Really well done, I appreciate the time and information!
Thank you very much!
You’re awesome dude thanks!! Just bought a 99 Ford ranger 2.5 (no ac) lol. I just bought the Teflon o rings for the lines on the power steering cause they were loose. It says to use mercon atf?? Can I use chevron atf? (Md-3)
Also I don’t have an oil cooler. Just goes straight into the rack
Thank you! Stick the what the manufacturer calls for, when mixing fluids it may potentially cause a pump failure. If you don't have an oil cooler, you can pull the bango bolt on the line instead. Just make sure you replace both crush washers.
@@4DIYers I bought a new pump and Haynes oil cooler. It works but I guess the noise never goes away haha. They have Saginaw pumps (100$) and a conversion bracket kit (70$) on eBay. I’m gonna do that soon. Thanks for all the vids man 🤘
So basically the power steering takes automatic transmission fluid, correct?
Perfect! Great job. Thank you very much. Will be doing this tomorrow : )
Awesome video!
Thank you for the all the detailed information.
No problem and thank you!
How high should the fluid be on the Cold side of the Dipstick?
Who would’ve thought that I would need this lmao, thanks bro👍🏽
Ok, I had enough. Somebody explain to me, please, what is this?:
Mercon, and
Mercon V.
The Hanes Manual says my 1996 pump takes Mercon. And it says, "Don't mix Mercon V with Mercon".
That's understandable enough, but it says that the '96 take Mercon but autozone says it takes Mercon V. And they don't sell Mercon, only Mercon V.
Heavens to Mercon atriod, what do I do?
I know this is late, but Fort actually discontinued Mercon in 2007. They published a notice saying you can use Mercon V instead of Mercon wherever it’s called for
Good job on the video UA-cam university at its finest
Very detailed and helpful video 👍🏻
Thank you :)
Good video. Very informative.
Thank you!
Thank you. Very well explained. It worked for me.
Thanks so much. That was a huge help!!
Glad it helped!
Anyone know how to do this on a 97 ford ranger?
What if I put power steering fluid in the wrong place, like the reservoir in front of the dash (as shown on the right side of the screen in your vid)?
ABUNDANT WRAGE You mean in the master cylinder reservoir for the brake fluid? Probably nothing immediately but the brake fluid might lose effectiveness. Just flush it out and use new Dot 3 brake fluid.
Very well done !
Thank you so much!
Did you end up tightening the flare nut fitting at the rack and pinion?
I want to hear the type of fluid used.
Thanks man this helped ALLOT!
Solid. Thank you!
You're very welcome!
thank you
Welcome!
Well done thanks
You're welcome!
Very informative! 👍🏼
Thank you!
Very helpful video.
Thank you!
Hi! So I’m at the step where I’ve successfully drained and added new fluid following your steps, and I’m currently trying to get all the air out, but no matter how long I turn lock to lock I still get fairly large gurgling bubbles especially when locking out on the left (I’ve been filming the reservoir with my phone as I turn to check). I’ve probably done that 150 times. I thought maybe it was normal so I reinstalled the fuse/relay and turned the truck on and was met with a bad shaking in the wheel when turning, presumably from the air still in the system. Do you know why I might be having so much trouble getting the air out? It seems like I’m doing something wrong here as I don’t think you mentioned having to do it THAT much and most other resources I’m seeing online say 20 lock to lock should do it. Could this be a symptom of something else? I’m using valvoline full synthetic mercon LV ATF. Help would be much appreciated, thank you!
I should note the fluid also still goes up and down a bit when turning lock to lock, but has stopped draining into the system, I.e when I stop turning the fluid stays level. Thank you!
Im also stuck here???
@@emanuelrodriguez-salas9400 if it helps at all, I just ended up turning the engine on and continuing the lock to lock process, and filled it to a suitable level. I was fed up and when I test drove it it was actually fine and has been fine since, no shaking. The pump still whines but it did that before too. But I do think some additional clarity would be helpful for that step
There’s an adapter for a hand vacuum pump(mityvac from harbour freight) that will take the place of the cap and push the rest out. I put in a replacement pump from Oreillys that had instructions
Mercon V?
Yes that will work.
Really informational thank you. Just had one question, how can you turn the steering wheel while the car is off? I realize you turn it on later on once you remove the fuse but it sounds like the engine is off when you were turning the wheel right? Thank you.
Thank you! Just insert the key in the ignition, you may need to turn it in the on position to disable the steering lock, and then turn the wheel. The fuse was removed so the engine won't start.
Also, the front of vehicle was off the ground on jackstands.
Well its ah start...good one.
Will ps fluid damage the pump?
Yes if it's old or contaminated.
It's that a manual transmission?
Automatic
WOW, THAT WAS DARK.
Can I put a transfer case in my ford ranger?
Such a better video than the other one I just watched. Thanks man.
No problem, happy to help :) I have plenty more Ranger repair tutorials too.