Interesting Servicing Find - power steering fluid change

[XC90Mk1]

Those who know me know I am pretty thorough with my servicing having changed the auto box fluid and Haldex fluid etc, regular oil changes, brake fluid, coolant etc etc.

All of the tasks have been very simple and straight forward, the D5 is easy to work on. Over 4.5 years and 60,000 miles my all in costs are £2,300 for everything including tyres and all brake rotors etc etc, that’s less than £500 a year for a luxury car. All parts and fluids etc are also genuine Volvo.

A friends V70 has recently gone to the big scrapyard in the sky following steering rack failure.

So this week at 115,000 miles I reviewed my power steering fluid.

1). Got pipet (£3) and measured to 1/2” above fluid take off point.
2). Measured approximately 220ml of fluid removal to half inch above take off point.
3). Refilled with 200ml and then corrected the level.

There are no service requirements for power steering fluid however the old fluid was a dark treacle colour (not really any green left), and had legs when swirled around in a pot. It also foamed and went airy when poured. The new fluid was a lovey runny green.

The cost to change out 220ml of fluid is around £3-4 per change and I have no doubt will benifit the rack.

I am sure others may identify better ways to flush but for me I tend to change oil every 6k and accordingly each 6k I will now change 220ml, a bit like a sump dump for the auto box.

Any thoughts or comments?

And happy new year to all!

[SwissXC90]

I did mine using the turkey baster method and with a few months between changes.

Noticed an improvement every time I changed the contents of the whole reservoir.

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by SwissXC90

I did mine using the turkey baster method and with a few months between changes.

Noticed an improvement every time I changed the contents of the whole reservoir.

Yes, I too did the first change, forgot about it and then noticed a vast improvement straight away.

[Familyman 90]

Did mine just after 100k on the unofficial advice of the dealer. They tell me pumps start to fail beyond 100k miles and in their experience a fluid change seems to stop things getting that far. I may doing again myself this year.

[Kev0607]

Yes, I changed mine too. The old fluid was very dark & the new stuff is green.

I sucked the contents of the fluid reservoir to about half way, poured fresh fluid in to about half way (reservoir was never dry), then turned the steering lock to lock & the fresh fluid quickly became dark as the fluid level in the reservoir started rising (old fluid in the rack lines). Then I sucked the fluid out again to half way & kept repeating the process, until it eventually stayed a nice green colour. Then I topped it up to the correct level.

[Tannaton]

I've always done mine an usually notice improvements.

I once bought an old Discovery as spares/repairs as the power steering was noisy and pulsated on low speed steering. Changed the black treacle old fluid with new, that restored normal operation.

So it is a "consumable" fluid and the quality does impact the feel and operation of the steering.

[robsterpaterson]

I recently changed my pump and I routed the 'return' pipe to a plastic bottle. I then jacked the front of the car up and swung the wheels lock-to-lock till the old fluid was out and swirling murkily in the plastic bottle.
Refilling/bleeding was done similarly and was a doddle.

[foeism]

Definitely worth doing!
What steering fluid did you use?
Volvo own brand or comma?
Thanks

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by foeism

Definitely worth doing!
What steering fluid did you use?
Volvo own brand or comma?
Thanks

I used Volvo fluid. I thought it was expensive (£12-16 I can’t remember now), however 1l will do me for the next 50k!

[Father Ted]

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

1). Got pipet (£3) and measured to 1/2” above fluid take off point.
2). Measured approximately 220ml of fluid removal to half inch above take off point.
3). Refilled with 200ml and then corrected the level.

Good idea to do this, I'll add it to my list for when the weather warms ;-)
I might be being thick, but I'm not clear on your process above.
What do you mean that you measured to 1/2" above take off point?
I note another post saying the reservoir was never dry.
Would it be an issue to empty the reservoir? I presume this is done with engine off?

Thanks