Power Steering Service
Power Steering Fluid Makes Turning The Steering Wheel A Breeze
For most of us, it is hard to remember life without power steering - cranking those great big steering wheels? It was a pretty good workout. Now power steering is standard. The heart of any power steering system is its pump. The pump pressurizes the power steering fluid that provides assist for steering. Most pumps are driven by a belt that is run by the engine - a few are electrically powered. A high-pressure hose passes fluid from the pump to the steering gear. A low pressure hose returns the fluid back to the pump.
Power Steering Fluid Level Should Be Checked With Every Oil Change
These hoses can develop leaks, so it is a good idea to inspect them at every oil change. Low fluid can damage the power steering pump. That is why fluid level is on the checklist for a full-service oil change. The fluid needs to be compatible with the hoses and seals, so check your owners’ manual for the right type - or just ask your service technician.
Change Power Steering Fluid Every 25,000 Miles To Minimize Wear
The fluid cleans, cools and lubricates the power steering system. It breaks down as the years go by and collects unwanted moisture, so it needs to be replaced from time to time. Many manufacturers specify power steering service intervals. Unfortunately, this important service is sometimes left off the maintenance schedule. So, when in doubt, every 25,000 miles/40,000 km or two years is a good fallback. Your service center will use a detergent to clean the system, flush out the old fluid and replace it with the good stuff.
Power Steering Warning Signs
Here are some warning signs of trouble with your power steering: It’s harder to turn the wheel, there’s erratic power assist, you hear loud whining coming from the pump (which may be difficult to hear over the loud whining coming from the backseat), you have to top-off the fluid frequently, or you hear squealing belts. Remember to never hold the steering wheel to the far right or left for more than a few seconds at a time. That will wear out your pump real fast.
Damaged Stering Components Can Affect Power Steering
Other steering components can be bent or damaged from wear or hard knocks. Ball-joint, idler-arm, steering-gear, steering-knuckle and tie rod to name a few. Warning signs here are steering play, wandering, uneven tire wear, and off-center steering wheel. An annual alignment check will reveal bent or damaged steering components.
Power Steering Checked with Every Oil Change
EZ Lube checks power steering fluid levels and tops the fluid levels off as part of every Full Service Oil Change.
Power Steering Fluid Levels Check Service Info>>
Power Steering Flush at EZ Lube
EZ Lube also offers a Power Steering Fluid Flush service that removes the worn or contaminated fluid from the reservoir, lines, power steering gearbox and pump through the use of a vacuum system. New power steering fluid, to match your manufacturer’s recommendation, is then pumped back into the system while maintaining a vacuum to ensure no air bubbles enter into the power steering fluid system.
