Has anyone changed out the power steering fluid on a */C Series I? The power steering pump looks difficult to access. What is the best way to do it on this engine?

Yeah, so I did this today. The old fluid looked like black motor oil and it smelled bad. I also wanted to see if I could fix the slight vibrations/growling when the car was hot, idling, and I turn the wheels (like when I am backing into a spot).

I jacked the front of the car up and put it on jack stands. Then I pulled the RF wheel off, brake caliper, rotor, and left mud shield. The pump return line was the inner-most line held on by a hose clamp. But it was not easy to access! You really have to strain to get up there. The best way to access the hose clamp is with a socket/screwdriver on a spring or a long socket/screwdriver with one of those u-joints on it.

Once I got the hose clamp off, I put the tube into a pan. By this point, power steering fluid was squirting everywhere. You have to plug the suction spicket on the power steering pump. I used an old cap that fit just right. I'm not sure what else to recommend for that.

Then I followed the procedures in the service manual.

Problem: As soon as you turn on the engine - the return line squirts power steering fluid everywhere, and sucks the reservoir dry. I filled the reservoir and turned on the engine for a few seconds, and then more power steering fluid squirting out way too fast. I refilled the reservoir, and tried just turning the wheels all of the way back and forth without turning the engine on. This seemed to work better (slower). I kept turning and filling until I had clear fluid coming out of the return line.

Then I sealed everything up and followed the bleed procedure. I must have turned the wheels back and forth 25 times, but you could still observe a bubble every so often in the remote reservoir. Finally, I decided to quit, hoping that all of the air was out of the system.

OK, so now my steering feels a more precise. But the pump seems to make more of a buzzing noise than it used to, when the RPMs are up above 1500 and I am turning. Not sure if that is normal, or if I still have air in the system. I'll keep you posted.

I am not used to being so long-winded.

Today I went down and looked under the cap. The fluid was above the hot line. Jacked the car up, and turned the wheels back and forth 30 times. I came out and fluid and spilled around the reservoir. I'm guessing that bubbles are still coming out. Put the car down and turned it on. More whining - even worse this time. Whining both at idle and above 1500 rpm.

Took the car for a drive - about 5 miles, and then came back. No more whining at idle, but whining above 1500 rpm still. Opened cap and checked fluid - fluid was below the cold level, while the car was hot. Apparently I still had air in the system. I bet there is still air in the system. How many times do I have to jack the car up and turn the wheels back and forth?

Anyone have experience with getting the air out of the */C power steering with the remote reservoir? I'll keep trying.

Update:

Over the past few days, it has taken a little more P/* fluid, and the noisy pump is starting to become more quiet. Did I get a ton of air in there when I fixed it?

I'm not ignoring you. Just waiting to see how this turns out! That'* the only untouched fluid in my car now.

GAAGGHH! That sounds like a PITA. I'd save myself from going gray early and the brain cells from beating my head against the wall than attempt this!

(I know some people like to do jobs themselves because it'* cheaper or else they enjoy to do the work.)

If I ever have to do this again, I will probably take it to the dealer (Probably only charge me $75, and won't get air in there).