Flushing Power Steering System

Flushing is required when power steering system fluid has become contaminated. Contaminated fluid in steering system can cause seal deterioration and affect steering gear spool valve operation.

1. Raise front end of vehicle off ground enough to allow front wheels to freely turn. Remove return hose from pump. Plug return hose port on pump. Place open end of return hose into a large container to catch draining fluid.
   WARNING: Engine will be running as fluid is added to pump fluid reservoir. To avoid personal injury, beware of moving engine parts.
   CAUTION: Do not reuse any drained power steering fluid. Use only fresh Mopar(R) power steering fluid or equivalent.
   CAUTION: Do not contact or hold wheel against steering stops.
2. While an assistant is carefully filling pump reservoir with fresh power steering fluid, start engine. With engine running at idle, turn wheel back and forth. Run approximately a quart of fluid through system, then stop engine and install return hose back on pump. Fill system with fresh fluid and perform Power Steering Pump Initial Operation procedure listed in this section of service manual.
3. Start engine and allow it to run for fifteen minutes, then stop engine. Remove return hose from pump and plug return hose port on pump. Pour fresh power steering fluid into reservoir and check fluid draining from return hose for contamination. If fluid is still contaminated, disassemble and clean power steering components as necessary, then repeat system flush again as outlined above. Install return hose back on pump, then perform Power Steering Pump Initial Operation procedure.