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Flushing the Power Steering System

    IMPORTANT: Do not reuse any drained power steering fluid regardless of appearance or condition.
  1. Raise and support the front of the vehicle off the ground in order to remove the weight of the vehicle from the front tires. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Loosen the hose clamp (5) on the inlet side of the reservoir.
  3. Remove the power steering fluid reservoir inlet hose from the reservoir.
  4. Position the hose toward a drain pan in order to catch the draining fluid.
  5. Drain the fluid.
  6. Plug the inlet hose connection on the reservoir.
    7. Fig 1: Checking Temperature Of Power Steering Fluid
    GM1382060Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    NOTE: Refer to Using Proper Power Steering Fluid Notice in Cautions and Notices.
    IMPORTANT: This step may require 4 L (4.2 quarts) of fluid.
  7. Fill the reservoir to the COLD MAX mark (2) with fluid. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations in Maintenance and Lubrication.
    8. IMPORTANT: Turn OFF the engine when the fluid begins to discharge from the hose.
  8. Start and run engine at 1,000 RPM. After one or two seconds, fluid will begin to discharge from the hose. Turn OFF the engine.
  9. Add fluid to the reservoir in order to keep the fluid level above the COLD MIN mark (3).
    10. NOTE: Do not hold the steering wheel against the stops while flushing the power steering system. Holding the steering wheel against the wheel stops will cause high system pressure, overheating, and damage to the power steering pump and/or gear.
  10. Turn the steering wheel from stop to stop.
  11. Remove the plug from the reservoir.
    12. NOTE: Refer to Installing Hoses without Twists or Bends Notice in Cautions and Notices.
  12. Install the hose and the hose clamp to the reservoir.
  13. Add fluid to the reservoir in order to keep the fluid level above the COLD MIN mark.
  14. Start and run the engine at idle for approximately 15 minutes.
  15. Turn OFF the engine.
  16. Loosen the hose clamp on the inlet side of the reservoir.
  17. Remove the power steering fluid reservoir inlet hose from the reservoir.
  18. Position the hose toward a drain pan in order to catch the draining fluid.
  19. Drain the fluid.
  20. Plug the inlet hose connection on the reservoir.
  21. Inspect the draining fluid for contamination. If the fluid is contaminated, repeat the flushing procedure.

    If the fluid is not contaminated, remove the plug from the reservoir.

  22. Install the hose and the hose clamp to the reservoir.
    23. NOTE: Refer to Air in the Power Steering System Notice in Cautions and Notices.
  23. Bleed the power steering system. Refer to Bleeding the Power Steering System .
  24. Lower the vehicle.
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