2008 Tahoe power steering fluid change

[ridewot]

I have a 2008 Tahoe 5.3 and 125,000 miles. I think the power steering fluid never been changed. I guess the best way to just suck out what I can get from the reservoir and add new and then run it for a while and suck it out again? Anyone have any other suggestion?

 

[Charlie207]

I have a 2008 Tahoe 5.3 and 125,000 miles. I think the power steering fluid never been changed. I guess the best way to just suck out what I can get from the reservoir and add new and then run it for a while and suck it out again? Anyone have any other suggestion?

Do that. You won't get it all, but 90% fresh is better than old stuff. And then when you do it again in a year, along with your AT fluid, you'll be kosher.

 

[89Suburban]

I have a 2008 Tahoe 5.3 and 125,000 miles. I think the power steering fluid never been changed. I guess the best way to just suck out what I can get from the reservoir and add new and then run it for a while and suck it out again? Anyone have any other suggestion?

I recommend investing in one of these for DYI fluid exchanges.

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[j91z28d1]

my yukon has electric steering but for my car that I'm very ******* ps fluid. track days and higher ratio steering mods beats fluid up. I use this method. it's easier than it looks on the video once you do it. fully flushes the system.

 

[Doubeleive]

I have a 2008 Tahoe 5.3 and 125,000 miles. I think the power steering fluid never been changed. I guess the best way to just suck out what I can get from the reservoir and add new and then run it for a while and suck it out again? Anyone have any other suggestion?

I use one of those hand operated $15 transfer pumps found at almost any auto parts store or harbor freight.
then I just jack up the front end just enough to barely lift the front wheels off the ground, pump out as much as I can from the reservoir, then refill with fresh fluid, start it up, turn the wheels lock-to-lock several times, shut it off and repeat. 1st time it took about 1 gallon to get it back to really nice clear fluid. now I do this annually and it only take about 3 quarts.
I do it this way so I do not have to disconnect any fittings or hoses that have not been touched in 10+ years and are basically hermetically sealed.
easy-peasy

 

[j91z28d1]

I use one of those hand operated $15 transfer pumps found at almost any auto parts store or harbor freight.
then I just jack up the front end just enough to barely lift the front wheels off the ground, pump out as much as I can from the reservoir, then refill with fresh fluid, start it up, turn the wheels lock-to-lock several times, shut it off and repeat. 1st time it took about 1 gallon to get it back to really nice clear fluid. now I do this annually and it only take about 3 quarts.
I do it this way so I do not have to disconnect any fittings or hoses that have not been touched in 10+ years and are basically hermetically sealed.
easy-peasy

a gal? that feels like a huge waste of fluid wow. you might want to consider just popping off the return line after sucking the res dry. no mess and it flushes the full system by turning left and right in less than a qt.

 

[Doubeleive]

a gal? that feels like a huge waste of fluid wow. you might want to consider just popping off the return line after sucking the res dry. no mess and it flushes the full system by turning left and right in less than a qt.

Naw, I just buy the fluid off of amazon and do it once a year, it only took 4 bottles the 1st time because it had never been done when I got my hands on it.
I am kinda rough on vehicles so others could probably get away with doing it less often. it's mostly mineral oil so it does get sort of burnt after a while, mine turns a very dark brown color and the new fluid is very light brown and more opaque looking.

 

[mountie]

A couple years ago, I had my fluid completely flushed..... Then, this year, I use a small fluid transfer pump once every day for 3 times after driving, removing / replenishing the reservoir. Works pretty good.

 

[EddieC]

I use one of those hand operated $15 transfer pumps found at almost any auto parts store or harbor freight.
then I just jack up the front end just enough to barely lift the front wheels off the ground, pump out as much as I can from the reservoir, then refill with fresh fluid, start it up, turn the wheels lock-to-lock several times, shut it off and repeat. 1st time it took about 1 gallon to get it back to really nice clear fluid. now I do this annually and it only take about 3 quarts.
I do it this way so I do not have to disconnect any fittings or hoses that have not been touched in 10+ years and are basically hermetically sealed.
easy-peasy

Is it necessary to raise the wheels or can it be achieved on the ground?
About how many cycles does it take to get to the fluid where you liked it?
Can you estimate the system fluid capacity in the event it needs draining to swap out a hose?

 

[Doubeleive]

Is it necessary to raise the wheels or can it be achieved on the ground?
About how many cycles does it take to get to the fluid where you liked it?
Can you estimate the system fluid capacity in the event it needs draining to swap out a hose?

good questions.
I suppose you could do it with the wheels on the ground but your going to be tearing the tires up, I usually do several lock-to-lock each time I drain and fill
if it has never been done estimate approx 1 gallon of fluid, if you do it annually afterwards 3 qt's is plenty
I really do not have a estimate, if just the reservoir needs to be filled then 1qt should be sufficient
hydroboost is a little bigger system so if doing the same it might take a little more
if changing the hose/line and it groans afterwards there may be air trapped in the system so more steering lock-to-lock is required 20x, first with engine off and then again with engine on.
***also power steering fluid is messy, have plenty of towels or rags if it gets on the paint wipe it off it can take the protective coating off if left to sit.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Is it necessary to raise the wheels or can it be achieved on the ground?
About how many cycles does it take to get to the fluid where you liked it?
Can you estimate the system fluid capacity in the event it needs draining to swap out a hose?

It's easier on the components having the tires off the ground. And as mentioned, not wearing the tires in one spot from rotating back and forth. Also, if it's on pavement, not concrete, it'll save the pavement, pavement does not like slow speed or stationary wheel turning.

 

[strutaeng]

my yukon has electric steering but for my car that I'm very ******* ps fluid. track days and higher ratio steering mods beats fluid up. I use this method. it's easier than it looks on the video once you do it. fully flushes the system.

I have done this method and it works good. In fact, I'm going to do my 99 Silverado and my 06 Suburban this weekend.

I did this to my Silverado almost 3 years ago when I replaced the steering rack.

My 06, I bought with 225k in like 2019. It's now around 273k(?). Lame for me for not flushing the PS fluid sooner...SMH

I usually buy the gallon of PS fluid and that lasts me a while. Our 2013 Town and Country also needs it (99k, original) but that one actually uses the same ATF as the transmission. Kinda surprised there...

 

[Doubeleive]

I don't mess around with disconnecting lines, for one they are pretty much hermetically sealed after 13 years and for two it would be just my luck that something else would happen in the process, i would break the clip or strip something out or it would leak afterwards, no thanks.... no risk of any kind by just extracting and refill.
takes 10-15 minutes and i am good till next year.

 

[EddieC]

I have a hose that oozes a little; Just looks like a bit of dampness on a small area.
Perhaps I'll swap out the fluid with the system in tact for now and double back next season.
Fluid is not expensive enough bought in larger containers to avoid duplicate effort.

 

[j91z28d1]

for mine, it's not a high pressure hose or anything special. Just a small spring clamp on a nipple. comes right off and back on easier than a coolent line.

I enjoyed doing it that way.