steering

Power Steering Reservoir

for 2012 Ford F-150 5.0L V8 Coyote · 4WD

Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years

Difficulty

Easy

Time

42 min

Tools

Steps

✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the power steering fluid reservoir on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 with the 5.0L Coyote V8 engine.

Warnings

⚠Power steering fluid can damage paint. Cover fenders and wipe spills immediately.

⚠Work on a cool engine to avoid burns from hot components and fluid.

ℹ️The reservoir is located on the passenger side of the engine bay, near the firewall.

Tools required

10mm socket and ratchetEssential

Fluid drain pan (1 quart minimum)Essential

Pliers or hose clamp toolEssential

Torque wrench (10-40 Nm range)Essential

Shop towelsEssential

Fluid transfer pump or funnel

Turkey baster or fluid syringe

Parts

Power steering fluid reservoir × 1 — Use OEM specification
Power steering line O-rings × 2 — Use OEM specification
Reservoir mounting grommet (if damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

Motorcraft MERCON LV — 1 qt

Preparation

Park vehicle on level ground and set parking brake
Allow engine to cool completely
Open hood and locate power steering reservoir on passenger side near firewall
Place drain pan and shop towels under work area
Remove engine cover if equipped by pulling upward on cover (no tools required)

Procedure

1
Drain existing power steering fluid
Use a turkey baster or fluid syringe to remove as much fluid as possible from the reservoir. This minimizes spillage during removal. Dispose of old fluid properly.
2
Disconnect reservoir supply hose
Locate the lower supply hose connected to the bottom of the reservoir. Use pliers to slide the spring clamp down the hose away from the reservoir fitting. Twist and pull the hose off the reservoir nipple. Allow remaining fluid to drain into the pan.
3
Disconnect reservoir return hose
Locate the upper return hose connected to the side of the reservoir. Use pliers to reposition the spring clamp away from the reservoir fitting. Twist and pull the hose off the fitting. More fluid will drain, so ensure the drain pan is positioned correctly.
4
Remove reservoir mounting fasteners
The reservoir is held by a mounting bracket with bolts or a single mounting stud with grommet (varies by production date). If bracket-mounted, remove the mounting bolts using a 10mm socket. If stud-mounted, pull the reservoir upward to disengage from the grommet.
Torque spec
Mounting Bolts34 Nm (25 lb-ft)
5
Remove reservoir from vehicle
Lift the reservoir up and out of the engine bay. Tilt as needed to drain any remaining fluid into the drain pan. Inspect the mounting grommet (if equipped) for cracking or deterioration and replace if necessary.
6
Prepare new reservoir
Inspect the new reservoir for shipping plugs or caps and remove them. Install new O-rings on both hose fittings if the reservoir came with replacements. Lightly lubricate O-rings with power steering fluid for easier installation.
7
Install new reservoir
Position the new reservoir into the mounting location. If stud-mounted, align the reservoir bracket hole with the stud and press down firmly to seat the grommet. If bracket-mounted, align the reservoir with the bracket and install mounting bolts hand-tight first.
Torque spec
Mounting Bolts34 Nm (25 lb-ft)
8
Reconnect return hose
Push the return hose firmly onto the upper reservoir fitting until it seats completely. Slide the spring clamp back into position over the fitting to secure the connection. Ensure the hose is fully seated to prevent leaks.
9
Reconnect supply hose
Push the supply hose firmly onto the lower reservoir fitting until it bottoms out. Reposition the spring clamp over the fitting. Tug on the hose to verify it is secured properly.
10
Fill reservoir with power steering fluid
Fill the reservoir with Motorcraft MERCON LV fluid to the FULL COLD mark on the dipstick. Do not overfill. Start with approximately 0.75 quarts and check level.
11
Bleed air from power steering system
Start the engine and turn the steering wheel slowly from lock to lock 5-6 times while idling. Stop with wheels straight ahead. Check fluid level and top off as needed. Repeat the lock-to-lock process until no bubbles appear in the reservoir and fluid level stabilizes. This may require adding fluid multiple times.
12
Check for leaks and test system
With engine running, inspect all connections at the reservoir for leaks. Wipe the area clean and observe for fluid seepage. Turn steering wheel lock-to-lock again while checking for leaks. Verify steering operates smoothly without noise or binding.

Reassembly

Reinstall engine cover if equipped by aligning grommets and pressing down until seated
Clean any spilled power steering fluid from engine bay and painted surfaces
Verify final fluid level is at FULL COLD mark with engine off

Verification

Check power steering fluid level is at FULL COLD mark on dipstick with engine off
Start engine and verify no leaks at reservoir connections
Turn steering wheel lock-to-lock and confirm smooth operation with no whining or groaning noises
Verify fluid level remains stable after test drive and does not drop significantly
Confirm no air bubbles visible in reservoir during operation

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