Power Steering Fluid Flush

This procedure removes contaminated power steering fluid and replaces it with fresh Mopar ATF+4 to restore proper hydraulic function and extend steering system life.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Power steering line O-rings × 2 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Mopar ATF+4 — 2 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Allow engine to cool to ambient temperature if recently operated
3. Turn steering wheel fully lock-to-lock to center position
4. Locate power steering fluid reservoir on driver side of engine bay near firewall
5. Place drain pan and catch containers within reach
6. Have at least 2 quarts of fresh Mopar ATF+4 available

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove old fluid from reservoir
   Remove the power steering reservoir cap. Use a fluid transfer pump or turkey baster to extract as much old fluid as possible from the reservoir. Transfer old fluid to waste container. Continue extracting until reservoir is as empty as possible without removing reservoir from vehicle.
2. 2

   Refill reservoir with fresh fluid
   Fill the power steering reservoir with fresh Mopar ATF+4 to the FULL COLD mark on the dipstick. Do not overfill. Replace the reservoir cap temporarily.
3. 3

   Cycle steering system (engine off)
   Without starting the engine, turn the steering wheel slowly from full lock left to full lock right 10-15 times. This circulates new fluid through the system and pushes old fluid back to the reservoir. Check fluid level and top off as needed during this process.
4. 4

   Extract diluted fluid
   Remove reservoir cap and extract fluid again using the transfer pump. The fluid will now be a mixture of old and new. Remove as much as possible. Refill reservoir to FULL COLD mark with fresh ATF+4.
5. 5

   Repeat flushing cycle
   Repeat the lock-to-lock steering wheel cycling (engine off) another 10-15 times. Check reservoir level and top off as needed. This further dilutes remaining old fluid.
6. 6

   Final fluid extraction and fill
   Extract fluid from reservoir one final time. Inspect the extracted fluid color - it should be noticeably cleaner and redder than the initial extraction. Fill reservoir to FULL COLD mark with fresh Mopar ATF+4.
7. 7

   Start engine and purge air
   Start the engine and allow it to idle. Turn steering wheel slowly from lock to lock 3-4 times while engine is running. Listen for any whining or groaning noises indicating air in the system. Check reservoir level frequently and add fluid as needed to maintain FULL HOT level.
8. 8

   Check for leaks and verify level
   With engine still running, inspect all power steering line connections for leaks, particularly at the pump and steering gear. Turn steering wheel to center position. Check final fluid level with engine at operating temperature - should be at FULL HOT mark. Top off if necessary and install reservoir cap securely.

Reassembly

1. Ensure reservoir cap is properly seated and tight
2. Wipe down any spilled fluid from engine bay components
3. Properly dispose of used power steering fluid at recycling center or auto parts store
4. Record service in vehicle maintenance log

Verification

• With engine running at idle, steering should operate smoothly without noise or resistance
• No whining, groaning, or cavitation sounds from power steering pump
• Fluid level remains stable at FULL HOT mark after test drive
• No visible leaks at reservoir, pump, lines, or steering gear
• Steering wheel returns to center normally after turns
• Take a short test drive and verify smooth operation through full range of steering input

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