1) What color is power steering fluid when new? Right now the fluid in mine is pretty dark.

2) When idling, should the fluid be churning in the reservoir? I don't have any steering issues to speak of, but I just want to make sure this is normal and not related to excess air in the system.

Sorry for the newbie questions. Search didn't turn up much which wasn't directly related to pump failures. Thanks!

 

It will churn a little, and the fluid should be light and clear. Get a turkey baster and suck out the fluid and replace with new. Do this a few times to get all of it out. Easiest way to replace the fluid. Also, you can compare the old fluid with the new.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I figured the answer to 1 was "light" and that 2 was normal. I'll swap out the PAS fluid this weekend. From what I've read, it seems pretty straight forward.

Picking up some ramps to tackle the transmission fluid swap this weekend as well. I know, I know, take out the fill/check plug first, before pulling the drain plug.

This forum is awesome!

 

Some P/S fluid can be clear, most are red. If yours is brownish and smelles burned, change it using 4 quarts of new P/S fluid.

 

The truck should be level when doing the tranny fluid swap...and you will get fluid coming out of the fill when you take it out if the truck is not running.

 

Obviously, I don't have a lift and it seems like it would be a pretty tight squeeze - - it was bad enough greasing the zerks down there. With the transmission so low on the car, I definitely need to raise it up. So, I need 4 ramps?

I had read that you should pull the fill plug first because that way, if you have any problems with it, you aren't stuck with an already empty trans. Is that right?

 

you are correct in the order of plug pulling. Very good idea. If you can't get under it, I would suggest 4 jack stands. I am a long skinny fellow and don't have to jack mine up. I love the clearance on these trucks.