Does power steering fluid ever need replacement like other fluids? If so is there a plug to remove and bleed valve? Recommended fluid? This is for a Fabia. Is the power steering fluid different for different brands.

I ask because during a service of a 15yr old Peugeot I turned the front wheels whilst on stands when cleaning  underside and had a squelchy noise (air and fluid noise) moving about in rack. No leaks in evidence but reservoir is low, below minimum. 

I didn't want to top up if it is recommended that a full fluid due to age is recommended.

My Fabia might benefit too.

Thanks

 

PS I know power steering reservoir s under battery tray on the fab Fabia.

Thanks

No, changing it is not necessary, it doesn't get hot or contaminated with combustion gases like engine oil does, nor does it absorb water like brake fluid.

The racks tend to leak past the rack end seal on the passenger side and the fluid leaks into the rack gaiter where it's not always obvious. I only found out that mine was doing this when I was changing the rack gaiter. I topped the fluid up and it's been fine for months now, so maybe it's been leaking very, very slowly over a number of years. Of course, if it gets worse I will need to replace the rack.

 

This is what I was greeted with after cutting the old gaiter open...

 

 

After new gaiter...

 

 

 

Edited 2 February, 20206 yr by TMB

I think it is a slow leak on the Peugeot. It was on minimum a few years ago. Looks like there is a specific fluid for each car model after googling further.

 

I did that same job (inner track rod) on my Fabia. No leaks on my rack. Useful to know where to look for leaks . Thanks

 

 

The specific fluid thing is a red herring to get you to pay through the nose, it's just hydraulic oil, the same stuff that's used in any sealed hydraulic application, you can top it up with any suitable mineral based oil, I used ATF in mine after I had to change out the pump, it's dyed bright red which makes it easier to spot leaks.

I've got some power steering fluid but its a different name, red in colour, dextron 3. In fact the Peugeot has 2 different total fluide numbers depending on model listed in the handbook. 

 

So now I'm confused. I see what you are saying but surely there is a good reason to use a bespoke specification oil, like different coolants? Same with gearbox oils. I used recommended gear oil from Castrol for my Fabia 6 speed but it was rubbish when gear oil cold. Bought 6 speed oil from dealer 100miles later, much better.

 

 

 

Each manufacturer writes their own minimum specifications, there is no standardisation, unlike a manual gearbox or an engine where the oil is a critical lubricant, in this application the oil is simply an incompressible fluid to transfer force.

 

Dextron 3 is ATF by the way, it's what I told you I used in mine when I changed the pump nearly ten years ago.

Don't be confused, things that don't make sense are confusing.