Tech Needed...Steering Bleed!

[CTENG in KS]

Alright, who has the best technique for a good, complete bleed of the steering system??
Thanks for the help!

[CTENG in KS]

Also, are you using PS fluid, or ATF in the system?

[surfindave]

Good Question i need this info also.
I have the ifs power steer if thats any help.
It says too use the ATF dextron 111 in mine but mine looks like a power steer fluid i know heaps who have used ATF fluid and are having leaks .
Dave

[WHITE_TRASH]

Toyota specifies dexronII or equivilant which is dexron 3 these days.  I get the front tires off the ground and turn the wheel back and forth adding fluid as needed as it purges the air from the system.  Even after I do that and no more air is released I will add a little bit more than needed and leave the cap loose and drive it for awhile.  If you put the cap on tight it wont bleed properly.  I just did this exact bleed procedure yesterday when I replaced my steering box.  It works.

[BUBBA]

It might be easier to use actual p/s fluid.I am not 100% sure but I don't think it will foam like atf does.I may  be wrong it's been awhile since i've used it,I usually just use atf but working on honda's years ago they all required p/s fluid or they wouldn't work right and leaked too.

[WHITE_TRASH]

Find a Toyota FSM, it calls for dexronII or equivalent specifically.

[mudmaster]

  Dextron III is the new equivalent. Like WT said

[BUBBA]

But would it hurt it to use p/s fluid,dexron 3 is what I use,I was just wandering if it would make it easier to bleed using p/s fluid

[mudmaster]

I believe PS fluid is compatible. It shouldn't make a difference though.

[WHITE_TRASH]

P/S fluid cant take the heat that atf can its designed to better take the heat without foaming or burning. 

[rockhound]

Wow, good to know I just bled my system and used ps fluid. Should I drain and use DIII?

[WHITE_TRASH]

I wouldnt worry about it unless it starts foaming or gets difficult to steer.  Ive seen them last forever with no leaks or issues and Ive seen them reject p/s fluid like the plague.  If yours will take it Id jut leave it.  Save yourself some $ if ya can.

[rockhound]

Thanks White, you da' man.   
Saving money and avoiding a mess. It just isn't easy changing ps fluid.

[WHITE_TRASH]

You d think they'd put a draincock on the box or something....  Hmm, maybe I shoulda tapped an extra hole when I tapped my box the other day??  Damnit I missed it again....  lol

[CTENG in KS]

Thanks for all the info, anybody know if ATF has a shelf life, I have a bottle, brand new never opened, but it has been sitting for a while...still good?

[gonzo]

Thanks for all the info, anybody know if ATF has a shelf life, I have a bottle, brand new never opened, but it has been sitting for a while...still good?

I had one that was over a year old and I used it with no problems.  If it does have a shelf life I would think it would be on the container.

[CTENG in KS]

No dates to be found on the container.

[gonzo]

No dates to be found on the container.

No shelf life then. 

[CTENG in KS]

Alright, used ATF, started the truck and turned it off a couple times..gurgle, gurgle, sucked the fluid right down.  Then I started to crank the wheel till it foamed up then shut it off.  I let it sit and cool and did it again, the second time there were some bubbles, then nothing, so I tried driving it, very nice, much better than the push pull!

[mudmaster]