In a message dated 9/24/01 1:24:36 PM, steve_syncro@TECHIE.COM writes: << Is something in my power steering system about to die on me? >> Steve, I never worried very much about power steering maintenance on most cars I have owned; parts were reasonably priced and easily replaced. As you know, this is not usually the case with the love-hate relationship one has with his Syncro. If your rack is dying a slow death, it is usually obvious from the ATF dripping past the boots when the pressure seals have failed and from the reservoir needing topped up. I saw one extreme example of this (not a Syncro) in which a clamped boot blew out like a tire. We all know that cleanliness is next to godliness with hydraulics, so a thorough purification of the system can work miracles. When I was starting to get that judder at extreme travel of the rack, I removed the reservoir and cleaned it and its filter scrupulously. Then, before I replaced it, I flushed at least 6 quarts of ATF through the system. I hung a temporary 1 gal. reservoir above the PS pump and had my son work the steering wheel from lock to lock with the engine idling while I made sure that the reservoir was not sucked dry. Be forewarned, this all happens pretty fast. It was so painless and efficacious, I did it again a couple of years later. In my case, I found the money and time well spent. Rich |
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