80 300 SD 116 body style My power steering is sometimes hard to operate. Checked fluid level, its ok. fluid seems to be a rather black color.
would like to put in fresh fluid. Is there an easy way to drain all the old fluid off without disconnecting hoses etc.?? Thanks

__________________
Willie White
1980 300SD 116
82 D engine and transmission
If something can go wrong--it will

If the fluid is black its long overdue for new fluid and a filter.

The easiest way without removing hoses is to remove the belt, suck all the old fluid out, turn the pump by hand and keep sucking dirty fluid out and adding a little clean fluid until it comes out clean.

http://catalog.peachparts.com/item.wws?sku=M2000-97891&itempk=50272&mfr=Mann-Filter&weight=0.10

I just took off the return hose (the fatter one that attaches into the fluid tank) and then started the car. I had the hose stuck in a bucket and while my wife turned the wheel from lock to lock I poured in fresh fluid until the fluid coming out of the hose was clean.
Once the fluid was changed, I dropped in the new filter, reattached the hose and then did a couple lock to lock turns of the wheel to eliminate any air.

Took maybe five minutes.

__________________
"I have no convictions ... I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy"

Current
Monika '74 450 SL
BrownHilda '79 280SL
FoxyCleopatra '99 Chevy Suburban
Scarlett 2014 Jeep Cherokee
Krystal 2004 Volvo S60
Gone
'74 Jeep CJ5
'97 Jeep ZJ Laredo
Rudolf ‘86 300SDL
Bruno '81 300SD
Fritzi '84 BMW
'92 Subaru
'96 Impala SS
'71 Buick GS conv
'67 GTO conv
'63 Corvair conv
'57 Nomad

+1

Did the same thing except used a fluid evacuator instead of a bucket.

Doing the "start and flush" method can turn into quite an operation, at least on my car the fluid was pumped through very quickly, and I ended up making a bit of a mess.

-Jason

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

I just did the flush and fill on my 1979 300SD's power steering and replaced the filter and return hose (used Redline Synthetic PS fluid, only $9 a quart). I have been wondering, though, if it's okay to pump out all of the fluid--or if this would damage the pump. I went through a gallon of Valvoline power steering fluid in less than 10 seconds when I did the flush and had my helper shut it off as soon as the fluid was out of the pump--it made a metallic noise for a split second before the engine was shut off.

__________________
Stop paying for animal enslavement, cruelty, and slaughter. Save your health and the planet. Go vegan! I did 18 years ago. https://challenge22.com/

DON'T MESS WITH MY MERCEDES!


1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Highly Optioned, 350,000+ Miles

Just like a Transmission,Power Steering Pumps frown on attempts to be run
"DRY" (without fluid at correct levels).
Let's hope you didn't irritate the Pump!

__________________
'84 300SD sold
124.128

This did not seem to be mentioned in any previous posts, just "run it until all fluid is out of the system" which would lead a person to believe to run it completely dry. I actually had my helper shut it off before all the fluid left the pump, and it was right at the last moment as the engine was stopping that I heard a squeak that sounded like there was no more fluid in there. Also, 2 gallons are probably needed to fully flush the system, as it will go through a gallon in about 8 seconds, almost faster than can be poured in.

__________________
Stop paying for animal enslavement, cruelty, and slaughter. Save your health and the planet. Go vegan! I did 18 years ago. https://challenge22.com/

DON'T MESS WITH MY MERCEDES!


1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Highly Optioned, 350,000+ Miles

So what your saying is to do the same thing as the "start the engine and get ready for a gusher" method. Except without the gusher and you can do it w/o an assistant but you have to remove the belt and turn the pump by hand. Sounds less exciting Think I'll try it.

__________________


1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

Right but I forgot to add that the front end should be lifted off the ground so the gearbox can be turned lock to lock.

That sounds like the best way if you have the time, but no assistant. I think what stops most folks from doing it that way is , its such a PIA to get the belt off and back on

__________________


1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

I just flushed my power steering fluid, but what I did seems simpler...What do you think?

I got the front wheels off the ground and disconnected the low pressure hose. It leaked a bit of fluid of of the reservoir before I could catch it. I put a pinky finger from a nitrile glove with a zip tie around it to stop the flow.

then I simply turned the wheel and added fluid. it quickly filled up a gallon jug that I had in the washer fluid res. area with the hose sticking into.

Is having the pump moving critical for a complete flush?