MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Maintenance, Problems & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: Chilli Girl on May 17, 2021, 12:45

Title: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: Chilli Girl on May 17, 2021, 12:45
Has anyone replaced theirs?  Could a novice like me do it?  Calling @jonbill  ;)  ;D
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: paulj on May 17, 2021, 13:29
You can do this!

Firstly get the right fluid, like Ravenol ESPF.  Our power steering units are electromechanical so need that fluid.

Under the frunk trim, drivers side, the reservoir is near the steering rack and where you might have looked for your universal joint.

Take the top hose (low pressure) plastic hose off the reservoir and pop it into an empty drinks bottle.  Move the steering back and forth a few times to work the old fluid out, topping up with new as you go.  When looking good and fluid coming out is cleaner, pop the hose back on and switch on the engine, this then runs fluid through the pump.  If happy stop there, if you want cleaner go through the process again.

1 litre of fluid for a quick clean, perhaps two if you want a fuller flush out.

.....at least, that is what I can remember of it.
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: paulj on May 17, 2021, 13:33
This might help
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: Gaz mr-s on May 17, 2021, 13:44
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143920876796

That's the cheapest by a long way. The most commonly used was stuff by Total,-  supply has dried up, but before it did it was £20 per litre.

The bottle is NOT what you will receive, - they got the picture wrong. It should have PSA S71 2710 on it, which is the correct EHPS type. If you put that number into ebay it'll bring up other ads, but it'll be more expensive.

I'd recommend taking the reservoir off flushing it out. I've done the normal change procedure & mine's dirty again.
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: Chilli Girl on May 17, 2021, 13:57
Thanks Guys. I've just remembered there's a front brace across the front plastic trim. I think that'll have to come off to get the trim completely out :'(
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: Beachbum957 on May 17, 2021, 13:57
We have been using Nissan 999MP-EPSF00P for some time and it works very well.  When flushing, have someone watch the reservoir as it will empty very fast.  You can also hit the steering stops a few times to pop the pressure relief for a complete flush.
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: Gaz mr-s on May 17, 2021, 14:01
Quote from: Beachbum957 on May 17, 2021, 13:57We have been using Nissan 999MP-EPSF00P for some time and it works very well.  When flushing, have someone watch the reservoir as it will empty very fast.  You can also hit the steering stops a few times to pop the pressure relief for a complete flush.

The Nissan stuff is not readily available here.
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: Beachbum957 on May 17, 2021, 16:30
Quote from: Gaz mr-s on May 17, 2021, 14:01
Quote from: Beachbum957 on May 17, 2021, 13:57We have been using Nissan 999MP-EPSF00P for some time and it works very well.  When flushing, have someone watch the reservoir as it will empty very fast.  You can also hit the steering stops a few times to pop the pressure relief for a complete flush.

The Nissan stuff is not readily available here.
Did not know that.  In that case, the Ravenol E-PSF would be very similar.  An owner in the US had many different fluids tested to find the closest equivalents to the Toyota fluid, and these 2 were the closest.

https://www.spyderchat.com/threads/testing-the-oem-toyota-eh-ps-fluid.148522/ (https://www.spyderchat.com/threads/testing-the-oem-toyota-eh-ps-fluid.148522/)
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: jonbill on May 17, 2021, 18:17
@Chilli Girl I can get a couple of litres of this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303523580711 and put it in if you like?
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: Chilli Girl on May 17, 2021, 18:20
Thanks Jon, that would be very kind of you.  ;D
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: delhusband on May 17, 2021, 18:37
I'm going to need to do this shortly, never done it before either (ordered new pipes off ebay for £85, sprung a leak due to corrosion).
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: Gaz mr-s on May 17, 2021, 18:39
Quote from: jonbill on May 17, 2021, 18:17@Chilli Girl I can get a couple of litres of this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303523580711 and put it in if you like?

But it's a lot dearer than the one I listed !!  (just the pic is wrong)
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: jonbill on May 17, 2021, 18:43
Quote from: Gaz mr-s on May 17, 2021, 18:39
Quote from: jonbill on May 17, 2021, 18:17@Chilli Girl I can get a couple of litres of this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303523580711 and put it in if you like?

But it's a lot dearer than the one I listed !!  (just the pic is wrong)
I've been persuaded to go with the even more expensive Ravenol E-PSF, but its only £15 per litre anyway.
better safe than sorry when its Jane's car 😊
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: Gaz mr-s on May 17, 2021, 18:47
 ::)  ::)  ::)  ::)
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: Joesson on May 17, 2021, 20:05
Quote from: jonbill on May 17, 2021, 18:43
Quote from: Gaz mr-s on May 17, 2021, 18:39
Quote from: jonbill on May 17, 2021, 18:17@Chilli Girl I can get a couple of litres of this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303523580711 and put it in if you like?

But it's a lot dearer than the one I listed !!  (just the pic is wrong)
I've been persuaded to go with the even more expensive Ravenol E-PSF, but its only £15 per litre anyway.
better safe than sorry when its Jane's car 😊


I recently used the Ravenol product having read of it's efficacy in several places, the clincher was that @Carolyn has had it in her car for around 3 years iirc 2 packs/ litres is what I used.
I also cleaned the electric motor, not that mine was particularly dirty at around 65k but others with higher mileage have more noticeable brush / commutator wear and consequent debris.
Here's how that is done:

https://www.spyderchat.com/threads/ps-light-power-steering-problems-try-this.50843/page-2#post-1226761