For those that HAVE replaced your PS fluid

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

You can't get the oem fluid from the dealer??

Vig...me or, the Chef?

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by motordavid

Vig...me or, the Chef?

ahh should've been more specific...the Chef.

[chefwong]

Going to the dealer is a trek...
I don't even go for oil changes....

I would go if I needed *bmw* antifreeze but I would think the PS*atf* would be just regular 'old dex III. Surprisingly enough, I'm just having some slight incomptabilies with my top dollar ATF.

Going to pick up the Castrol Dex III at the local parts store and maybe as the oil cap says *Castrol recommend* and it will just play nice with the PS system.

[AutoXer]

I got some Dexron III under Chevron private label and it works fine.

[chefwong]

The Dex III did the trick. I just changed it out again and did 2 reservoir drain/refills with regular Petro. Castrol Dex III and the firmness on the steering wheel is back and the moaning and squeaking for the most part is gone. I'm still getting a little bit when turning full left or right......but I just changed the fluid but we shall see over time.

As crazy as it sounds....I kinda like the boosted PS with the Amsoil *minus the noise issues* for around the town driving. Tight Parking, etc....it was alot more fluid on the steering wheel.

Heh, maybe I just order myself a bottle of RP ATF and see it's a *medium* between the Amsoil ATF I put in and the Castrol Dex III. Not too firm, not too loose.

[Junster]

Walmart carries Castrol Dex III. Is there a step by step on how to drain and change Power Steering Fluid?

[chefwong]

Junster.....YMMV but only Mobil 1 worked for me.

It's easy. Just take a turkey baster, and remove as much as you can.
Add till the line and then take a 5 minute drive.
If you choose to do it again, after the 5 minute drive, everything should be circulated.


Or you can just choose to do it every day when you get home *assuming you drive to work) for the next 3-5 days.

[HPIA4v2]

Originally Posted by chefwong

Junster.....YMMV but only Mobil 1 worked for me.

It's easy. Just take a turkey baster, and remove as much as you can.
Add till the line and then take a 5 minute drive.
If you choose to do it again, after the 5 minute drive, everything should be circulated.


Or you can just choose to do it every day when you get home *assuming you drive to work) for the next 3-5 days.

That's what I did, easy and bullet proof method. The old fluid was dark red not cherry red. I didn't have any problem before or after the procedure.

Now, as far as the fluid, check with your part dept at the dealer. My dealer told me to get Dextron III for my 2002 X5 4.4i. They don't carry the Dextron III PS fluid unless it's other BMW model which requires more "exotic" type of fluid. Better be safe than sorry.

[Junster]

I believe it's Dexron III not Dextron. Castrol ATF Dexron III -- There's actually Dexron IV now but I went with Dexron III.

I just did it and its day one. 4 more days.