If your car’s power steering reservoir is full, you might experience difficulty turning the wheel. The Reservoir helps to hold hydraulic fluid and when it’s full, it can cause steering problems. In this article, we’ll show you how to remove a power steering reservoir and clean it.
Identification of the Reservoir
The power steering reservoir is a small, round component located between the engine and the transmission. It contains the hydraulic fluid that helps move the engine and transmission. The reservoir can be identified by its black color, and it may have a protrusion on one side. If the reservoir is damaged, it can leak fluid and cause damage to the engine or transmission.
Removal of the Reservoir
If you have to remove the power steering reservoir, it is a relatively straightforward process. First, locate the four bolts that hold the reservoir in place. Use a socket wrench to remove these bolts. After they are removed, detach the reservoir from the chassis. Be careful not to drop the reservoir!
The reservoir can now be easily removed by gently pulling it out of the vehicle. Make sure to clean up any debris that has fallen into the fluid area before reinstalling the assembly.
Installation of a New Reservoir
If your power steering reservoir is leaky, or you just want to replace it with a new one, here’s how to do it:
1. Park the car in a comfortable position and secure it with a tie-down.
2. Remove the wheel and tire.
3. Remove the power steering pump cover by unscrewing the two screws on each side of the cover.
4. Disconnect the power steering line from the pump by unscrewing the two bolts on each side of the line near the pump.
5. Remove the old power steering reservoir by removing the screws that secure it to the car.
6. Install the new power steering reservoir by screwing it into place using the original screws and bolts.
7. Reconnect the power steering line to the pump, and reinstall the pump cover.
8. Replace the wheel and tire, and reattach all other components of your vehicle that you removed in step 3.