I noticed awhile ago that my p/s fluid was at the low level on the resevoir tank and was going to top it off. I looked into the tank and thought, man, that stuff is black, ist'n it supposed to be a light brown color? So thinking, I have a little squeak when I turn the wheel and wonder if fresh fluid in the system would take care of that. So I pulled out the Helms and looked thru it for a fluid flush procedure and their it was. Off to the dealer to get some p/s fluid since our Hondas use a special type, not just "cheap" stuff.
After doing the change I notice, no squeak, less drain on the system when turning the wheel and alot better feel. If you have high milage I would strongly recommend you do this, I have 126,000 miles on my 98. Here is a little write-up without pics (not really needed) to do this yourself.
Items needed:
2 bottles of Honda Power Steering Fluid (a 3rd maybe needed, I needed less than 2)
3 feet of 3/4 ID hose - I used clear to see the fluid whe it stopped coming out
1 Empty bottle - I used an empty washer fluid bottle
Turkey Baster - Thinner the better but not to thin
Duct Tap - Git-R-Done
Shop rags or paper towel
needle nose pliers
It's better to do this with a cold engine, so let it sit.
Step 1 - Remove as much of the fluid from the resevoir as you can. This is where you use the trukey baster. Remove the cap and place the baster inside and remove the fluid.
Step 2 - Once the fluid level is below the return line opening (top hose connected to the res.) disconnect the line using the needle nose pliers. Place one end of the 3 foot hose over the p/s fluid return line and use a piece of duct tape to hold the joint together. Next, run the other end of hose to an empty bottle and duct tape it securely to the bottle. This should be a pretty stong connection, the fluid comes out at a good pressure. find something to keep the bottle from moving, I surrounded it with jackstands.
Step 3 - make sure you hose to hose connection is good. P/S fluid will remove paint, make sure both connections, the return line/hose and hose/bottle are good.
Step 4 - After checking the connections and secureing the bottle start the car. Move the steering wheel back and forth from lock to lock several time until you no longer see fluid being pumped out. Then turn off car.
Step 5 - Reconnect the return line to the p/s fluid res. and fill the res to the upper level line. put cap back on and start car and turn wheel from lock to lock again. do this several times then turn off car and check fluid level. Keep doing this until the fluid level doesn't move.
The fluid will be discolored still from the remains of the old the old stuff in the system. Also the pump will be making all sorts of noise, this will go away as you refill the res and get more fluid into the system, and bleed more air out.
Take it for a test drive and feel the difference. Mine feels 10x better then what it did. This will now be a yearly maintence item for me since it takes less time then an oil change and cost less then $10. If you have any questions let me know.
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