Thread: Another fluid flush?!

Originally Posted by BigJon

I do the occasional P/S flush on customers cars (usually Nisfordholdotas and the like). I use a vacuum bleeder to suck the reservoir dry, then remove the return hose to the reservoir and cap the reservoir fitting.
I then refill the reservoir and use the vacuum bleeder to pull fluid through the return hose (while keeping the reservoir topped up) until it comes through clean.
I then reconnect the return hose to the reservoir, run the engine while cycling the steering lock to lock and check the fluid level.

Nice and clean.

Originally Posted by Discomark

Could have been worse as this lady almost got charged for a power steering flush on a vehicle that had electric assisted steering and no fluid
Hyundai driver Mali Hannun gets action on Wynnum dealership's inflated service quote after complaining on social media | News.com.au

yer that's the thread i was looking for. They told me it was black, don't see why, car's only two years old.

Anyway i said no to that, so the service came to $704!! I read the list of things that were done.....not a hell of a lot for 700 bucks!! They like to make it look like they have done a lot of work by making a new line for every single thing they look at. When really all they did was change oil, oil filter and air filter.

They also "did me a huge favor" by writing down less k's on the job sheet because i was over the service line as far as km's go, and it should have cost $1,100. How do they get away with this crap?

Originally Posted by rick130

Nice and clean.

Yes, and on a car I usually charge about 1 litre of fluid and 15 minutes of labour (as part of a service) which works out to be under $50. I really can't see $130 P/S fluid flushes being anything other than price gouging.

Originally Posted by austravel

I take it you are a "service technician"? If so what are your views on the flush?

nah, i'm not
it seems to be the 21st century job title for what used to be known as a mechanic (in dealerships anyway)

[QUOTE=austravel;1889990]yer that's the thread i was looking for. They told me it was black, don't see why, car's only two years old.

I should get around to changing it on my D1 soon then as its 16 years now since it went in! Its still red and clear though after all that time. In my opinion power steering fluid (ATF) has an easy life in a steering box/pinion when compared to the extremes it has to deal with in an auto box.

Cheers

Mark

is why i do what i can myself lol! mechanics are never normally well paid either, its the 'dealership' which makes the money from it! The local small mechanics are much better i think And I much rather support a good, local small business than the big guns anyday. I have seen some dealerships offering capped price services now though.

Well tonight I have sitting in my garage a defender 90 2005!!!! Not mine (no I didn't steal it haha). I want a 110.

I do tig welding so making aluminium brackets for a aluminium roof basket for a mate of a mate.

Its certaintly different. And as much as my patrol mate and I can poke a stick at it on things it "lacks" etc.....it is everything a 4x4 should be. Having said that, a chip and exhaust would be a must. And seat extensions (im 6ft4). Although I didn't have a problem.

Originally Posted by Discomark

In my opinion power steering fluid (ATF) has an easy life in a steering box/pinion when compared to the extremes it has to deal with in an auto box.

Cheers

Mark

You mustn't too much hard off-roading, it's dead easy to overheat PAS fluid in slow, hard, full lock/lock to lock stuff. (as it can in high speed stuff too)