2001 XJR. I had to replace my power steering pump last year, bought a cheapie on Amazon to get me sorted and unfortunately it is now also making that good old power steering moaning noise. It was still under warranty so I got a replacement on the shelf. When I changed the original one I tried to get all the old fluid out, figuring it might have been contaminated, but at best I got a cup or two out of the system.

Since I'll be doing this job again I'd like to check with the hive mind and get the proper way to flush out as much of the old fluid as I possibly can so the new pump I have will start its service life with the cleanest start I can give it. Ideally this can be done with the engine off as I'm currently waiting for my throttle body to come back from a rebuild so I obviously cannot start the engine...it could wait until I'm done with that of course, just hoping to get this sorted before.

Thanks!

 

much easier with engine running of course (fill reservoir, disconnect return hose and route into bottle, crank engine until bottle is full, add fresh fluid to reservoir and repeat)

Without a running engine, I'm not sure if you could develop enough pressure manually to get the fluid out of the rack.

 

Only way to empty a rack is to open both pressure and return lines of the rack. Then turn steering wheel slowly from lock to lock. This pumps oil ouf from the rack. It is messy job and to minimize the flying oil you must turn steering slow. You'll hear when the oil shoots out. At the same time pipes and reservoir is emptying from the pressure and return line.
If flush is done with engine running and quicly filling it in and out. It will only change oil from the pump, lines and rack valve. Not from the rack itself. Valve inserts high pressure oil to rack when you turn the steering. I've done the steering turning from tires. By doing from the tires you can easily see what is going on. I've done this by this method many many times on various cars. Remember to put new sealing rings if there is any.

 

So open both lines at the rack itself, leave pump and reservoir connected. Engine off, front end in the air, turn wheels by grabbing the tire and moving it back and forth and watching the oil come out until it doesn't. Replace rings if present, close it back up, swap out my new pump and start filling with nice clean fluid.

The lines look like they attach at the steering input, is that correct? Looks like the transmission makes this a difficult to access point...or am I looking at the wrong spot?

 

Yes exactly. It is easier job only when steerng rack is at the front of the wheels. Here is picture how I opened lines from my Volvo S80 p3
Volvo s80 steering rack flush.
Two long 3/4" extensions, balljoint and ratchet.

 

I just keep changing the fluid in the reservoir by sucking it dry and refilling. I do this several times until the fluid is new looking.
It's the lazy way to do it. Then I usually do it again at every oil change since I am right there and can remember to do it.
.
.
.

 

This is what I did as well and it worked fine. I think I did 4 cycles and fluid now looks mint when sampling.

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...change-265754/

 

Thanks Peter!