Return to home page

White Alliance

A d v a n c e d   A u t o   M a i n t e n a n c e

Power steering system...

The steering rack to which the pump-driven power steering system is connected produces tiny metal particles as a result of the friction between the moving metal parts inside the steering rack during normal operation.  Friction inside the power steering pump also produces these metal wear particles.  Power steering systems generally don’t employ any means of filtration capable of capturing these tiny metal particles.  It’s therefore vitally important that these tiny metal particles are captured using both magnetic and paper filtration to prevent them from exacerbating wear in the power steering system.  The kind of problems they can cause are fluid leaks, as they eat away at seals in the system, excessive wear inside the power steering pump and excessive wear in the steering rack itself.

Install a Magnefine magnetic filter in order to protect the power steering system from wear…

Install a filter with magnetic filtration as well as paper filtration on the low-pressure power steering hose that returns fluid to the power steering fluid reservoir in order to capture even the smallest metal wear particles that would normally pass through paper filtration alone.  Replace this filter every 12 months or 20,000 kilometres (12,000 miles), whichever comes first.

Magnefine is a company that makes an outstanding magnetic and paper filter for the power steering system for 3/8” internal diameter hose as well as for 5/16” internal diameter hose.  The Magnefine filter contains:

• A powerful magnet to trap even the tiniest metal wear particles within the power steering fluid that would otherwise pass through paper filtration.

• Paper filtration to trap non-metallic wear particles that are deposited into the fluid during the course of the operation of the power steering system such as material from the non-metallic seals within the system.

The Magnefine filter is relatively inexpensive and easy to change.  On the power steering system, it should be changed every 12 months or 20,000 kilometres (12,000 miles), whichever comes first, to ensure that it never becomes clogged up with contaminants.  This would result in the bypass valve inside the filter opening and allowing fluid to flow through without being filtered.

Ask your mechanic about installing this filter onto your power steering system if you’re in any doubt.

Use a power steering fluid additive to reduce wear and tear in the power steering system...

Use a power steering fluid additive such as Nulon Power Steering Stop Leak & Conditioner every time the fluid in the power steering system is changed in order to reduce wear and tear in the power steering system and to protect the seals from failing prematurely and leaking fluid.  The power steering system has a heavy work-load and needs all the help it can get to maximise its service life.

Replace the power steering fluid periodically…

Replace the fluid in the power steering system with fresh fluid every 24 months or 40,000 kilometres (24,000 miles), whichever comes first, by bleeding the power steering system according to the instructions in the workshop manual for your particular vehicle.

Return to home page

White Alliance