power steering

[johnv]

the power steering fluid is very low .what fluid is used my car is a 94 1.8 is it mineral or synthetic. is a hard job to drain and refill.

[franksm]

Hi John

You can buy specific (generic) power steeing fluid from any motor factors, or you can use auto-transmission fluid - it's all the same.

There's a filter in the power-steering resevoir that should be changed too, but that may well be a Mazda-specific item.

To change the fluid:

- disconnect the hose from the bottom of the PS resevoir (the low-pressure side of the system)
- replace with a length of hose leading to an empty container
- put some new power steering fluid into the reservoir (this will force the old lubricant into the tube and into the reservoir)
- raise the car and from the driver's seat rotate the steering-wheel back and forth. Engine should be off.
- you'll eventually see clean fluid coming from the pipe - make sure the resevoir is kept topped up.
- disconnect the pipe and connect up the original hose. Ensure the reservoir is still topped up.
- wind the steering wheel back and forth a few times, wheels still off the ground and engine off.

The system is self-bleeding so there's not much more to do. The above is how I did it on a Jag and on a Merc, so I presume the MX5 is the same.

[johnv]

thanks frank i will top it up for now. i plan to change all the oil soon when it gets a bit warmer