Well, my power steering pump went out this morning which I knew was coming, started making the whining noise when the weather turned cold! I'm seeing on some of the auto parts web sites that I should replace the power steering fluid filter while changing the pump and fluid which I also plan on doing so my question is where is the filter at? I've thought I saw somewhere that it's the fluid reservoir, does anyone know if this correct and if not where is the filter or is there even a filter for the power steering fluid?

 

Don't think Rangers ever had a power steering filter, 1983-2011

You can add one on Return line if you want, an inline filter

Some years did have coolers, metal pipe loop with fins, might look like this: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/k4sAA...kw7/s-l400.jpg

And sometimes no fins, like this: https://imgur.com/wc5OvzX

 

Thanks Ron I don't remember ever seeing one anywhere but was really wondering if it was at the bottom of the reservoir in which case, I'd need to order that too. I actually ended up getting one anyway along with the hose going from the reservoir to the pump and the Mercon V.

 

My 02 Ranger has a filter (screen) in the reservoir. My Ford repair manual just states is should be flushed and cleaned out. That requires removing the reservoir, of course after draining it, it and thoroughly flushing it. Mine was very dirty after over 260K miles without changing the power steering fluid. I don't think it can be replaced without replacing the whole reservoir.

 

Thanks for the heads up on that, I thought I'd read there was a filter in it. I ended up ordering a new reservoir anyway and have to flush the hole system out as the previous owner didn't know that it didn't take regular power steering fluid and I didn't know that till recently myself.

 

Have never changed the PS filter\screen; did not know there was one 'til now.
Have gotten habit of suctioning ~1/2 qt out of Steering reservoir & refilling with fresh MerconV,
along with the usual 6mth engine Oil+Filter routine. Helps keep the PS fluid nice & clean.

 

The new reservoir came to and yes it does have a small screen sitting on top of were the exit point for the hose running to the power steering pump. It doesn't look as if you can just change the screen without buying the reservoir which was $33 on Partsgeek. I'm curious to see how bad my looks after I drain the old one out!