I've done it several times on my 98 GC, so it shouldn't be that different. Here's what you'll need:

A jack and 2 jackstands
2-3' of clear hose 3/8" ID
3 or 4 quarts of fluid (PS or MS5931 depending on what yours uses)
A hobby clamp (giant clothes pin with rubber on the ends - you'll find them in a hardware store)
An empty 1 gallon container (a old milk jug works great)

1) Jack up the front end until the tires are off the ground, then support with the jackstands.

2) Using the hobby clamp, pinch off the return line and remove the hose clamp from the steering box. This will keep the reservoir from draining out onto the ground. You can also use a 3/8" diameter piece of dowel to plug the hose instead of the clamp, but make sure you have a drip pan as the reservoir will drain out.

3) Attach the clear hose to the nipple you just removed the return hose from and place the other end in the gallon container.

4) Remove the fill cap on the reservoir.

5) Turn the wheel SLOWLY to the right then left. The fluid will start pumping out into the gallon container. During this process it is important to keep topping off the reservoir with fresh fluid. It goes faster/easier if you have someone else turn the wheel while you fill, but it can be done solo.

6) Here's when using the clear hose is important...it allows you to see the fluid as it pumps out of the system. When the fluid coming out is clean, your system has been flushed!

7) Reconnect the return hose and bleed the air out of the system before starting the engine. If you kept your reservoir filled during the flushing process, there shouldn't be much air.

You should check and top off the fluid for the next few days.

 

3 or 4 quarts of fluid (PS or MS5931 depending on what yours uses)
system has been flushed!

Colt,
Did you use MOPAR Fluid in your 98?

 

thanks for the info colt808!!!!:thumbsup:
I will give it a try once we get a bit of a break in weather around here.

My '03 also states Mopar ATF+4 to be used as the power steering fluid.

 

Now you guys got me scared. I just found a service special at Sears Automotive for a full flush for $54.00. I'm really hoping that they put the right kind of fluid in there!

 

I got one of them 12 volt vacuums pumps on ebay for like 5 bucks ..i slide the hose down inside suck up all the lower fluids and anything else at bottom first .. best to have fluids a little warm by running the engine , but gets down in it nice . then refill slowly or you can use the pump with hose to replace the fluids to .. just switch the tubes . i also use it to keep brake fluids fresh too . also great for the differentials quick change. gonna try it on the transfer cases soon , but really does do a great job . look up 12 volt oil changer on the ebay

 

Do you have to have the jeep running, of just the key in to allow easy moment of steering?

 

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No, don't need to ever start or run the engine, or key in at all. Just do the following (in sequence of pics shows):

1. Suck out fluid from reservoir so the level is below the reservoir fluid return nipple.

2. Cap the return nipple, or attach a 3/8"ID (inner diameter) clear tube mounted upright (attached with a wire to the hood). Using a 3/8"OD (outer diameter) coupler, the brass piece in the pic, attach a clear tube to the return line and lower it all the way into a fluid catch container.

3. Another view of step 2 above.

4. Put front axle on jack stands so the wheels are off the ground (can do this before step 1, just harder to do step 2 because front is higher). Then top off reservoir with fresh fluid and start turning steering wheel lock to lock.

5. As you turn lock to lock fluid will be pushed out into a catch pan. The key here is not to let reservoir go empty. On JK it takes 7 lock-to-lock turns before you need to top off reservoir again.

6. Fluid is being pushed out of the return line extension and fresh fluid is being sucked into the system from reservoir. Continue until fluid running out is clean. Mine was very clean to begin with, so I put 2qt of specified fluid through to be sure old fluid is fully replaced.

7. On the last pass, reconnect return line hose to reservoir return nipple while the fluid level in reservoir is low. This will avoid any spillage. Step 1 is done for the same reason. Top off reservoir and do 2 more lock-to-lock turns. Add more fluid if necessary. Cap the reservoir, remove jack stands, you are done!