1996 LS400 Best way to change power steering fluid?

[Howplum]

One of the jobs to be done on my project is change the power steering fluid. One way is to raise the car, empty the reservoir, refill with fresh fluid, run the engine, operate the steering wheel several turns and keep repeating until the fluid in the reservoir is clear.This tends to use a lot of ATF, none of which can be reused.

An alternative that occurred to me might be to disconnect one or both pipes at the steering rack and drain the system completely, refill and bleed.

Has anyone done this job?

Is there are flaw in my idea?

How much ATF does the system hold?

From the diagrams I've seen there doesn't seem to be a filter, is that correct?

[ambermarine]

Howard 

The first method you describe is the easiest and safest you will use approx  2 litres to bring it back to pink.

Use a turkey baster to syphon out the reservoir and refill with new each time until the fluid is fresh and pink.

I advise against removing pipes and fittings when doing fluid changes it can lead to leaks and air pockets which then lead to problems in the system.

[cruisermark]

Plus one on the above and for the same reasons - I done it once on my mark 3 years ago

[steve2006]

Method 3 below, where it says pump out the reservoir as Phil mentions, use the turkey baster to remove the fluid.

http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/steering/psflush.html

 

[Howplum]

Thank you all for your responses. At least it means I don't have to crawl underneath the car again!

[MLW]

Method 3 seems logical. Pump new stuff in and let the old stuff never go back into the reservoir. Is it really 7 litres? It seems an awful lot of fluid. Will this be appropriate for  80,000 mile 2002 LS430?