Replacing hydraulic steering fluid?

[gotchiguy]

Is it ever recommended to do this? Obviously it's not a yearly maintenance item but does it absorb water over time like car brake fluid that you are supposed to change every few years? If so, how often would you change it?

[jyasaki]

It's a hydraulic oil, like power steering fluid. Doesn't absorb water. Not really any need to replace unless you have a lot of wear and it gets dirty (in which case you have other problems to boot.)

Brake fluid does absorb water, as it is designed to be anti-boiling at high temps, and is formulated differently.

jky