Power Steering Fluid....

I just rebuild my engine and after I got it started noticed the power steering DOES NOT take power steering fluid rater transmission fluid. Is this a huge deal can I leave power steering fluid in?

I probably wouldn't worry to much about it as long as the pump is quiet. the transmission fluid may have more conditioners that help keep things clean and the seals from leaking. If your worried about it just drain as much out as possible add trans fluid start your engine turn the steering wheel back and forth shut the engine off and repeat until the fluid is red in color. Power steering systems typically hold 3-4 quarts of fluid, shouldn't be too hard to flush out if needed to.

Our cars use dexron in the steering system.

 

O.

Wait, what? Am I doing something horribly wrong?

 

EDIT: F*CK. So what's the best way to drain the power steering system?

 

EDIT EDIT: What kind of damage would I have caused by topping it off with regular Prestone power steering fluid over the past few years?

Power steering fluid won't hurt. They have a few more additives. In our case, just extra money spent, for no real reason.

 

O.

You say "it won't hurt" but surely there is a benefit to using the thinner, less viscous ATF, rather than PSF (and there must be a reason that's what I'm supposed to use.) I'm wondering now if putting the correct fluid in might lighten up the steering a bit. Not that there is anything noticeably wrong with it... but in colder weather the pump can sometimes sound a bit strained.

Curious about this too....I never considered a car actually wanting atf instead of ps fluid...most of the time the mfg. is putting 20 stickers on saying not to use atf. So i've been running psf for two years....if it makes a difference, then the next time mine decides to empty out of the Oring i'm too lazy to fight with I'll have to throw atf in it and see if there is anything noticeable.

Look at any owner's manual (at least up to 07). Specified fluid is Dexron III.

The top of the reservoir also says (in French) use Dextron(sic).

 

O.

ya, ive got two cars with chattery PS pumps and psf in them. i am replacing one pump (it knocks a ton, sounds like it will blow up at any given time, the pulley wobbles a bunch) and the other has a bad O ring that needs replaced.

Simplest way to flush the power steering is a $1.40 turkey baster. Use it to suck out the fluid (I get 7 or 8 oz. out each time) then run it, repeat 2 or 3 times and most of the fluid should be changed out.

I've got a lot of people telling me to just leave things alone at this point. Might be a good idea.

Even the 4th gen uses tranny fluid (Dextron) for the P/S. It's best to drain the system and use what's recommended. It could cause long term damage to the system if not using the recommended fluid.

the best way to change the fliud,

disconnect the return hose from the pump,

attach a tube and run it to a catch basin.

then crank the pump by hand.

the fluid should pump out of the return line into the bucket.

 

keep adding new fluid as the level gets low,

and keep pumping until the new fluid is coming out the hoes.

 

the easy way, is to just disconnect the return line and start the car.

as it runs out of fluid, add more.

at some point the fluid will be new.

the pump is self bleeding if you turn the wheel from lock to lock.

don't let the pump run dry for too long.

John, you beat me to it. The first way, turning the pump by hand, is is the way I do all of mine when I want to replace the fluid.

sounds like a good project for the kid this weekend.

Keep pumping until the new fluid is coming out the hoes.

 

Aww yeah, boyeee!

Even the 4th gen uses tranny fluid (Dextron) for the P/S. It's best to drain the system and use what's recommended. It could cause long term damage to the system if not using the recommended fluid.

 

My question is, at this point, am I asking for trouble by changing the fluid in the system? I've been topping it off with Prestone Power Steering fluid for YEARS. I'm just worried that using the wrong fluid might have damaged the seals, and that changing the fluid might do something to cause things to start leaking.

 

Kind of like how you don't do a transmission flush on an old car because it could make things worse. Think it's a good idea to flush this and change the fluid, or since it is all working, should I just leave well enough alone?

Well since you been doing it for years and haven't had any problems, like the old saying.......... if it's not broken, don't fix it.

Stang - If you want peace of mind, and you have some Dexron III, follow johnegg's process above to drain and refill the system. This will "push" the old out and "pull" the new in behind it without compromising your PS system. As I mentioned, I prefer to do it by hand, to better monitor the progress, but either way works equally well. One's just faster than the other once you start.