Which power steering fluid do you use?

DMRK · 07-26-2009, 07:23 PM

I was wondering what everyone is using for PS fluid and what are good and bad ones?

The owners manual in my 82 US states to use Dexron ATF. The workshop manual states Dexron II. Is there a difference? Closest I have seen is Dexron III which appears to have superceeded II.

I suspect my PS rack is bad. There is no fluid in the resevoir, one boot is torn and fluid is leaking from it. Last time I saw this was with one of my BMW's and it was bad. So, I had a chance at a good used one from an 82 US car and picked it up. Now the fluid that is left in my original rack is red. The fluid from the donor car is/was clear (like I use in my Audi). So did someone put the wrong fluid in my car and ruin the seals in the PS rack? I really dont want to ruin the replacement rack by using the wrong fluid.

Anyone drive there car without power steering (belt removed)?

Mrmerlin · 07-26-2009, 08:29 PM

use Dextron 3 or 4, if you have an original reservoir then now is the time to change it out as well as both of the fluid lines to the reservoir

vdubr928 · 07-27-2009, 12:29 AM

Any good tranny fluid is great ps fluid. Don't worry too much about ps fluid. Just a good hydrolic oil will work.

Mrmerlin · 07-27-2009, 04:28 AM

VDUBR The WSM specifies Dextron, so NO not any hydraulic oil will do.
A rack is an expensive thing to replace due to leaking seals.
Its also a good idea when turning to full lock to back off the wheel about an inch to keep the rack seals from seeing higher pressure while at full extension

DMRK · 07-27-2009, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrmerlin

use Dextron 3 or 4, if you have an original reservoir then now is the time to change it out as well as both of the fluid lines to the reservoir

Thanks Stan.
I have the hoses. I do have the old style reservoir (metal one) Why do i need to change it out?

vdubr928 · 07-27-2009, 09:33 AM

Yeah your right Merlin. Guess I always forget about the ford stuff. Why did they do that anyway?

Mrmerlin · 07-27-2009, 10:15 AM

the reservoir has an internal filter thats not able to be cleaned so fitting a new unit takes care of the 25 YO filter.
I am not so sure about the metal reservoirs and wht their replacment costs are but i would atleast flush some brake cleaner through the bottom of the filter to remove as much dirt as possible.

Vdubr, Dont forget there is also Honda transmission oil and then Toyota, all have different specs and different base compounds. The Dextron compounds are compatible with the older style teflon seals used in the rack

Normy · 10:44 PM

I'll add this to the discussion:

I have a '97 Jetta GLX that I keep in Memphis, 1000 miles away from my home in Florida, that I use when I'm up there for work. It has a bad steering rack; I'm trying not to spend money on that old car, even if it is fun to drive.

I added Lucas Oil steering rack fluid to this car, and the leak STOPPED. There's no big secret to this stuff- if you buy it, you'll know why it works as soon as you snip the cap and put it in the reservoir: It has a viscosity somewhere between cold honey and maple syrup. There was no change in the steering- it works just fine, and the bottle at least says that it is "universal".

I recently had a small leak from my Ford Aerostar- I bought another bottle and put it in its reservoir, and that leak has stopped as well. I'm not selling Lucas Oil products, but this stuff has worked twice for me.

Problem: A small bottle is $10~

N