I replaced the steering gear box in my 06 F250 CCLB 6.8 over the weekend with a reman Cardone. The old gear box had what I can best describe as a chatter/binding if you rocked the wheel back and forth, that's gone now. I sucked out as much fluid as I could, then filled the reservior several times while the fluid ran out, what came out was very cloudy and gritty, guessing the old box was chewing itself up.

Can't seem to find a straight answer - what fluid SHOULD this have in it?

Sounds like I should have used Mercon, looks like I grabbed Type F instead. Could that cause the steering effort to be extremely light? I mean like ridiculously light, tip of your pinkie barely touching and turning the wheel wheel light? Very unnerving...

 

Mercon V would have been the correct fluid. A Mercon/Dex III compatible would have also worked since it probably came from the factory with Mercon (check your owner's manual).

It's unlikely the fluid type is the issue with the steering feel.

 

I'd put a Magnefine filter on the power steering system if there is debris in the system. I run a Megnefine on mine just to filter out any dirt, remaining sand, etc in the system. I agrre, check your manual. For fluid I've used Mercon V and Amsoil signature ATF (met Mercon V specs) with good results but Mercon/Mercon V was speced for my years. Type F was used on a lot of fairly old vehicles (1980s and older), highly unlikely your truck would spec it.

 

I run royal purple atf in my power steering

 

RP ATF is a Mercon V compatible. Any such compatible will be fine as long as it's good enough.

 

Thanks guys! Grasping at straws at this point, taking it to a 4WD place on friday for an alignment. Keep throwing parts at it, still doesn't drive right, hoping it's maybe just an alignment issue.