A big thumbs up to SeaFoam Trans Tune!!!! I had suddenly developed a case of P/S high frequency SHUDDER, on my 99 Ranger, when the steering wheel was moved to either side of center. The fluid level & condition were A ok!!!!, I have kept it changed, so it's never gotten dirty. I removed about 4 oz of fluid from the P/S pump reservoir & added a like ammount of SeaFoam Trans Tune, to bring the level back up to full. In about 10 min 90% of the shudder was gone, After a 40 mile fishing trip to the lake, 99% was gone. The next day, after another 40 mile drive to the lake, fishing, it's ALL gone. So if your experiencing P/S shudder, try a SeaFoam Tans Tune treatment & a fishing trip or two, maybe it'll tune both of you up, did ME!!!! LOL BTW this is the second time the Trans Tune has worked on a P/S sticking/shudder problem, worked on my 94 Taurus two years ago, when I was experiencing a "sticking" problem with the steering wheel turned WELL off center & it's still ok. So if your having that kind of P/S problem, don't be afraid to try the Trans Tune, & a fluid flush & change, if it's dirty, like the Taurus fluid was, it just might WAKE things up.

 

I'm not sure if anyone ever took a look at the composition of their products but they seem to be just solvents, which would clean up gum and deposits but could affect seals.

 

I have been told by an automatic transmission rebuild specialist that a table spoon full of brake fluid in the transmission will rejuvenate and old transmission by swelling the internal seals and O-rings making them work again. He discouraged this trick in newer vehicles. I was told that it is a "short cut" to get a few more miles out of an older vehicle. I assume that it would do the same thing with a steering rack.

 

Thats the same issue, solvents can swell the seals just like brake fluid, this really is an attack on the material and will damage the seals.

 

Seafoam Trans Tune is Pale Oil, Naphtha & IPA. No seal swell agents, just gives things a good cleaning & a lube job LOL.!!!!

I know of two Trannymen with 60 or so years between them, that have looked at the Trans Tune reciepe and said they don't see anything in there that bothers them.

Don't know that I'd add a dose & leave it in a tranny or p/s unit for a long time though.

I don't generaly use additives & when I do it's for a limited time & for a very specific purpose. But if your in doubt, DON'T!!!!

Just relating two experiences I've had, what I tried & how it has worked for me so far.

The wife drove the Ranger today, reports no P/S shudder now.

So I'll probably change the P/S fluid again, even though it still looks new, only been in about two years now, but still has the 4 oz of Trans Tune in there, so within the next week I'll change it again & see if it upchucks anything!!!! LOL

 

I'm not trying to say there is anything wrong with using it, just adding a comment.

Naphtha is a petroleum distillate, pale oil is a similar material, just a little heavy. IPA is isoproply alcohol. All of these are solvents that can damage seals, just depend on the type of material used for the seals.

 

Well the power steering "shudders" came back this spring, so I added some more Seafoam Trans Tune to the fluid & drove it until it stopped again & yesterday I flushed the system with the last of my Motorcraft Mercon fluid & added a "Magnefine" filter to the power steering pumps return line at the cooler, to filter the fluid & see if it will make any difference in the "shudders".

Here is a link to the Magnefine web site. Nice product, well made & easy to install, comes with two quality hose clamps, but is a little pricey @ $19 ea.
I have seen them on the net for $15.

It has a 25u filter, with a built in bypass valve, so if the filter cloggs, it won't restrict or stop flow, or explode!!!! lol

Might be something nice for us to consider doing for our rides.

Flushed the 94 Taurus system today & put the filter on it too!!!!

I ordered mine from Advance Auto.
Dual Filtration

 

I filled mine with cough syrup and a couple of excedrin and it workin' just dandy now

 

Dang, double posted again.

 

Plain ole cough syrup won't work for mine, I have to add an expectorant too!!!! lol

 

when does the ps shudder occur and what does if feel like?

 

Welcome to FTE.
Review post #1 for my description of "shudder".

BTW the last flush with SeaFoam Trans Tune, new Motorcraft Mercon for the Ranger, type F tranny fluid for the Taurus & the addition of a Magnefine filter in the PS return line of both vehicles PS systems, has so far kept the acting out power steering systems at bay since 08!!!!

The Taurus would randomly, momentarily loose boost while turning well off center, left or right. The flush & addition of the Magnefine inline filter has so far kept its acting out at bay. It's pump whine is also Much reduced, almost inaudiable, you now have to stand by the fender & listen closely to hear it. Before the flush & filter, you could hear it 50 feet away!!!!

Are you having shudder problems????