I have a 2000 F-350 with the 7.3 PSD. She's got around 91k on the clock and within the last 2,000 miles I've noticed the steering wheel vibrating (sometimes) very slightly when turning. Upon looking at my power steering fluid it looks as brown as the dirt outside. From what I hear they use ATF in the system which goes in as red? This I believe is the cheapest place to start on finding a cause for the vibration. So my question.... how do I flush a power steering system in a 00' F-350 7.3 PSD?

Thanks In Advance


Douglas DC-9

 

go get a gallon of mercon plain mercon! the pull the return line off the p/s cooler and point it down and place a large drain pan under it. have a buddy start the truck then pour new atf in the fill port. do this for about 30 seconds. then shut it off. hook up the hose and add some more atf. idle it and check the level

 

I agree, I just changed my ps pump. I used that dexron 3 (red stuff) which I think is the same as the mercon, don't hate me if I am wrong. Doesn't hurt to get a hayne's manual.

 

mercon is Ford's rating, and Dexron III is the same thing, but GM rating. same fluid. for the PS pump, you will want a high quality SYNTHETIC ATF. here are the instructions that i posted yesterday in another thread:


you can go with a cheaper ATF like the motorcraft stuff, or you could be a ford truck "enthusiast" instead of just a ford truck owner, and go with the gold, a good synthetic ATF. to flush, remove the hose that comes out of the reservoir for the PS pump. follow that out of the top of the reservoir (it is the one coming in the top of the reservoir. follow the hose to the booster, it will go up above the booster and make a 180* turn. disconnect the hose at the booster, and put a clear piece of 3/8'' ID hose over the nipple and run it over the fender, down into a pan/bucket. get someone to press the pedal firmly but slowly, and turn the steering wheel several times while you keep filling the RS pump reservoir. the fluid will start out as a "rootbeer" color and eventually turn to a cherry/grenadine color when you are finished.

 

Thanks you guys. I hope this helps somewhat! About how much fluid does it take to top off the PS System? Where is the power steering cooler? Is it that rectangle cooler right behind the front license plate? Is there any specific brand of synthetic ATF you suggest? Thank you again!

Douglas DC-9-81

 

I don't know about the synthetic but yes the cooler is the little rectangular one in the front right behind the bumper.

 

I'm flushing my PS pump this weekend and I bought the Mobil 1 universal ATF SYN. It was $6.99 per qt. I was thinking of flushing with a few quarts of the dino stuff, and topping off with the Mobil SYN, but I was not sure mixing the stuff was good.

 

How much $$$

 

Maybe you missed it.
Times 4 quarts = $27.96.

 

Just one note. The PS will not suck the clean fluid out of a jug. It will only pump what is in the reservoir. Seems odd, but this is normal. May have to plug the open port, I dont remember if it leaks or not while the truck is running. Pretty easy. Use a fairly big jug to catch the dirty fluid and keep fingers, hair and clothes out of the belt. Dont try this alone!

 

UM, backin the olden days, MERCON and that GM stuff weren't the same, as ford used asbestos gaskets in their trannies and GM used rubber seals. The hot rod trick for the GM people was to switch to mercon during the couple of drag races, hope it didn't immediately eat the seals, but shave off a couple of tenths of your ET with firmer shifts.

The original specifications/formulae are VERY different, but are rapidly changing to similair in today's world. BTW you can put dextron in a ford and get by.

 

Thanks for the info. I printed it out.

Jeff

 

Synthetic fluid will help reduce the PS whine some experience during cold weather starts.

 

Me and my oldest son did the PS flush with the synthetic Mobil 1, worked out great and my son injoyed helping, quaility time and a learning experience for him. Very easy procedure.

 

not bad for a 4 year old thread Mike!