mixing power steering fluid
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 789
Likes: 16
From: West Coast/L.A. Area
mixing power steering fluid
I read on this forum that we should use ATF type F instead of "power steering fluid" in our power steering pumps. I have no idea what's in there now but it's not ATF. I need to top it off cause it's a little low. Can I put ATF in with what's there now or???
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,352
Likes: 5,946
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
This^^^^^^
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 789
Likes: 16
From: West Coast/L.A. Area
Not saying it's not ATF, so evacuate as much as possible and put type F ATF in and if per chance it's power steering fluid in there now, there won't be a problem mixing ATF with the residual left? Do you know what the truck came stock with?
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 789
Likes: 16
From: West Coast/L.A. Area
Sorry, but one last question: I have several "bottles" of ATF type F from my last truck, a 81 F350 - 460. They are probably more than 10 years old but never opened. Does AFT deteriorate in it original containers and am I safe to use it?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,744
Likes: 5
From: Earth
as long as the bottle sais DEX/MERC or MERCONIII (or what ever) your good, ATF Mercon is what the power steering pumps are designed for the mercon is what Ford specified in the shop books...IIRC
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,271
Likes: 1,654
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
I've used Mercon 5 and works good with no pump failures, I've always used what ever the trans uses such as Dexron for Chitys and GMC, ATF 4 for the Mopars. Does that mean you should no but since most of the stuff we buy comes in drums its easier to use what we have.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 789
Likes: 16
From: West Coast/L.A. Area
Thank you for your response, and Adam as well. I think I understand now.
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 789
Likes: 16
From: West Coast/L.A. Area
OK guys, I'll will "flush" it. by that I mean i will evacuate all I can, fill up to the top with type F (because I have a lot of it), run the engine and move steering left and right several times, evacuate it again, fill again, run again, steer left and right again, evacuate again, and fill one last time. Sound like a decent plant?
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 789
Likes: 16
From: West Coast/L.A. Area
I performed the steps in the video when I first brought my truck home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TSw2Qlzsx8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TSw2Qlzsx8