power steering fluid
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Probably helped. More antiwear additive in motor oil. So did the leak stop or just slow down?
Junior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Whetstone, AZ
Old School
I recall being told in 1975 by my Hibbing Area Vocational Technical Institute instructor that the difference between Dextron and Type F fluids is based on the was the transmission was designed to work with respect to clutch engagement.
Chevrolets were designed to engage the clutch pack, then slip a (very) little. Fords were designed to slip a very little then fully engage the clutch pack. Thus the difference in the two hydraulic fluids.
Power steering fluid needs to be hydraulic fluid. Dextron, Mercron, Type F, are relatively the same when it comes to being a hydraulic fluid. Any will work and not harm the seals, pump vanes, or steering valves.
All hydraulic transmission fluids are considered high detergent fluids. Power steering systems typically do not have filters and because the fluids carry in suspension the pump materials that wear, such as fiber pump vanes, metal pump body, and steering gear metal, the fluid should be flushed and changed at a regular interval to reduce wear.
Engine lubricating oil is not hydraulic fluid and will foam, leading to failure of the entire system.
Chevrolets were designed to engage the clutch pack, then slip a (very) little. Fords were designed to slip a very little then fully engage the clutch pack. Thus the difference in the two hydraulic fluids.
Power steering fluid needs to be hydraulic fluid. Dextron, Mercron, Type F, are relatively the same when it comes to being a hydraulic fluid. Any will work and not harm the seals, pump vanes, or steering valves.
All hydraulic transmission fluids are considered high detergent fluids. Power steering systems typically do not have filters and because the fluids carry in suspension the pump materials that wear, such as fiber pump vanes, metal pump body, and steering gear metal, the fluid should be flushed and changed at a regular interval to reduce wear.
Engine lubricating oil is not hydraulic fluid and will foam, leading to failure of the entire system.
New User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Alberta
still confused?
Just got back from Dealership with a case of CXL-12. Parts guy talked me into using Transfer Case Fluid for power steering. But not to use it in an Automatic transmission. Owners manual (2003 Superduty 4x4 and 1997 F150 4x4) says ATF for both transfer case as well as power steering fluid. I would be happy to stock less than half a dozen different fluids for my trucks.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
I have been suing Amsoils (somewhat universal) ATF for both the transfer case and power steering on my 04' SD. It meets Mercon and Mercon V requirements along with like a dozen others. The Amsoil is expensivesmells horrible but the T-case and power steering system do not even take 4 quarts combined. Companies like Castrol and Pennzoil are still making Mercon/DextronIII ATF yet.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
Yes and no. Legally, GM and Ford no longer license those ATF's. However, if an oil company continues to blend the exact same recipe, then chemically and functionally, yes. Chevron has changed the name to MD-3 (MerconDexronIII?) and references that it meets the requirements of the now obsolete specs.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Yes and no. Legally, GM and Ford no longer license those ATF's. However, if an oil company continues to blend the exact same recipe, then chemically and functionally, yes. Chevron has changed the name to MD-3 (MerconDexronIII?) and references that it meets the requirements of the now obsolete specs.
What I don't quite get is back when say my 04' was built you were to use an ATF that meets Mercon specs period. Now all of sudden its blashemy to use an ATF with the same formulation. Now you "have" to use Mercon V. I realize they reformulated Mercon V but I fail to see why the "old" spec is so bad. Nothing in my trans has changed since it came off the line.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
Yeah most are calling it "Dex/Merc" or "Domestic Multi-Vehicle ATF".
What I don't quite get is back when say my 04' was built you were to use an ATF that meets Mercon specs period. Now all of sudden its blashemy to use an ATF with the same formulation. Now you "have" to use Mercon V. I realize they reformulated Mercon V but I fail to see why the "old" spec is so bad. Nothing in my trans has changed since it came off the line.
What I don't quite get is back when say my 04' was built you were to use an ATF that meets Mercon specs period. Now all of sudden its blashemy to use an ATF with the same formulation. Now you "have" to use Mercon V. I realize they reformulated Mercon V but I fail to see why the "old" spec is so bad. Nothing in my trans has changed since it came off the line.
applications that call for the former DEXRON®-III H
fluid and for MERCON® V and Allison C-4 fluids,1 as
well as for ZF and Voith requirements. This product is
recommended for use in MERCON V applications, even
though it is not licensed under that specification. If you
require Mercon V licensing, please use Chevron ATF
Mercon V."
Another table shows that it also can be used for Mercon SP. Dexron IV and Chrysler +4 are so different that there is not a universal fluid to substitute.
If Mark K. still hangs around here, maybe he could explain the 2004 situation. I suspect that a problem surfaced after the transmissions were in service a while that Mercon V helped correct.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Mark has said to use the Mercon V. I actually have Mercon V in my truck now as I got it changed when I had a different accumulator installed. Seems to work the same as the ATF that was in from factory. Sometime I'll have to ask Mark what exactly the differences are.
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