Power Steering Fluid?
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
Likes: 3
From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
Power Steering Fluid?
On Ford trucks from 1979-1996 what kind of fluid is supposed to be used in the power steering pump? We always use just mercon/dexron compatible fluid and everything seems fine. Even when we had a hose that needed to be replaced the mechanic filled it with the same old red fluid. Is this the right stuff? I have heard that ATF is bad (that's what we use) and I have also heard that clear powersteering fluid is bad too. So who's right? Also, what is the easiest way to get the fluid out of the pump to replace it? Just suck it out? then fill it up and let it run and bit then suck it out again? Do that about 5 times? or is there a better way? Thanks guys!
-Matt
-Matt
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
ford fills from the factory with mercon fluid, so its the way to go. In my newer trucks, I use mercon v and it works great.
Just dump and pump, crank the wheel to activate the pump, and keep going until the fluid stays red, not black.
JH
Just dump and pump, crank the wheel to activate the pump, and keep going until the fluid stays red, not black.
JH
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
My 1995 F150 takes Type-F ATF, not Mercon. Not sure if you can interchange them. Your owner's manual will tell you what to use. I used a turkey baster to remove and refill about 8 oz at a time. On my wife's Aerostar the fluid was a nasty brown. After 6 times it looked as good as new fluid. Supposed to be that you can disconnect the return line, put it in a big bucket and have someone run the pump and turning the wheels while you pour fresh fluid in. Stop when it comes out clean. Likely a messy procedure. Tip: put something slippery, cardboard at least, under the front wheels to take the stress off of everything if you are going to turn the wheels in place. I chose to do my 8oz at a time on diffferent days so the car was driven some. Will be noisy after each 8 oz change until you work the steering a few times, though.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
While the book says type F, any petroleum based hydraulic fluid will work. Dexron/Mercon is the most available and works fine. Only some Japanese cars need special fluids and I dont know why.
Jim
Jim
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Perhaps, but the story may be different with some other type fluids. I was told by the Valvoline techs that their Synpower power steering fluid is not for a pump specified for Type F. They said a little of the Synpower would not hurt, but it may make the pump noisier and a full charge of it might burn up the bearing because of its friction modifiers.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 7
From: pacific northwest
Just another thought about power steering fluid types...I recently replaced the rack and pinion on our 96 explorer v8 that was suffering from morning sickness. The auto parts store recommended that I use Gunk power steering fluid. After the swap and flush the power steering pump was whining at 2k engine rpm. The Gunk fluid was clear but quickly took on a solid gray color. I did a little further research and over the last few days I have been using a turkey baster to draw out the old and replacing with Mobile 1 synthetic ATF that meets Ford's mercon specs. After a quart change of the new stuff to date the pump has quiet down drastically.
Casey
Casey
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Yeah that Valvoline Synpower was clear too. Guess the clear stuff is wrong for the Type F units, but Mercon probably is OK.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
we are talking about different year trucks here guys, I should have specified that I had a 98 f150.
Just look in your owners manual and see what it specifify's. The newer trucks take mercon the older trucks take type f fluid.
JH
Just look in your owners manual and see what it specifify's. The newer trucks take mercon the older trucks take type f fluid.
JH
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 7
From: pacific northwest
I agree JustinH...after using the Gunk fluid and getting the whine I looked in my owner's manual for the power steering fluid to use... Mercon ATF.
Also, any ideas where I can obtain a good detailed service manual or cd for my 96 explorer 5.0l v8? Been previously referred to Helm Inc or ebay. Is there a forum topic covering manuals and cds?
Thanks
Casey
Also, any ideas where I can obtain a good detailed service manual or cd for my 96 explorer 5.0l v8? Been previously referred to Helm Inc or ebay. Is there a forum topic covering manuals and cds?
Thanks
Casey
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
i bought original ford shop manuals for both of my cars on ebay, about 20 bucks each, and they are both well over a thousand pages.
Also blueoval news has this information on dvd for your computer, these are very neat, you get one for a 20 dollar donation.
JH
Also blueoval news has this information on dvd for your computer, these are very neat, you get one for a 20 dollar donation.
JH
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
Likes: 3
From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
OK. Thanks guys? Another quick question: Can I unhook the hose on the back of the power steering pump that is only held on by the clip and put it in a bucket. Then get someone to start the truck and keep turning the stering wheel back and forth while I add fluid until the fluid is clean? Thanks.!
-Matt
-Matt
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
juanbad79
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
23
Nov 10, 2016 04:47 PM
brc777
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
9
Apr 1, 2012 06:57 PM
crashed13
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
21
Oct 3, 2005 03:56 PM