We just bought a 2002 F250 PSD. It has 8" lift and 37" Parnelli Jones tires (dont laugh but this is the wifes truck. I'm a lucky guy). When turning, the power steering whines quite a bit and the fluid looks pretty low. What do I put in there. I have heard different things from different people. I have heard "brake fluid", "regular power steering fluid", and synthetic ATF. I happen to have some Amsoil ATF is this ok? Should I flush it entirely and then put synthetic?
Thanks for the replies...

PS dont beat up the newbie to bad.

 

Mercon ATF.


DO NOT put brake fluid in there!!! Geesh!


Oh, BTW - welcome to FTE!

 

So is regular power steering fluid bad? I need to add some to mine. Can I use PS fluid, or only Mercon ATF? Also, how would you go about changing the fluid, and is that something that is necessary?

 

I would think that the seals could handle anything compatible with Mercon ATF, Terry, but I don't know about the performance end of it.

There is a pump that the parts houses and dealers use to suction the fluid out, but I've never done that. The only way I've ever changed out the fluid was by removing the return hose and letting it pump out. You might lose a little of the new fluid, but at least you've guaranteed a whole, complete changeout.

 

when all else fails check the original owners manual and get a compatable oil. The compatable should state it meets XXXXXXX specs.

 

If the fluid is clean top it off with mercron or a synthetic ATF. If it still whines siphon out an ounce or so with a large syringe or turkey baster and add an ounce of friction additive. It is used in limited slip differentials but it will stop or reduce the whine from the power steering pump without harm when nothing else short of a repair will. You can get it in a small 2-3 ounce bottle from the Ford dealership and some parts stores but only use an ounce, that will be enough if it is going to work. I have used it in several Fords including my lifted 2002 with 36" PJs with no problems. I use the friction additive from the Ford dealership and if you try it be warned: the stuff smells awful so don't get it on your hands or spill it.

 

My truck had a whine and the fluid was dirty.I flushed the system by disconnecting the hydrobooster return line and running it in to a bucket and put new fluid in pump as it used it,until it came clean.turn the steering wheel from side to side to get it out of the gearbox. I filled it with valvoline syn. power steering fluid from advanced. The pump is quiet and the steering seems stronger sitting still.

 

Is it true that the limited slip friction modifier is really whale sperm? I have heard this a few times....

 

MERCON V only

 

You do realize this thread has not been posted to in over 13 years right?

 

And yet, here we are in 2024 and his comment is still helpful!

 

And Ford PS's are still whining

 

And here I am in Sep 2024 second guessing my 9-year owner’s manual searching for current/updated power steering fluid information.
Kinda like the cooling fluid color changes every so many years on some makes/models.

I’m always humored by the old thread police. You would think the powers to be would archive them if they were not relevant.

I’ve never been impressed with the search routines of forums. Search on power steering fluid and it shows up 9 lines down from the top.
In this case I only found 1 thread related to “power steering fluid” on the first few pages.
If this is the only PSF thread in this section of the forum, then it is very relevant.

Looks like no change for my 2016 6.2 ; Power steering fluid: Motorcraft® MERCON LV XT-10-QLVC / WSS-M2C938-A MERCON LV
Same as my 6R140 transmission ATF

 

Owners manuals sometimes don’t age well. Like good luck finding the fluids my owners manual recommends for transmission and transfer case fluids (mercon sp and xl-12) as Ford no longer makes either one of those.

There are of course new approved fluids, but looking in the owners manual won’t get you there.

To the old , old original topic, you can use regular power steering fluid or ATF. Ford just never put a power steering fluid in a motorcraft labeled bottle that I’m aware of, so they recommend stuff they do have in a motorcraft labeled bottle.
​​​​​​…

 

I was having the whining on my 03 F350, the PO used syn PS fluid whining all the time after about a year I just drained the fluid and put in the Mercon V trans fluid and it's been fine. The owners manual states to use only Mercon ATF, but with it's discontinuation and Mercon V as the replacement, Ford says to use that.