Power Steering Fluid??
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Power Steering Fluid??
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.
Thanks for the replies...
PS dont beat up the newbie to bad.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 1
From: Newport News
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? 
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,643
Likes: 8
From: NE Texas
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.
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.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
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.
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: western pa.
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.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,176
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From: Somewhere n North America
Power Steering Fluid
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
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
Last edited by vjsimone; Sep 18, 2024 at 08:22 AM. Reason: Adding text
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 1,579
Likes: 926
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.
…
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.
…
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,258
Likes: 438
From: IL
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.