which power steering fluid?
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 489
Likes: 1
which power steering fluid?
I have a 93 F150 4x4 and I have started leaking PS fluid and I think it is the pitman shaft seal.
I saw an unclear post saying that this model/year should be running TypeF ATF fluid for PS fluid and that regular PS fluid is bad?
I have been using PS fluid but ran out and put in some Dexron.
Am I making things worse? Should I be using TypeF or Dexron? or will regulary PS fluid be ok? What's the diff between PS and TypeF?
Thanks.
I saw an unclear post saying that this model/year should be running TypeF ATF fluid for PS fluid and that regular PS fluid is bad?
I have been using PS fluid but ran out and put in some Dexron.
Am I making things worse? Should I be using TypeF or Dexron? or will regulary PS fluid be ok? What's the diff between PS and TypeF?
Thanks.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 14
From: West Cornwall, CT
Your truck lists type F ATF as the correct power steering fluid.
The different types of ATF fluids were designed to be specific to a particular type of automatic transmission. Each type of ATF has different friction characteristics that is important to the clutch assemblies in an automatic transmission.
In a hydraulic system such as a power steering sysem, these differences are not as important. Bottom line, PS fluid, type F or Mercon would all work OK in your power steering system. I would use type F if it was on hand, but having the sytem full would be far more important than the type of fluid.
Lou Braun
The different types of ATF fluids were designed to be specific to a particular type of automatic transmission. Each type of ATF has different friction characteristics that is important to the clutch assemblies in an automatic transmission.
In a hydraulic system such as a power steering sysem, these differences are not as important. Bottom line, PS fluid, type F or Mercon would all work OK in your power steering system. I would use type F if it was on hand, but having the sytem full would be far more important than the type of fluid.
Lou Braun
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
Type F or mercon will help with the "whine" that all ford p/s systems seem to have. To give you an idea my 2001 Windstar calls for mercon in the power steering. PS fluid has less friction modifiers and makes the pump a little louder.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton, Ont.
Pitman arm seal replacement can be a PIT job, from what I've read here. I have an 87 F150, just changed the steering box to solve a pitman arm seal leak, wasn't too bad of a job. Seach this forum for "pitman arm seal" or "steering gear" and you'll get lots of info.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, MN
I guess I got "lucky" because when mine was leaking around the pitman arm, I got hit in the left front, which caused a major pitman arm leak and got a new steering sector out of the deal. Sure looks like a PIA job.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
daggerNC
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
12
Jun 3, 2007 10:45 PM
76390FE
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
10
Dec 11, 2003 12:57 AM
rusty70f100
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
9
May 3, 2003 06:36 PM
76_F150_390
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
1
Nov 21, 2002 03:49 PM
