Okay, I know you can use ATF in the power steering pump, but I'm not sure what type I can use. I know Type F is okay, but is Mercon III? That's what I have on hand. I'm going to change my fluid tomorrow and will have to get some if that won't work. Anybody know for sure? The owner's manual is no help, its recommendation is "Premium Power Steering Fluid."

 

I have never heard that. Why in the world would you put anything but power steering fluid in it?

 

just go to the auto part store and pick up a bottle. it says "power steering fluid"

 

AGR, a company that makes high performance power steering upgrade systems warns against using ATF in any of thier systems. They claim it will damage thier seals. I don't know if this is true about the factory seals. I use the valvoline synthetic.
Mark

 

My 93 specifies Type F. Thats what Ford says so it must be ok. I think Mercon is a little "slipperier" so probably stick with F.

 

My local dealer just replaced my power steering pump and filled the system with Type F.

If you already have power steering fluid in it, stay with it. If it has Type F, stay with that. Otherwise, drain it and make a pick.

 

From the posts in the oil/lubrication forum, I got the impression that "power steering fluid" was just more expensive and ATF will work just as well. Do a search and you'll see what I mean. And I'm almost positive my 86 has ATF in it also.

 

How much more expensive are we talking here, few bucks?

 

I'm not sure, that's just what I read. I went ahead and used power steering fluid. I mainly figured since I had a couple bottles of ATF maybe I could use them up.

 

The stuff packaged as PSF usually also says something like "stops leaks; reconditions old seals". Don't use it, unless you're planning on replacing the pump & box soon anyway. It "reconditions" the seals by attacking them and softening them, in the same way that carb cleaner attacks interior plastic. The solvents in PSF penetrate the rubber of the seals and cause them to swell, sealing SMALL leaks. But they also wear out much faster, meaning the leak comes right back and now can't be stopped with anything because the rubber is already swollen & worn away.

Stick with Type F. It's cheaper anyway.

 

hey man, i recently read a pretty in depth artice in street trucks talkin about this exact subject. i'll sum it up in as few words as possible. dont run atf in you power steering if the manufacturer doesnt specifically recommend it. something about atf doesnt have the correct viscocity, thickness, blah blah blah. run power steering fluid. if it says power steering fluid on the bottle youre ok(unless it has honda in front of it...that stuff is for you guessed it hondas)
hope this helps.....icehouse isnt good for making the train of thought go in a perfect straight line


mike