power steering fluid question- 1978
11-07-2009, 12:42 AM
#1
Burning Brakes
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power steering fluid question- 1978
Can anyone tell me if a 1978 Corvette power steering unit uses ATF or power steering fluid. The stuff that is in it is reddish in color, but smells like power steering fluid (as opposed to trans fluid).
Thanks,
Dan
Thanks,
Dan
11-07-2009, 07:00 AM
#2
Le Mans Master
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GENERAL MOTORS POWER STEERING FLUID
Originally in the 1950’s, automatic transmission fluid (ATF) was specified for use in both General Motors automatic transmissions and also for their power steering systems. But as vehicles got heavier, engines bigger, and temperatures hotter, the requirements for the two different systems changed. So around the same time, Saginaw Steering Gear Division and Texaco began testing and developing a fluid specifically for power steering.
That is why some of the early power steering reservoir caps had ATF specified as the proper fluid to use. After a specific power steering fluid was developed in the early 1970s all the later pump caps and the owner's manuals have said to use "Approved Fluid". The GM power steering fluid is approved for use in any vehicle with a Saginaw power steering pump.
To be honest, all of the Saginaw power steering pumps adapt fairly well to all kinds of fluids. The pumps are marketed and sold all over the world and are used by many vehicle manufacturers who specify their own power steering fluids.
I have no idea who formulated the PS fluid that is sold at K-mart, Pep Boys, NAPA, etc. This isn’t to say that it is bad. However, the amber colored GM fluid is the only fluid that has been certified and tested in GM durability test vehicles for millions of miles. It also is the only fluid that have been durability tested in the Saginaw Steering Gear engineering labs for hundreds of thousands of hours. All of the rubber compounds that are used in the seals, hoses, etc in the production GM power steering system are tested in the materials laboratory for compatibility with the fluid.
Genuine GM power steering fluid is available through any GM dealer. The GM part number for a quart of power steering fluid is 89020661. The previous GM part number for power steering fluid was 1050017. Both fluids work equally well. I recommend that you drain whatever fluid is currently in your system and replace it with genuine GM power steering fluid.
Originally in the 1950’s, automatic transmission fluid (ATF) was specified for use in both General Motors automatic transmissions and also for their power steering systems. But as vehicles got heavier, engines bigger, and temperatures hotter, the requirements for the two different systems changed. So around the same time, Saginaw Steering Gear Division and Texaco began testing and developing a fluid specifically for power steering.
That is why some of the early power steering reservoir caps had ATF specified as the proper fluid to use. After a specific power steering fluid was developed in the early 1970s all the later pump caps and the owner's manuals have said to use "Approved Fluid". The GM power steering fluid is approved for use in any vehicle with a Saginaw power steering pump.
To be honest, all of the Saginaw power steering pumps adapt fairly well to all kinds of fluids. The pumps are marketed and sold all over the world and are used by many vehicle manufacturers who specify their own power steering fluids.
I have no idea who formulated the PS fluid that is sold at K-mart, Pep Boys, NAPA, etc. This isn’t to say that it is bad. However, the amber colored GM fluid is the only fluid that has been certified and tested in GM durability test vehicles for millions of miles. It also is the only fluid that have been durability tested in the Saginaw Steering Gear engineering labs for hundreds of thousands of hours. All of the rubber compounds that are used in the seals, hoses, etc in the production GM power steering system are tested in the materials laboratory for compatibility with the fluid.
Genuine GM power steering fluid is available through any GM dealer. The GM part number for a quart of power steering fluid is 89020661. The previous GM part number for power steering fluid was 1050017. Both fluids work equally well. I recommend that you drain whatever fluid is currently in your system and replace it with genuine GM power steering fluid.
