Power steering fluid
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 517
Likes: 2
From: Orlando FL
Power steering fluid
I just replaced my engine and when I finished putting everything back together checked fluid levels I found I needed to fill my power steering, I bought power steering fluid but it is not red, I did not use it yet, I wanted to know if I had to drain completely 1st or if it was OK to add on top of what was in there. I thought I was suppose to use Dexron II, I didn't find that on the shelves. I have put pictures up on my garage album and I did post a video on You Tube ( harris1507 )if you want to check out thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 517
Likes: 2
From: Orlando FL
The PO put on a new power steering cylinder and new lines. When I pulled off the power steering pump I dumped out the old fluid, I'm guessing the cylinder has some fluid left in it. I guess I cam disconnect the lines and Turn the steering wheel back and forth to get the rest of the fluid out. Do you think the residual fluid would contaminate the new amber fluid or is it compatible? I thought back in the day Dexron II was used and that was red. Thanks for the responses.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Dexron II is auto tranny fluid. It can be used in P/S systems and is not incompatible with regular P/S fluid. But, P/S fluid is made specifically to perform, lube, and not foam in the P/S application, so it is a better choice than auto tranny fluid.
Purge what you can of the Dexron (drain the return line to the pump) and then fill with regular P/S fluid. The little Dexron that remains will not cause any significant issues.
Purge what you can of the Dexron (drain the return line to the pump) and then fill with regular P/S fluid. The little Dexron that remains will not cause any significant issues.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 517
Likes: 2
From: Orlando FL
Dexron II is auto tranny fluid. It can be used in P/S systems and is not incompatible with regular P/S fluid. But, P/S fluid is made specifically to perform, lube, and not foam in the P/S application, so it is a better choice than auto tranny fluid.
Purge what you can of the Dexron (drain the return line to the pump) and then fill with regular P/S fluid. The little Dexron that remains will not cause any significant issues.
Purge what you can of the Dexron (drain the return line to the pump) and then fill with regular P/S fluid. The little Dexron that remains will not cause any significant issues.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Dont worry, no difference and can even mix them
I just replaced my engine and when I finished putting everything back together checked fluid levels I found I needed to fill my power steering, I bought power steering fluid but it is not red, I did not use it yet, I wanted to know if I had to drain completely 1st or if it was OK to add on top of what was in there. I thought I was suppose to use Dexron II, I didn't find that on the shelves. I have put pictures up on my garage album and I did post a video on You Tube ( harris1507 )if you want to check out thanks
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
There is quite a bit of evidence that foaming, pump squeal, and bushing failures on Saginaw power steering pumps increase when "god knows" what brand of automatic transmission fluid is used in steering systems with Saginaw components.
Genuine GM power steering fluid is the only fluid that has been designed around the Saginaw power steering components. I see that since Saginaw (actually Nexteer) is no longer the design responsible division for steering within the GM Corporation, GM is now touting Dexron-6 as a common fluid for transmissions and steering. My contacts at Nexteer indicate that performance, durability, and life testing indicates that Dex-6 still is not as good as genuine GM power steering fluid.
So go ahead and dump any old ATF into your steering system, Ironcross. Your system will probably operate just fine.
Jim
Genuine GM power steering fluid is the only fluid that has been designed around the Saginaw power steering components. I see that since Saginaw (actually Nexteer) is no longer the design responsible division for steering within the GM Corporation, GM is now touting Dexron-6 as a common fluid for transmissions and steering. My contacts at Nexteer indicate that performance, durability, and life testing indicates that Dex-6 still is not as good as genuine GM power steering fluid.
So go ahead and dump any old ATF into your steering system, Ironcross. Your system will probably operate just fine.
Jim
