Power steering fluid
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
Power steering fluid
Ok hopefully not too dumb a question. I was going to change the power steering fluid in my 07 and noticed it was ATF in the reservoir. Ac delco fluid is clear. Will any residue left behind be compatible with the correct AC delco fluid or will it sludge up. No current issues with steering I just have no way of knowing the age of the fluid in the car since it was in it when I brought the car home. Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,056
Likes: 3,589
From: Central MO
I've been using Dexron 6 full synthetic for power steering fluid for years. I switch over the first time I change the fluid. I've had good success with it quieting down noisy pumps and racks, and have never had a single issue. Another benefit of using full synthetic is it keeps the steering from getting heavy when it's cold outside.
If you really want to switch back, I'd suggest you buy some extra power steering fluid and maybe change it a second time after a few days of driving.
If you really want to switch back, I'd suggest you buy some extra power steering fluid and maybe change it a second time after a few days of driving.
Last edited by BadAV; Mar 14, 2020 at 07:45 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 910
Likes: 452
From: North Dakota
I've been using Dexron 6 full synthetic for power steering fluid for years. I switch over the first time I change the fluid. I've had good success with it quieting down noisy pumps and racks, and have never had a single issue. Another benefit of using full synthetic is it keeps the steering from getting heavy when it's cold outside.
If you really want to switch back, I'd suggest you buy some extra power steering fluid and maybe change it a second time after a few days of driving.
If you really want to switch back, I'd suggest you buy some extra power steering fluid and maybe change it a second time after a few days of driving.
Last edited by lobstah24; Mar 14, 2020 at 09:09 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,504
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Start with pulling the fluid from the tank.
Pull the return line off the tank and add some clear line to it, cap the tank side, then fill the tank up about half way with new fluid.
Now with return clear line of tube in a 2 litter clear bottle and someone to watch it, start the motor and do the full wheel turns from side to side to push the new fluid from the tank, through the system and into the clean bottle.
When the fluid goes clear through the clear line, turn the motor off, reconnect the return line to the tank (going to loose fluid, so why you only fill the tank up about half way to start) , fill the tank up, then do the side to side steering wheel turns again to make sure you have all the air out of the system. When done with the air bleed/steering wheel turn, make sure check/top off the tank fluid level again.
Really, the whole hard part of the power flush, is that you have to reconnect the return line in the end, meaning that you going to lose some fluid as you put the return line back on.
Pull the return line off the tank and add some clear line to it, cap the tank side, then fill the tank up about half way with new fluid.
Now with return clear line of tube in a 2 litter clear bottle and someone to watch it, start the motor and do the full wheel turns from side to side to push the new fluid from the tank, through the system and into the clean bottle.
When the fluid goes clear through the clear line, turn the motor off, reconnect the return line to the tank (going to loose fluid, so why you only fill the tank up about half way to start) , fill the tank up, then do the side to side steering wheel turns again to make sure you have all the air out of the system. When done with the air bleed/steering wheel turn, make sure check/top off the tank fluid level again.
Really, the whole hard part of the power flush, is that you have to reconnect the return line in the end, meaning that you going to lose some fluid as you put the return line back on.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
Ok so sounds like won’t be a huge deal if I don’t get all the atf out of the system. I’m getting ready to tackle the balancer so the lines are going to have to be cracked anyway to slide the steering rack aside m. I bought the ac delco fluid and then popped up the res cap so I just wanted to double check
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,056
Likes: 3,589
From: Central MO
BadAV...How did you change your fluid? Did you actually disconnect a line and do a flush? Or drain and fill the reservoir and turn the wheel lock-to-lock a few times then repeat the process until the fluid was clear? I'm planning on jacking my front wheels just off the ground and doing the latter.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
Ok so sounds like won’t be a huge deal if I don’t get all the atf out of the system. I’m getting ready to tackle the balancer so the lines are going to have to be cracked anyway to slide the steering rack aside m. I bought the ac delco fluid and then popped up the res cap so I just wanted to double check
