Bullnose Enthusiasts Forum

Power Steering Fluid

Classic

List

Threaded

11 messages Options

Machspeed

Power Steering Fluid

Administrator

Among several things that I'm working on now, one of those is changing out the power steering pump. I need to flush the system and bleed it of air. Is there a recommendation on fluid out there? I see there is a synthetic now. Thoughts? Thanks!

John

"Blackie" - 1986 F150 4x4 - Mildly warmed over 351W HO - Original owner

Gary Lewis

Re: Power Steering Fluid

Administrator

I don't know the answers, plural, but I'm interested as I have a "new" system with a Saginaw pump and hydroboost unit, so there's gonna be a lot of air.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Machspeed

Re: Power Steering Fluid

Administrator

Gary, I had read briefly somewhere here about converting over to the Saginaw pump. What is the big deal about that pump vs. the OEM unit?

John

"Blackie" - 1986 F150 4x4 - Mildly warmed over 351W HO - Original owner

Gary Lewis

Re: Power Steering Fluid

Administrator

The C-II pump groans and whines while the Saginaw is quiet. And the C-II will puke fluid all over things if you turn the wheel with the engine off, while the Sag won't. Plus, the Sag is said to have more pressure than the C-II, but I think that may be specific to the application the pumps were originally used in.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

kramttocs

Re: Power Steering Fluid

Administrator

In reply to this post by Machspeed

I use store brand Type F

Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

Nothing Special

Re: Power Steering Fluid

What about "power steering fluid" vs "automatic transmission fluid"? The owners manual in my '97 calls out ATF. As I'm flushing and refilling the system in my '71 Bronco I asked on a Bronco board about ATF and was jumped all over by people saying that the only reason Ford specified ATF was so they could make more money servicing or replacing vehicles that had their power steering systems die immediately after warranty expired. Sorry, I haven't drank that kool-aid, but I did decide to use power steering fluid when I refilled the Bronco. I just used NAPAs basic fluid.

Bob
Sorry, no '80 - '86 Ford trucks
"Oswald": 1997 F-250HD crew cab short box, 460, E4OD, 4.10 gears
"Pluto": 1971 Bronco, 302, NV3550 5 speed, Atlas 4.3:1 transfer case, 33" tires
"the motorhome": 2015 E-450-based 28' class C motorhome, 6.8L V-10
"the Dodge": 2007 Dodge 2500, 6.7L Cummins

kramttocs

Re: Power Steering Fluid

Administrator

I've used power steering fluid in these in the past and debated doing so again on the 86. The main reason I didn't with this 'fresh' truck was to stick with the manual so I didn't have to try and remember what I used.

Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

Rembrant

Re: Power Steering Fluid

kramttocs wrote

The main reason I didn't with this 'fresh' truck was to stick with the manual so I didn't have to try and remember what I used.

Ha! I try to do that kind of thing whenever possible as well, for the same reason.

Fwiw, I asked RedHead what fluid to use when I bought this steering box and they said they use DextronIII all the time themselves, and recommend it, so that's what I used. I have a newish reman C2 pump from RA, and it runs smooth and quiet. I get a slight chirp out of the belt on start up once in a while, but the system is otherwise smooth and quiet so I've left it alone.

1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

grumpin

Re: Power Steering Fluid

In reply to this post by Nothing Special

Nothing Special wrote

What about "power steering fluid" vs "automatic transmission fluid"? The owners manual in my '97 calls out ATF. As I'm flushing and refilling the system in my '71 Bronco I asked on a Bronco board about ATF and was jumped all over by people saying that the only reason Ford specified ATF was so they could make more money servicing or replacing vehicles that had their power steering systems die immediately after warranty expired. Sorry, I haven't drank that kool-aid, but I did decide to use power steering fluid when I refilled the Bronco. I just used NAPAs basic fluid.

Just a little sip...

Dane
1986 F250HD SC XLT Lariat 4x4 460 C6-Sold
1992 Bronco XLT 4x4 351W E4OD
1998 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 350 4L60E
Arizona

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Power Steering Fluid

Administrator

In reply to this post by Machspeed

I've gone with type F for the same reasons as the others.
It's cheap and it's recommended.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

myrl883

Re: Power Steering Fluid

I use Mercon V in all Ford PS systems. Ford changed over to it quite a number of years ago.

Some really late model Fords are using Mercon LV now, but that change was just made in the last few years.

Ford Parts Monkey since 1985
1981 F100 Flareside - Black, 302-4V Roller/AOD
1986 F150 Flareside - Medium Fire Red 302/AOD
1989 F150 Standard Cab 4x4 - Dk Shadow Blue 302/AOD
1993 F350 4x4 Crew Cab - 7.3 IDI/ZF-5
I think it's a sickness...