Power Steering Pump Fluid

[MikeTEC]

My 93 EB Explorer's owner's manual calls for using Dextron III/Mercon ATF when adding or changing the fluid in the power steering pump. Are there better fluid upgrades or should one stick with Dextron III/Mercon?Thanks Mike

 

[aldive]

I am very happy with a change to synthetic ps fluid. All chatter has vanished.

 

[MikeTEC]

I have gone to Mobil 1 ATF in my transmission. Since it is Dextron III/Mercon rated, wondering if it would be fine to use in my power steering pump. Would appreciate hearing from early 91-94 owners who have tried this. Thanks Mike

 

[Rhett]

Want the real scoop

I would like to know if purpose-made PS fluid can be used in the 91-94's as well. My manual says:

"Use only power steering fluid that:
meets Ford Spec ESW-M2C33-F, such as Ford Premium Power Steering Fluid, E6AZ-19582-AA or an equiovalent Type F Automatic Transmission Fluid with a Ford registration number (an 8-digit number beginning with "2P" printed on the fluid container)."

So it sounds like ATF is the SAME as the "Ford Premium Power Steering Fluid"? ??

 

[LukeDog3D]

I have valvoline synthetic power steering fluid in mine. I changed it 2 winters ago because the pump would make noise until it got warm. It doesn't make noise anymore, and it hasn't given me any problems since...

 

[MikeTEC]

Thanks Gimp, Rhett and Luke for your responses. My power steering unit is not having any problems, but has the original fluid in it since I bought the truck new in 1993. Just thought it might be a good idea to change to a synthetic since I have had such great luck with Mobil 1 oil which I switched to when it had 8K on it. Pulling a small trailer in hot Texas weather, synthetics are a plus. Mike TEC

 

[MikeTEC]

Gimp: From some other threads I have read, I believe you are using Mobil 1 tranny fluid as well. Hope I have good luck with it too. I ended up adding 13 qts total to my entire system. Yes, my truck as the towing package and tranny cooler, which I drained as well. At 9 quarts, Iwas not able to touch the dipstick and the gears would not engage so I panicked. By adding 4 additional qts., it works fine now. Strange my owners manual says the transmission system holds 9.6 U.S. qts. Clearly, it holds more. I did not drain the pan, which I figure holds an additional 3 qts. Mike