Type F ATF or Power steering fluid?

[Mudboy]

Well iwas going to rebuild my power steering pump but with my account at the pump store bumping the price way down and the desire to have the thing moving this weekend I decided against. Well I got the new pump installed onto teh bracket and the pulley back on (tons of fun). When I get home I'll install my new PS Pump, new alternator, new idler pulley and new belt. After this i will flush the old fluid out of the lines and steering box with new fluid. But the question is..... "what fluid should I use". I see a mix of opinions on here between Type F ATF and power steering fluid. The paper work that came with the pump is calling for type F. So what would you use and why? I'm only going to be checking this thread till 3:30 , then I'm off to home to begin the install. Thanks in advance

 

[IZwack]

I dont think it matters too much but I'd use the power steering fluid. My reason: the power steering system's pressure is magnitudes greater than the transmission's. Plus if you ever have a leak, you know whether or not its the transmission simply based on the color. Now only if they made power steering fluid in blue .

 

[FIND]

ATF is the same kind of oil as power steering fluid and will work if you have nothing else. The additive packages between power steering fluid and ATF are different. If you aren't just looking to quickly fill it up in a pinch, then just use power steering fluid.

 

[Maniak]

I found on our 1st Gen that using Mobile one multi vehicle ATF (synthetic) quieted down our power steering.

I had already tried flushing the system and put in Power Steering fluid, but it wasn't anything special and it was somewhat noisy. When I did it again using the ATF it got nice and quiet.

~Mark

 

[Anime]

Generally on the stock system and similar replacements, using Type F ATF as recommended is what you want. Some high end aftermarket power steering pumps require using actual power steering fluid, though.

Type F is "thinner" (less viscous) than regular ATF, and power steering fluid is usually "thicker" (more viscous) than them both.

Sometimes using regular ATF or Power Steering Fluid can solve problems like noises, leaks, etc., but other times it can cause blown seals, hoses, leaks, or system failure. I'd say a system that fails because slightly thicker fluid was used was on it's way out anyway, but just the same, I'd usually advise sticking with whatever the pump manufacturer requires to keep their warranty valid. If the pump goes and you turn it in for a warranty, and it's got regular ATF or power steering fluid when it specifically states to use Type F just like stock, the pump probably won't be replaced under warranty.

 

[Mudboy]

Thank you everyone. When I got home, my girlfreind had 5 quarts of Type F ATF waiting for me, so thats what I ended up using. I flushed using the procedure that came with the pump. quiet as could be, no noise at all, feels great. Hopefully with a rebuilt pump, new hoses and fresh fluid I won't have any power steering woes for quite sometime. May grab a neew box to throw on the shelf, all moving parts eventually fail, and as far as know the box is still original.