using ATF in power steering

[poconosms1]

There was a thread a few days ago about replacing the steering fluid using a turkey baster and people were writing about using ATF.

I spoke with a mechanic nut who completely advised against using ATF in the power steering system. He said ATF (even the synthetic) does not have the additives & lubricants that the PS system requires for long life. Told me it might be ok to use it, drive it and drain it out again to get any extra dirt out. But he said make sure I don't leave it in there and replace it with synthetic PS fluid.

I have a 92x. Is it because of my model year?

 

[VairKing]

ATF is fine to use for PS fluid. My boss, who is a lubricant specialest was telling me that the main difference between PS fluid and ATF is that PS fluid has some sort of a fire resistnace that ATF doesnt. The lubricants in ATF work the same way as PS fluid. Running ATF in it will not hurt anything.

 

[edlmann]

Originally posted by poconosms1
There was a thread a few days ago about replacing the steering fluid using a turkey baster and people were writing about using ATF.

I spoke with a mechanic nut who completely advised against using ATF in the power steering system. He said ATF (even the synthetic) does not have the additives & lubricants that the PS system requires for long life. Told me it might be ok to use it, drive it and drain it out again to get any extra dirt out. But he said make sure I don't leave it in there and replace it with synthetic PS fluid.

I have a 92x. Is it because of my model year?

I have a 2001. IIRC, the manual calls for Mercon V ATF for the power steering system.

 

[Robert]

And my '97 Owner's Guide lists Motorcraft Mercon ATF as the correct fluid to use in the power steering system. Same thing on my Wife's '93 Sable.

 

[Bashman]

ATF is to be used in the PS system of our gen 1 X's.

 

[98EBV8]

How does a synthetic ATF improve the PS performance? Would the effort of the steering get lighter?

 

[acastell]

Well...I cannot answer the benifits question, but I just flushed mine with Mobil1 Syn ATF. Maybe it is in my head, but I feel the difference. Feels smoother. I am sure it is all the same...

Also, I used to have a low hiss when I turned the wheel...that has dissappeared. Could be a coincicence.

 

[MattPersman]

How much do you need?

on a first gen X how many quarts should I buy of the ATF if I am doing the turkey baster method and replacing? wouldn't want to take it all out and be a quart or 2 short

 

[wpurple]

I use a turkey baster to change the fluid in mine to Mobil 1 ATF. The manual says to use ATF.....(97 Explorer)

but my wife's Jeep Wrangler is a different story, you can't use ATF there, you have to use the clear PS fluid, something about the seals....but don't quite recolect the details

 

[FIRE and ICE]

I started the post on the power steering question.

I see that you have the same year explorer as I do (1992) . the chiltons book calls for ATF type F for our power steering units. That is what I replaced the drained fluid with.
IMHO I recommend the fluid called for in the manual ATF type F

 

[poconosms1]

I could not find the correct atf this past weekend, so I used STP synth. pf. will this make a diffence?