I'm reading my owner's manual and it says to use Dexron ATF for the power steering fluid. Anyone know if regualar power steering fluid would work?

Thanks

 

No. Dexron ATF is a little thicker, and provides better cooling and lubricating properties. The seals in our P/S system are not desinged to handle the thinner P/S fluid, of standard Type-F ATF...

 

That is probably why my system is leaking.... I put regular power steering fluid in it not realizing that. It was leaking pretty bad back in december, but it seems to have slow down to nothing now.

S

 

Lucas makes a power steering sealer that works pretty good. Its red like ATF.

 

Hmm, well, if the power steering fluid may mine leak, I'm guessing a simple flush and putting in Dexron ATF wouldn't fix it will it? Are seals hard to replace? So far I know I have a leak somewhere around the pump, and where the p/s line goes into the steering rack at the gearbox where the steering wheel connects to the rack. I know that it sprays a little, because it gets on the exhaust manifold sometimes....and that only happens when I'm on the freeway, or really pushing the engine hard for a long period of time.

S

 

The washers on those connections are copper, so you can give them a quarter turn or so and it can stop them. If they've come loose, just re-tighten them. If the car has been erroneously filled with that amber power steering fluid, pull a hose at the rack and work the steering rack back and forth to get it out of the system. Then fill it with ATF and half a bottle of the Lucas stuff. This worked for my car. Just putting in ATF reduced the leaking to a little from filling up the reservoir several times per week. The Lucas stuff went on and sealed it off. Cost less than 10 bucks. No spots on the pavement under it now.

 

This is a good way to do it. Bleed as much of the old fluid out as possible, and replace with the ATF. Add the Lucas additive.

If it's still leaking, snug up the pressure line ends.

In my case, every soft line, the pump and the rack were leaking...no amount of additive will solve that. I'm replacing all the soft lines, the rack, and I resealed my pump. The pump is easy to rebuild. If you find you need to rebuild the pump, feel free to ask questions.

Also, I'm planning on a full write up of the rebuild process. I will not detail the pump removal, however, as that could vary slightly car-by-car...however, expect to spend some time on removal and reinstallation...it's a b1tch to get at!

 

How when bleeding the system, should I be doing this with the motor on, or should just simply get car on jackstands and do it with the motor off?

S

 

My 280ZX (like the 1st Gen steering) was leaking bad at the pressure hose connection. I had used power steering fluid for years, and only now found out to use ATF.

I just replaced that hose, and refilled the system with ATF fluid. I turned the engine on so that the pump was being spun and turned the steering wheel lock to lock a few times; refilled the reseviour and repeated the procedure untill the system is full and doesnt' moan at all. I also parked the car on gravel so it wouldnt' be so hard on the steering system or my tires. Actually, part of my driveway is gravel.

 

Aww man that explains why mine was leaking, the previous owner didn't have a owners manual and probably kept on adding in regular power steering fluid. But after I added some ATF I don't lose much anymore.

 

uhm... So why does it moan? ive been using ATMF and it still leaks a bit... I had my main pump to rack line break underneath the heat shield and had to replace it.. it still leaks and I havnt found where, it moan and whines... its noisier than the damned engine.

 

You're leaking from somewhere...maybe the lines not tight, maybe the pump is leaking, or maybe the rack itself...rack & pinions are notorious for leaking...

The lines are relatively easy, the pump is a cinch to rebuild, but a bit of a pain to remove...the rack itself requires the patience of the gods...i was ready to take a sawsall to mine to get it out...now I just gotta get the time to get the new one in...also, if this is the case, be aware...either remove your oil pressure sending unit, or be prepared to replace it.

 

I had to replace my entire rack & pinion to solve my leaking power steering problem heh.

 

I'm replacing everything...all new hoses, and new resivior, a new rack, and i rebuilt the pump...

 

Same thing here, using Power steering fluid. I have my original Owners manual for my 88 I over looked that badboy Quite often.

 

Yeah, definately look at the pump and the lines first. If the steering is relatively smooth then the rack should be fine (remember keyword here...should). :P

S