Power steering fluid vs. ATF

[opfor2]

How many of you Guys and Girls out there use ATF inside of there power steering pumps instead of power steering fluid?

 

[dave_90_blazer]

I use ATF, mainly because my box is bleeding

I recommend P/S fluid if there are zero leaks
type "F" ATF if the hoses are seaping(often stops the leak)
and the cheapest ATF you can find if it is leaking bad

 

[79Beast]

ATF isn't that much cheaper than PSF. I ONLY use PSF. I experimented and I'll tell you right away that ATF boils over faster and doesn't perform as well. It also foams up worse. There's a reason PSF was invented.

 

[Citizen Rider]

I currently have ATF in mine cause the pump went dry offroad and ATF is all i had with me. But Next week im putting in a new box and other stuff ill use PSF.

 

[surpip]

i have been told that the seals in the box's and pumps do not hold up well to ATF
that being said i use ATF and it leaks like crazy
so after i get a new pump, and rebuild my box i will us PS fluid

 

[ryoken]

Funny how threads like this alternate between views... Last time this came up, the consensus was overwhelmingly, just use ATF.

Thats my opinion.. I don't by the seal thing for a second... The leak would have showed or developed anyway.. ATF has been used regularly from the factory forever.. Matter of fact, I can't say I've seen PSF in any vehicle I've owned or worked on...

 

[big dan]

Ive heard that the atf causes the seals to leak but I dont know for sure. mine has been leakings since I got it but Ive always used atf.

 

[walla2k5]

I've used ATF for years , no problems...

 

[rjfguitar]

Amsoil reccommends ATF for modern power steering systems. I don't buy it making seals leak either. Look at it's other applications, transmissions have tons of seals in them along with transfer cases.

 

[fabjunkie]

On my old Ramcharger, the box leaked something feirce, and I was filling it up a couple times a day. Well the day came that I didn't have any more PSF, so I threw in what I had, yep some good 'ole 20/50. After a little oil leak stop and couple small top offs, it never leaked again, never puked, or had any problems. I drove it like that for a couple more years.

 

[Chaddy]

Certain seals and hoses are made for different fluids. That being said I only use PSF in my steering system.

 

[ssped]

They really are almost identical. Both have anti foaming agents and are standard hydrolic flluids. at the dealers I have worked at (dodge, Cheep, Chrysler Mitsu...) it is pretty relative. the only system We have to use certain fluids in is ACE systems and some of the new Rack n pinions are running synthetic. I would imagine the seals... in the trans are way more sensitive than a PS system and the lines for PS and Trans cooler are the same Rubber pressure lines.

That said I have been running ATF for 20 years without any problems.

At dodge in the caravans we used to add a small bottle of anti foaming agent if they made noise. at Rover we change the Synthetic fluid for the racks to quiet them down.

 

[berserker]

yes atf should not change a thing back in the day alot of cars came with atf in ps systems. i use it cause its cheaper and instead of carrying ps and atf i just carry atf. two for one.

 

[onetonbb74]

Since My Box, Pump, Lines, And Reservoir Are Brand New, I Used Psf. Although I Used To Use Atf Because I Didnt Care On The Last System (push Pull) And Everything Was Hammered. My Elcamino Didnt Mind Atf Either.

 

[bdozeraz]

The place that rebuilt my box and pump said use either. I use atf so I have to carry less different types of fluid with me. Before I added the ram assist I used atf plus a half bottle of stp oil treatment. It gave the pump a little boost in pressure.

Brent

 

[Mudgod]

Neither! I use the same hydraulic fluid in my PS as I do in my tractor. Cut way down on my foaming problem related to my fullhydro system. so I didn't vote.

 

[chevy wrangler]

what if i add gear oil???

 

[DieselDan]

All CUCVs and HMMWVs use ATF, from the factory. The Army doesn't stock power steering fluid
.

 

[txfiremank5]

For me it will be a pretty simple choice. The place I got my ram from has this clearly stated:

Use ONLY powersteering or hydraulic fluid NO ATF this will damage the seals in the parts

So, it looks like I'll run PSF only. Besides, I didn't spend thousands of dollars in upgrade parts, to save a couple of dollars on PSF. This is the wrong sport/hobby to be in, if a bottle of PSF is "too much".

 

[MetalMelter]

ATF works great for me, well maybe cuz my brother has a bad auto tranny leak and always has a case of it. I'll pay you back bro.