Power steering fluid?

[UofA_Blazer]

I did search. I know this my seem like a dumb question, but my girlfriends Xterra uses ATF for the power steering pump and I don't have a book on my truck yet.........so do you run power steering fluid or ATF for the power steering pump? Not that it should make a difference but I have a 77 Jimmy.

 

[tx_sub]

You can run ATF in your power steering system. We run it in our class 7 and 8 trucks. I have however heard people say their seals deteriorated after a while, but others have had no problem. I use PS fluid. Its only a few cents more at the store.

 

[4X4HIGH]

ATF all the way. Power steering fluid is too damn expensive. Also the seal thing is a joke, there are seals in tranny's and you don't see them going bad because of ATF.

 

[UofA_Blazer]

ATF all the way. Also the seal thing is a joke, there are seals in tranny's and you don't see them going bad because of ATF.

I was also thinking it would be one less fluid type you had to carry on the trail.

 

[sweetk30]

lots of newer rides call for atf from the factory.

 

[pauly383]

I run atf in mine , and actually like it .

Its a little thicker , and I don't seem to have any problems with it puking out , or the pump groaning while I am trying to turn while wheeling with the sub par front to back steering .

I replaced the seals in my steering box over a year ago , and haven't had to add any fluid to the sytem . The only reason I had seals to replace was the box was 20 something years old , not because of ATF .

Ran atf in every vehicle I have owned .

 

[k20]

ATF here too, one less thing to keep in my already full to the lid toolbox.......Note to self, never again will I carry spare gear oil. When I open my toolbox, I still get that wonderful smell............

 

[K5er4Life]

I thought gear oil smells pretty good, actually after going thruogh 3 700r4's in my blazer I am kind of fond of valvoline dexron 3.

 

[R77K10]

i always run either ATF, or engine oil in my vehicles, cars trucks vans, etc,.

nothing else

i ran 10w30 in my 68, i could turn it with my pinky finger, even at a dead stop

p/s fluid is total garbage

im probably going to swap to engine oil in the 77 real soon


yeh brand new gear oil smells pretty good

old gear oil ewww no, stinky bad

 

[Masiony]

one more thing, who sells PS fluid by the gallon? ATF all the way...

 

[nau81blazer]

Wow, I can't believe that. I've never heard of running ATF in the power steering. It's very intersting................

 

[ryoken]

I'd venture to guess 90% of cars on the road are running ATF.. Every vehicle I've ever owned had ATF and thats over 20....

 

[sarasotausmc]

How bad would it be to start running ATF with PS fluid already in the reservoir? Mine leaks, but it would be nice to cut down on a bottle or two.