Power steering questions

[Atl-atl]

So Im in the middle of my crossover steering conversion. I got a PSC gear from Offroad Design. PSC recommends using power steering fluid, not atf. My old pump and lines leaked like mad anyway so I figured Id get all new everything. When you get a pump from the parts store for a K5 they give you one that has already been lubed with ATF. Do I need to flush out the ATF with power steering fluid first? Is the amount in the new pump negligible so I can just fill up the system with PSF and not worry about it?

 

[Atl-atl]

Called PSC and got an answer. Having a little bit of ATF in the pump is fine. I can flush it with PSF if I want or just fill it and itll be fine. One interesting note is the guy at PSC said Chevy never put ATF in power steering systems from the factory but everything else Ive heard is that K5s use ATF from the factory.

 

[ZooMad75]

This particular point has come up in discussion many times. The fact is both work. I’m using atf in my system with hydroboost brakes. GM did use atf in power steering systems for many years. Chances are the guy you spoke with has no clue what GM did prior to making the switch because it happened before he was born. My ‘69 Nova’s original power steering cap has use atf stamped right into it. I bought that car from the original owner when I was 15 and know the system had not been touched.

If PSC wants power steering fluid in their stuff then that’s what you do. Using anything else will void the warranty. I hate to say it but you’ll probably need to use it based on some others experience from psc lately. I’m not saying don’t use what you got but others have had issues that required psc getting involved with. A search here would get the specifics.