78Suburban
1/2 ton status
So what fluid do yall put in your stock power steering resevoirs.. Those of you that have converted to hydro, tell me what you used to or would run in the stock system.
CK5
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What do you RUN in your steering system..
- Thread starter 78Suburban
- Start date
justinf
1/2 ton status
I picked Dexron/Mercon ATF, but I actually run Type F ATF because I believe it handles higher temps better, seems to work well with the hydraulic steering in my jeep.
81jimmyslt
1/2 ton status
I run power steering fluid, and don't have hydro yet either. From what I have read and know ATF is cheaper than power steering fluid, but ATF breaks down the seals faster. Also power steering fluid has higher tolerances and runs cooler (?).
walla2k5
1/2 ton status
Been running ATF for years no worries....
Dextron..
I voted Dextron ATF--I've used in it all my GM trucks power steering and plow pumps for 20+ years--never had any trouble or leaks..I suppose "real" power steering fluid is better,but I only used it if I found some free behind the seat or something!
But use what it says in the owners manual if you have a forigen car--Honda's and VW's power steering pumps croak in a few hours if the wrong non-factory P/S fluid is used--its like their seals melt like candle wax if anything else is substituted!
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I voted Dextron ATF--I've used in it all my GM trucks power steering and plow pumps for 20+ years--never had any trouble or leaks..I suppose "real" power steering fluid is better,but I only used it if I found some free behind the seat or something!
But use what it says in the owners manual if you have a forigen car--Honda's and VW's power steering pumps croak in a few hours if the wrong non-factory P/S fluid is used--its like their seals melt like candle wax if anything else is substituted!
.. 
I voted PS fluid, but lately I've run Lucas Oil stop leak fluid. It leaks a lot less, but is $4 a bottle so I can't tell if I'm better off.
HELLBENT DESIGNS
1/2 ton status
plan on running atf even with the hydro steering, since i have an auto trans i can use 1 fluid for spare instead of 2 
78Suburban
1/2 ton status
I did it
Well, I got my mom to pick up some GM powersteering fluid on her way home today. it was like $1.29 a pint and I got 2 pints (so I would have extra)... I jacked the truck up poured in the juice........ well, I way overfilled it. so I started it up and did the steering thing. that didn't make the level go down any...
My mom is a vet, so I borrowed a seringe and needle started sucking fluid out of the resevoir. I got the level down to 1/4" above the full cold mark and called it a day..
I'm such a goober.. I felt like Mister bean today
Well, I got my mom to pick up some GM powersteering fluid on her way home today. it was like $1.29 a pint and I got 2 pints (so I would have extra)... I jacked the truck up poured in the juice........ well, I way overfilled it. so I started it up and did the steering thing. that didn't make the level go down any...
My mom is a vet, so I borrowed a seringe and needle started sucking fluid out of the resevoir. I got the level down to 1/4" above the full cold mark and called it a day..
I'm such a goober.. I felt like Mister bean today
4xcrazy
3/4 ton status
cbbr said:
As i mentioned before, in another thread, just put in alittle brake fluid in it, if it's not a horrible leak, like just a seal, it should stop, had a few friends we did this to, and a couple of my own cars, still runnin the Burb with this in it after a year when it started leaking.
Maybe like 1-2 cap fulls, not a lot of it, too much can be bad.
AND, it's cheaper than that stop leak stuff, and not as thick
captaininsano
1/2 ton status
a blend
spoolnaround
1/2 ton status
I run a manual trans, atf isnt any cheaper so I run ps fluid.
Beast388
1/2 ton status
I've always run ATF with no problems.
Desert Yeti
1/2 ton status
Been running ATF in the steering in all my GM cars and trucks (all pre 1980 ones anyway) for decades with no problems.
usually atf, just because i rather buy somthing that'll work in 2 things.
I run GM fluid in my full hydro, ran GM fluid in my assist system before that. I've run the valvoline synthetic with good results but from the people that know more than me, when the going gets rough, the valvoline foams too much.
The GM fluid has a lot of anti foaming additives which make it the hot stuff.
For less demanding work, parts store ps fluid seems fine.
I've also heard ATF's additive package is less friendly on seals than PS fluid, but experience seems to indicate that you can get pretty good life with it.
In a pinch (on the trail) I'd run anything oily, gear oil, motor oil, whatever.
The GM fluid has a lot of anti foaming additives which make it the hot stuff.
For less demanding work, parts store ps fluid seems fine.
I've also heard ATF's additive package is less friendly on seals than PS fluid, but experience seems to indicate that you can get pretty good life with it.
In a pinch (on the trail) I'd run anything oily, gear oil, motor oil, whatever.
just a fyi for ya all most new fords now call for atf fluid. but i like p/s fluid my self.
I voted for Dextron/Mercon III ATF since that is what GM says to use in the system and it is cheaper than PS fluid. Look on the PS resevoir cap and it usually says right on it to use ATF.
I voted PS fluid because I have no idea what "Dextron" is.
PS Fluid. Why wouldn't you use it? Is there some advantage to using ATF?
TruckNutzDude
1/2 ton status
I'm running B&M trick shift ATF in my rig with hydro assist. It's pricey but I got it for free from summit when I got a trans cooler from them. Since I have a manual tranny I didn't want to waste it so it went in my power steering system (took about 2-3 quarts too!!!)
