Power Steering Fluid?

[bruker]

I'm going to be changing the power steering fluid in my Windstar soon hoping to clear up some mysterious steering noise. I'm thinking about using Valvoline MaxLife Power Steering Fluid. Has anyone ever used this stuff?

[steve_o]

This is a repost from another forum that I saved....FYI, I used Mobil 1 for mine, still works great.

In response to the types of fluids to use.

Mine is a 99 and other years may be different so check your manual and/or dipsticks.
The transmissions use Mercon V which is really only available at Ford. There are some Mercon V compatibles out there as well. I know of an Amsoil and a Quacker state.

Power steering pumps use Mercon which is the same as Dextron lll and is the most common ATF out there. It is available in non Synthetic, Synthetic blend and Fully Synthetic. Mobil ATF is a good example of the fully synthetic version. I have seen power steering fluid but it is not what is called for nor do the bottles explain much.

Usually the higher numbers are backwards compatible as Dextron lll can be used in place of Dextron ll or Dextron l but not the other way around. Mercon seemed to skip ll, lll and lV so I would not take the chance and assume that Mercon V can replace Mercon.

[rodeo02]

bruker- you have to use a mercon rated ATF in these power steering systems. Dont use "power steering fluid"- the clear stuff. IIRC- It will trash thes seals in the system.
G/luck
Joel

[wiswind]

Bruker....
Depends on the year....My '96 calls for a "Type F" fluid. There is a Ford specification number called out in my owner's manual......

I used Redline Power Steering Fluid....which listed the Ford Spec # on the label. It is a synthetic...which should take the heat that our windstars put to the power steering fluid.

If your manual calls for a Mercon fluid.....I would recommend the Mobil 1 Mercon....which is also synthetic. (newer windstars use Mercon...but I do not know for sure the year that they changed to it.

[davidmmm]

checked my book this morning and it said just regular power steering fluid and not mercon it is a 98 for windstar..

Originally Posted by wiswind

Bruker....
Depends on the year....My '96 calls for a "Type F" fluid. There is a Ford specification number called out in my owner's manual......

I used Redline Power Steering Fluid....which listed the Ford Spec # on the label. It is a synthetic...which should take the heat that our windstars put to the power steering fluid.

If your manual calls for a Mercon fluid.....I would recommend the Mobil 1 Mercon....which is also synthetic. (newer windstars use Mercon...but I do not know for sure the year that they changed to it.

[wiswind]

The book should give a Ford specification number.....Which is important to meet.

[Coastie John]

Ditto on changing the power steering fluid. I just did my 2000 because it started to make noise when turning AND I noticed first thing in the morning when the fluid was cold the steering was stiff. That was the first tip-off that something was wrong. Anyway, I changed the fluid with Mercon ATF and that fixed both problems.

Side thought......while I was flushing the the system I noticed the old fluid looked like syrup. Very viscious and dark.

John

[12Ounce]

I use the Valvoline in my '99. I think it saved the pump when my seals failed ... which was quite common on the '99's. The pump went "dry" several times while on a trip...couldn't buy enough of anything to keep it full.
After the rack was replaced went back to Valvoline... been using it ever since. That was 90k miles ago. The original pump is still OK at 150k miles.

[wiswind]

The owner's manual for my '96...and a several other sets of instructions that I have read say to use FORD power steering fluid part # xxxx OR a fluid that matches a specification number. It is a job tracking down the specification number...but is worth it to make sure that you are using the correct stuff.

I ran into this with the brake fluid....the FORD "Premium" brake fluid that is called for has a "dry boil point" of 550 degrees. Which is higher than the DOT3/4 specs call for (480 degrees if I remember correctly).

I did go to the website for Prestone coolant (the normal yellow/green ethylene-glycol stuff) and found the FORD spec # there that matched the one in my owner's manual.

In some cases, the difference may not be critical.....but I am not going to go on record saying that in any given case. We have to try to choose the correct replacement item for our application.
I try to use an item that is as good as, or better than the original.
Sometimes the information is on the container label.....sometimes it can be found on their website. Sometimes, it cannot be found at all.

So the point I am trying to make is.....some guidance to the data to help others make this determination for their vehicle, year, and application.