Anyone running ATF or hydraulic fluids in power steering?

[Magnus]

Hey all I'm new to the forum. I've crept on here a bit and owned a stock LML for about 30k miles, but never really needed to post. Like everything else in my life the LML is starting to turn into a test bed for my ideas, and the latest was flushing the steering with AMSOil low viscosity ATF.

My question is, does anyone run an unconventional fluid for steering, and does anyone have any sort of performance analysis or UOA? I've already put the ATF in mine and subjectively I'd say performance is better in every way over stock GM warm climate fluid, and I expect long term objective results to be better as well. I may pull a sample in a while for analysis or test a few fluids if i get bored enough.

Just wanted to see if anyone has gone off the beaten path here with real results to report. Hoping some BITOG nerds pop up and the amsoil reps keep quiet.

 

[hondarider552]

I have dex3 in mine

 

[coker6303]

Wife's infiniti actually calls for Dexron in the power steering system. Thought that was interesting.

I have Dexron with an additive in mine to see if it made any difference in noise or standing performance. Still works I guess lol :thumb:

 

[chevyburnout1]

GM switched to Dex VI in the Traverse/Acadia to help cure their horrible steering issues. I'd be curious on your long term results

 

[Balindir]

Yup I have ATF in mine, thats what was in it when I bought the truck. Works fine as far as I'm concerned.

 

[04D_MAX]

dex 3 here, no problems out of it

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

I ran DEX3 in my BURB and after about 25K miles the steering performance went to crap at idle, and the braking when towing when it was hot was poor from lack of hydro-boost. Swapped over to some BG that I had with additive and worked OK for about 10K miles. Now I'm running ROYAL PURPLE MAX EZ in it with better steering than I ever had. I opted for it because it is a slightly higher viscosity than ATF or most power steering fluids, and it was recommended BY AGR(I have one of there super boxes in the BURB). I've heard TRANSYND is REALLY good stuff in power steering, but never tried it myself. Just make sure it is a fluid with a good viscosity when hot(around 6-9 at 100C).

 

[Magnus]

I've heard good results with royal purple, but it's usually from RP fan boys with RP products dripping from every orifice, so hearing it from you is the first time I take it seriously Ferm. I might look at it, price dependant.

The viscosity is the one thing that worries me with the low viscosity ATF. Dex VI has a maximum viscosity and the AMSOil is basically formulated to meet dexVI at 5.9 cP @100C. I'm confident it has better anti wear properties than normal psf, but 5.9 is awfully thin.

Ive seen really great results with ATF+4 in Saginaw systems in jeeps (stock parts, AGR, PSC, ghetto rigged setups...) the ATF+4 always reduced steering effort and never boiled over. Just looking at published numbers, the redline ATF C+ may be the best fluid out for power steering. The viscosities are spot on at all temperatures, I'm sure anti wear and anti foam additives are great, and the polyol ester base is battle proven in HEUI engines. I only checked their psf before I moved on to AMSOil ATF or I probably would've gotten some C+ to test.

 

[dirty_max]

its pretty much all hydraulic oil anyways. just about every semi on the road runs atf for power steering fluid

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

its pretty much all hydraulic oil anyways. just about every semi on the road runs atf for power steering fluid

Actually most over the road and MD+ trucks use 15W40 oil in the steering system, as well as many commercial grade mowers with high end hydro units(low end units used ATF and equivelant). I went with the royal purple because it was recommended BY AGR, and it has a higher viscosity than other power steering fluids(I think redline was the only one higher).

 

[malibu795]

i have atf VI in mine... gets a little soft under alot of brakeing.. mainly stop n go on hot days..

need to flush my brake fluid again.. its black and setup to dot 4

 

[dirty_max]

Actually most over the road and MD+ trucks use 15W40 oil in the steering system, as well as many commercial grade mowers with high end hydro units(low end units used ATF and equivelant). I went with the royal purple because it was recommended BY AGR, and it has a higher viscosity than other power steering fluids(I think redline was the only one higher).

really? it must be different where you are at because when i worked at kenworth every fall inspect that we did for nu-way and nussbaum got power steering filter changed, oil drained, and refilled with fresh atf. also, everytime we changed the pump or gear on a anybody elses truck they were refilled with atf as well. then i back to work for the cat dealer and whenever we had the powersteering sytem opened up we put atf back in as well. there has only been one time that i have ever seen an on highway truck that was not running atf in the powersteering system. they were just running regular 10w hydraulic oil.

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

really? it must be different where you are at because when i worked at kenworth every fall inspect that we did for nu-way and nussbaum got power steering filter changed, oil drained, and refilled with fresh atf. also, everytime we changed the pump or gear on a anybody elses truck they were refilled with atf as well. then i back to work for the cat dealer and whenever we had the powersteering sytem opened up we put atf back in as well. there has only been one time that i have ever seen an on highway truck that was not running atf in the powersteering system. they were just running regular 10w hydraulic oil.

All of them in buses and a friend of mine that did fleet maintence years back on VOLVO class 8's used 15W40 as per the sticker on the reservoir.

 

[dirty_max]

hmm that is very strange, all the nuway and nussbaum trucks were volvos and ive never seen that sticker, i guess thats what i get for paying attention lol

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

hmm that is very strange, all the nuway and nussbaum trucks were volvos and ive never seen that sticker, i guess thats what i get for paying attention lol

I know these were car haulers if it makes a difference.

 

[btfarm]

I flushed and refilled my system about 40k or so ago with Napa PS fluid and there was a slight improvement in low speed control but I wouldn't write a GLOWING report. I was thinking about Transynd (that I have on hand) and may go that route but the Scottland heritage in me says whoa man... That stuff is like gold... Are you SURE?
My hydroboost is a bit leaky so I'm reluctant to throw good money after possibly bad.

 

[yellowchevy]

THEFERMANATOR

Is there only the one redline power steering fluid, 30404?

http://www.amazon.com/Red-Line-3040...&sr=8-3&keywords=redline+power+steering+fluid

I need to flush mine again bad and was looking for a good oil. I'm also considering putting a cooler on the return line in front of the pickup to help cool it.

Yellowchevy

 

[Chevy1925]

THEFERMANATOR

Is there only the one redline power steering fluid, 30404?

http://www.amazon.com/Red-Line-3040...&sr=8-3&keywords=redline+power+steering+fluid

I need to flush mine again bad and was looking for a good oil. I'm also considering putting a cooler on the return line in front of the pickup to help cool it.

Yellowchevy

i believe thats is Russell.


Ive used BG full syn stuff now for the last 5 years. have yet to do a full flush but did change a steering box about 4 years ago and had to add some more fluid to it. I can still spin the wheel from lock to lock at a stand still on these 37s with one hand .

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

THEFERMANATOR

Is there only the one redline power steering fluid, 30404?

http://www.amazon.com/Red-Line-3040...&sr=8-3&keywords=redline+power+steering+fluid

I need to flush mine again bad and was looking for a good oil. I'm also considering putting a cooler on the return line in front of the pickup to help cool it.

Yellowchevy

Not sure as I opted for the royal purple.

i believe thats is Russell.


Ive used BG full syn stuff now for the last 5 years. have yet to do a full flush but did change a steering box about 4 years ago and had to add some more fluid to it. I can still spin the wheel from lock to lock at a stand still on these 37s with one hand .

I ran the BG stuff in mine after the DEX 3, and the royal purple was night and day better than the BG. I even put the BG additive in since I had some which helped, but still wasn't great. I know it doesn't help with me having the old style steering box and a 600 RPM idle, but with the royal purple I have good steering all the time now.

 

[Magnus]

If you look at additives and viscosities, the ultimate wear reducing and longest lasting Saginaw steering fluid is most likely redline C+ ATF. Trust me, I started the thread to poll experiences but I have knowledge in this field.