Successful PS fluid replacement with ATF+4

[Grease is the word]

My wife's '01 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.8L AWD 87K miles has had a major squeal upon morning startup in the 30-40F degree garage. It would go away after 1-3 minutes depending on the temperature. After it was warm the PS moaned during turning at low speeds.

I was all ready to replace the PS pump b/c when I put a wooden dowel to it during the cold starts, I could hear what sounded like a bearing.

I looked at alldata.com and found the TSB for the PS. I had the dealer print it for me. It said to replace the PS reservoir and put ATF+4 in it.

The reservoir was only $16 and I did 4 suctions and replacements after turning the wheels (off the ground) several times.

The moan is gone and best of all the morning cold start squeal is gone!

The $21 for the part and fluid sure beat a $250 dealer PS pump replacement ($100 part and $150 labor).

I am amazed that the wrong fluid would make that loud of a racket. I thought for sure it was mechanical.

I am going to drive it a week and suck out the reservoir and replace. I'll do that 3-4 more times. I read about people doing flushes like a transmission flush, but the suction is easy.

I used a Napa suction gun that I got for $11.

 

[90mustang]

Would this work for a 95 Dodge Intrepid? Could you use ATF+3 since I alredy have some?

 

[JohnBrowning]

I have been trying to tell people this for two darn years!!!! When ever I tell them this they always quote their worthless owners manuals recomendation!! I have even told people to go to alldata and see for themselfs. I even went so far as to post the TSB on one site. You can lead a horse to water but you can not make them drink.

I am glad to see that the ATF+4 helped you out! Redline C+ATF and Amsoil Universal also works great in Daimler Chrysler power steering units! If it is truely a bearing going then you will still end up haveing to replace it sooner or later. You will find though that the vechile turns easier and is more consistent in cold weather!

 

[thunderchild]

I did the power steering fluid change in mine with Amsoils Universal ATF. 2003 Dodge Durango. I did the same thing on my 2000 D. No problems at all with both vehicles.

 

[Schmoe]

Maybe someone needs to tell Ford. All their power steering system make a god awful sound.

 

[Whimsey]

quote:

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Originally posted by Schmoe:
Maybe someone needs to tell Ford. All their power steering system make a god awful sound.

---

Are you talking about the "cold weather, horribly wounded cat sound" our newer Ford trucks make

? Perhaps a synthetic Mercon will help.

Whimsey

 

[JohnBrowning]

Ford has allways had problems with their power steering pumps! They allways leak fluid or consume fluid. You can normaly bet money that if a ford has 20,000 or more miles that the power steering fluid level will be low. It has been my pesonel experince that about every 3-4 months you need to top up a ford pwersteering unit. The Ford power steering units can normaly be nursed for a while even after the resovoir starts leaking. Newer Dodges and toyotas seem to not use any or leak any fluid at all. GM vechiles tend to need to be toped off once a year until they start leaking then you have to replace the resovoir and seal nurseing them seldom works.

P.S. Most power steering problems are from a pluged up flow control valve. Periodic cleaning (anualy)with Lube Control, Auto RX, or even a little bit of Marvels Mystery OIl will prevent this. Bearing failure is the second leading cause of pump failure and is not realy preventable other then anualy flushing the unit out and refiling with fresh fluid.

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by JohnBrowning:
I have been trying to tell people this for two darn years!!!!

....
I am glad to see that the ATF+4 helped you out!

---

John, Redline recommends their D4 ATF for Corvette Power Steering instead of Redline Power Steering Fluid.

C4 Corvette power steering units have a reputation as being moaners.

 

[Virtuoso]

All three of my Fords have never had any power steering fluid loss issues..
Never changed the fluid on my Mustang, but I have on these two SHO's.

 

[brad_d]

My Ford-built Mazda pickup has one of the noisiest power steering pumps I've ever heard. That tortured-cat growl is easily the dominant sound at idle.

I first really noticed it at 40,000 miles or so, but it was a gradual realization - it could have been there from the start, for all I know.

I'm now at 140,000 miles. It's still growling, but it's not leaking (never has) and there are no apparent problems.

 

[thrace]

As to leaking Ford PS pumps. Had a leaking PS pump on my Gen I Taurus. I was surprised to find that the leak was at the seal of the reservoir on the pump body. The seal was merely a large "O" ring. The reservoir was like a flared bell that fit over the "O" ring on the pump body. Had to make sure the "O" ring was in its groove. Also changed some of the other external rubber seals. Did stop the leak. Fluid was very clean after finally getting the reservoir on the pump correctly. Used generic type FA atf.

[ May 05, 2004, 06:35 PM: Message edited by: thrace ]

 

[Eric R.]

How difficult would this be to do on a '01 Grand Cherokee? Keep in mind that the cooling fans are run hydraulicly from the power steering pump as well.

 

[Ken2]

Either Lubegard Power Steering Fluid or Power Steering Supplement will be a help in a problem unit. I added the supplement to my 100,000 mile Volvo after I changed to syn ATF in the steering, and the steering effort immediately became lighter. It's not too light, just that the stuff did make a difference.

[ May 11, 2004, 01:05 AM: Message edited by: Ken2 ]