using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
#1
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Elwood, IN
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Car: 1986 camaro Sports Coupe
Engine: L31 350
Transmission: 89 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 gov lock
using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
i pulled a PS pump off a 79 chevy truck to use on my car, while i was isntalling it my dad told me i could use transmission fluid in it instead of me having to go buy power steering fluid, iv seen and heard of others doing this, would this hurt anything? the pump had tranny fluid in it when i took it off the truck.
#3
Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Grande Prairie, Ab
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Z28 / 1988 IROC-Z
Engine: 305 LG4 / 305 LB9
Transmission: T5 5spd
Axle/Gears: 3.42 / 3.08
Re: using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
perfectly acceptable to use tranny fluid in our power steering pumps. I have for years. Not much difference between the two. Costs cheaper too.
#4
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 26,037
Received 1,666 Likes
on
1,264 Posts
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
Yes it does "work". Not quite as well sometimes but it's "OK". Used to be what everybody did; might still be what some people do.
OTOH, there's only like $2 worth of fluid in the thing, even if you buy the "expensive" stuff... might as well use the right stuff to begin with.
I'd strongly recommend popping the pump out of the reservoir and changing out the BIG O-ring around it, so that your next post isn't about something like "I just got an old used PS pump and it leaks".
OTOH, there's only like $2 worth of fluid in the thing, even if you buy the "expensive" stuff... might as well use the right stuff to begin with.
I'd strongly recommend popping the pump out of the reservoir and changing out the BIG O-ring around it, so that your next post isn't about something like "I just got an old used PS pump and it leaks".
#5
Supreme Member
Re: using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
i see no problems using tranny fluid.
ive been using it in my power steering pumps 25 years with no problems.
ive been using it in my power steering pumps 25 years with no problems.
#6
Supreme Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Orlando
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: 357, Canfield heads, solid roller,
Transmission: Upgraded 03 Cobra T56
Axle/Gears: 9" 3.50 gears and Detroit Locker
Re: using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
It'll work. I use it in my 04 grand am because it has a leak causing me to refill every week. I'm a tech at a Ford dealership so tranny fluid is free. Ford actually only uses Mercon V in their power steering. They don't have an actuall power steering fluid.
#7
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Elwood, IN
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Car: 1986 camaro Sports Coupe
Engine: L31 350
Transmission: 89 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 gov lock
Re: using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
I accidentally over filled my pump, how do I take some of the fluid out?
Trending Topics
#8
Supreme Member
Re: using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
in a pinch, you can stick a straw or small hose in there, then put your thumb over the other end and pull it out. just like you can do with a straw and some soda. just gonna take a few times.
#10
Supreme Member
iTrader: (167)
Re: using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
go grab your moms turkey baster
AFT is said to deal with the heat better than PS Fluid. It's widely recomended by many by truck, SUV, 4x4 owners.
If you don't have one already, think about adding a factory PS cooler to your system. They add capacity and really help cooling the PS fluid temps. The use of an in-line filter is also quick, cheap, worth-while modification. ( Don't believe me; try and and see for yourself ! )
Last edited by John in RI; 11-14-2012 at 09:27 PM. Reason: edit
#12
Supreme Member
Re: using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
Every noisy/whining PS system I hear coming down the road is on a Ford. Just saying.....
#13
Supreme Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Orlando
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: 357, Canfield heads, solid roller,
Transmission: Upgraded 03 Cobra T56
Axle/Gears: 9" 3.50 gears and Detroit Locker
Re: using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
Lol, they do have one style of pump on the older cars and trucks that won't shut up. We won't even usually sell customers a new one if their only complaint is noise just because we already know there is a good chance the new one will be just as noisy. Sometimes a bottle of friction modifier (posi addiditive) will quiet them down.
#14
Supreme Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: LeRoy, NY
Posts: 7,240
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
4 Posts
Car: 2003 Hyundai Tiburon GT
Engine: 2.7L V6
Transmission: 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.41
Re: using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
Did you remember to bleed the system before taking the "extra" fluid out of the pump? If not, jack up the front wheels and turn the steering lock to lock several times WITHOUT the engine running and check again.
BTW, you can also use brake fluid in the PS. But don't even think about using PS fluid in the brakes if you want the car to stop when you hit the pedal...
BTW, you can also use brake fluid in the PS. But don't even think about using PS fluid in the brakes if you want the car to stop when you hit the pedal...
#15
Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1991 Z28 w/G92
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Re: using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
I just use the stuff called for. Like someone else mentioned it's not that much. If it leaks probably should just fix it.
Haven't had to add any for long time, but from memory I seem to recall the PS fluid being noticeably higher viscosity than ATF.
Haven't had to add any for long time, but from memory I seem to recall the PS fluid being noticeably higher viscosity than ATF.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Erlanger, KY
Posts: 914
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 1989 Iroc-z
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: Auto 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt - 2.77
Re: using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
I'm also a mechanic at a ford dealership. I can get any ford fluid or shop supplies for free. Basically its what you have left over from working on customers cars. Could be a little or could be alot.
#18
Member
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: TN
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1990 Camaro RS
Engine: L31
Transmission: 700R4
Re: using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
Only drawback I have seen to using the transmission fluid is I have seen it foam up in the pump and caused it to whine and become jerky. The solution was to put an antifoaming agent in it.
#19
Supreme Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Orlando
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: 357, Canfield heads, solid roller,
Transmission: Upgraded 03 Cobra T56
Axle/Gears: 9" 3.50 gears and Detroit Locker
Re: using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
Basically. Trans fluid and 5w-20 oil are both in 200 gallon containers. We just take it when we need it. Oil changes only cost me the price of a filter also.
Last edited by built91Z28; 11-16-2012 at 10:56 AM.
#20
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Germany
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 89 TTA
Engine: 3.8
Transmission: 200r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
#21
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: S.New Jersey
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 89 GTA/90 Iroc Vert
Engine: 5.7/5.0L
Transmission: 700R4 x 2
Axle/Gears: 3.27/2.73
Re: using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
Lucas makes a PS fluid and also guaranteed to stop leaks.
I about to try it, steer box is leakin.
I about to try it, steer box is leakin.
#22
Supreme Member
Re: using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
I understand that the key difference between PS fluid and ATF is anti-foaming agent. ATF is more apt to foam up. I have used the Lucas PS Fluid additive. It does quiet down a noisy pump and slows down leaks but don't add too much of it or you'll have very hard steering on a cold start up. The best thing you can do for your power steering or any fluid system on your vehicle is change out the fluid regularly. ATF, gear lube, PS fluid, brake fluid. It all gets contaminated over time and needs to be replaced on regular intervals. 2yrs, or 30K mi is about standard on most fluids. More often if you run it hard.
#24
Supreme Member
Re: using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
If you're road racing and working the PS hard, use the right stuff. If it's a typical street car, ATF works fine. It's the same base oil, just a slightly different additive package and different color. I don't think I've put actual PS fluid in any of my street drivers in 20 years.
#25
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Moorestown, NJ
Posts: 9,962
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Car: 88 Camaro SC
Engine: SFI'd 350
Transmission: TKO 500
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt w/ 3.23's
Re: using transmission fluid as power steering fluid
There are some viscosity differences between the two. Not enough to bother a GM pump, but if you've ever heard a ford PS pump that called for ATF have regular PS fluid put in it by mistake, youll get what I mean.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
colton_carlson
Firebirds for Sale
7
03-08-2019 12:21 PM
evilstuie
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Wanted
15
04-14-2016 08:52 PM
backtothe80s
Suspension and Chassis
33
09-05-2015 12:39 AM