ATF in the PS pump? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Hickeyjones · 01-06-2004, 02:43 PM

Good or bad? what have you heard?

Bartcore · 01-06-2004, 02:59 PM

What pump??? My 1970 blazer drinks it. Im pretty sure all sagnaw pumps and boxs use it.

TexasBlake · 01-06-2004, 03:01 PM

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...t=ATF+steering

Quote:

Originally posted by TheLakeRat
PS fluid is basicly hydraulic fluid. Some are different than others. most are petro based but GM fluid is mineral oil based and seems to work a little better.
ATF is hydralic fluid with several additives. anti foaming, friction inhibitors, detergents, etc...
Both will work in your power steering box but the problem is that with ATF something in the additives is very prone to hardening the rubber o-rings and seals in the box.
Now all saginaw boxes built after around the 97 mark don't use rubber orings and seals so that you can use ATF with no troubles.

Hope this was what you were looking for.

Hickeyjones · 01-06-2004, 03:07 PM

You are the man. I am an idiot.

I am searchtarded.

66CJdean · 01-06-2004, 03:23 PM

I know in my 2000 f350 it uses ATF in the power steering but have heard mixed results in useing it in a sagnaw pump. I know it will work to get you home but don't think it is the way to go for every day use.

Hickeyjones · 01-06-2004, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 66CJdean
I know in my 2000 f350 it uses ATF in the power steering but have heard mixed results in useing it in a sagnaw pump. I know it will work to get you home but don't think it is the way to go for every day use.

That's pretty much what I had heard.

Tippy · 01-07-2004, 07:49 AM

I know that when I got a new pump from a local parts dealer they told me they would not warrenty the pump if I used ATF. I think it was a ploy to get me to buy a jug of PS fluid!

Howe Performance · 01-07-2004, 08:55 AM

Never ever ever run ATF in your saginaw pump,sure it works in your everyday car but when you start over working the power steering thats when trouble starts. WE use GM MR GOODWRENCH P/S FLUID P/N # 89020661 or we have our own oil that we made for hi RPM , like offroad racing/ short course where we run the pump 8000 max rpm.

Jeepskickass · 01-07-2004, 09:02 AM

Quote:

PS fluid is basicly hydraulic fluid. Some are different than others. most are petro based but GM fluid is mineral oil based and seems to work a little better.
ATF is hydralic fluid with several additives. anti foaming, friction inhibitors, detergents, etc...
Both will work in your power steering box but the problem is that with ATF something in the additives is very prone to hardening the rubber o-rings and seals in the box.
Now all saginaw boxes built after around the 97 mark don't use rubber orings and seals so that you can use ATF with no troubles.

My '73 Chevy specifies Dexron for the power steering, so that's what I've used for several years. Up until about a month ago... The steering box started puking fluid faster than I could pour it in. After pulling the box apart and replacing all the seals (which were hard as rocks) I will never use ATF again!!

FLEXYSAMMY · 01-07-2004, 09:05 AM

I have been using ATF in mine but think I am going to switch to Hydrolic (spelling) because it will stay a little cooler.

myeyesore · 01-07-2004, 09:22 AM

Toyota Specifies ATF for their pumps.

Bobzooki · 01-07-2004, 10:38 AM

Suzuki specs only ATF, also.

Howe Performance · 01-07-2004, 10:59 AM

YES some pumps do use ATF like FORD EATON ,we sometimes use this pump in trophy trucks and we found the best ATF is MOBILE -ONE BUT you should only run the p/s fluid that the manufacture recommends.SAGINAW pumps never uses ATF. And its true ATF will harden the seals & o-rings.I think Toyota & Ford like to sell seal kits.

Supergper · 01-07-2004, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 66CJdean
I know in my 2000 f350 it uses ATF in the power steering but have heard mixed results in useing it in a sagnaw pump. I know it will work to get you home but don't think it is the way to go for every day use.

hmmm, I wonder if it will quiet down a noisy pump (typical ford, ehh) on my 99 F350...

PTSchram · 01-07-2004, 11:45 AM

Gee, maybe I shouldn't have used ATF in my Blazer P/S...

for 198,000 miles.

I'm certain it was a Saginaw pump.

I don't know that I have ever used anything other than ATF in the PS pumps on my GM vehicles. The P/U I had before the Blazer, had 98,000 miles when the crankshaft broke, but the P/S pump was still running fine.

Obviously, not all have such positive performance.

Peace,
PT

Islandzuki · 01-07-2004, 02:09 PM

I just put syn ATF in my pump for the last trail run and the pump seems to run alot smoother.....

bgreen · 01-07-2004, 08:06 PM

Ya

Im running Dextron 3 atf in my saginaw steering pump for a year now, and its working great.

SlamChops · 01-07-2004, 08:13 PM

the only vehicle i've run into problems with using ATF in place of PS fluid is a 2000 ford taurus. the ATF would just buble up and out every time. every other vehicle i've run across hasn't minded atf at all.

01-06-2004, 02:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Hickeyjones Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14570 Location: Gray-antsville, Yoo-TAH Posts: 924	ATF in the PS pump? Good or bad? what have you heard?

01-06-2004, 02:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bartcore Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8944 Location: Southern Mendocino County Ca. Posts: 3,043	What pump??? My 1970 blazer drinks it. Im pretty sure all sagnaw pumps and boxs use it. __________________ C YA ON THE TRAIL...

01-06-2004, 03:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
66CJdean Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: May 2000 Member # 940 Location: Lincoln, Ca Posts: 6,397	I know in my 2000 f350 it uses ATF in the power steering but have heard mixed results in useing it in a sagnaw pump. I know it will work to get you home but don't think it is the way to go for every day use. __________________ WWW.PCRYO.COM Deep Cryogenic Tempering Service Find all my products at www.KICKASSOFFROAD.COM 916-434-6978 Custom Axles built to order. Got 40 spline? I have the hubs, spindles, and axles you need to kickass! Custom Hummer wheels and centers Axle Resplining

01-07-2004, 07:49 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tippy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Member # 10385 Location: Lost somewhere in my mind Posts: 297	I know that when I got a new pump from a local parts dealer they told me they would not warrenty the pump if I used ATF. I think it was a ploy to get me to buy a jug of PS fluid! __________________ My girlfriend said if I spent one more dime on my Jeep she would leave. Man I'm going to miss her!

01-07-2004, 08:55 AM	#8 (permalink)
Howe Performance Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 18491 Location: Lakeside, CA Posts: 56	Never ever ever run ATF in your saginaw pump,sure it works in your everyday car but when you start over working the power steering thats when trouble starts. WE use GM MR GOODWRENCH P/S FLUID P/N # 89020661 or we have our own oil that we made for hi RPM , like offroad racing/ short course where we run the pump 8000 max rpm. __________________ Howe Performance Power Steering, Inc. [url]www.howeperformance.com[/url] [url]www.steeringbox.com[/url] 619-561-7764 phone 619-561-4834 fax

01-06-2004, 03:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
Hickeyjones Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14570 Location: Gray-antsville, Yoo-TAH Posts: 924	You are the man. I am an idiot. I am searchtarded.

01-07-2004, 09:05 AM	#10 (permalink)
FLEXYSAMMY Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9474 Location: Heart at Paragon Adventure Park Posts: 1,964	I have been using ATF in mine but think I am going to switch to Hydrolic (spelling) because it will stay a little cooler. __________________ Former samurai owner........ I AM IN NOW WAY RESPONSIBLE FOR MY SPELLING!!!!!

01-07-2004, 09:22 AM	#11 (permalink)
myeyesore Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14367 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 973	Toyota Specifies ATF for their pumps.

01-07-2004, 10:38 AM	#12 (permalink)
Bobzooki Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9419 Location: Gilpin County, Colorado Posts: 4,923 Blog Entries: 12	Suzuki specs only ATF, also. __________________ 2012 Tahoe 24' Fish-N-Fun Tritoon, w/115hp Merc Tow Rig: The Battlestar Galactica

01-07-2004, 10:59 AM	#13 (permalink)
Howe Performance Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 18491 Location: Lakeside, CA Posts: 56	YES some pumps do use ATF like FORD EATON ,we sometimes use this pump in trophy trucks and we found the best ATF is MOBILE -ONE BUT you should only run the p/s fluid that the manufacture recommends.SAGINAW pumps never uses ATF. And its true ATF will harden the seals & o-rings.I think Toyota & Ford like to sell seal kits. __________________ Howe Performance Power Steering, Inc. [url]www.howeperformance.com[/url] [url]www.steeringbox.com[/url] 619-561-7764 phone 619-561-4834 fax

01-07-2004, 11:45 AM	#15 (permalink)
PTSchram Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Member # 12499 Location: In a Snap-On truck tryin' to make it pay Posts: 10,543	Gee, maybe I shouldn't have used ATF in my Blazer P/S... for 198,000 miles. I'm certain it was a Saginaw pump. I don't know that I have ever used anything other than ATF in the PS pumps on my GM vehicles. The P/U I had before the Blazer, had 98,000 miles when the crankshaft broke, but the P/S pump was still running fine. Obviously, not all have such positive performance. Peace, PT __________________ Wrenchin' to riches! If you want peace, prepare for war.

01-07-2004, 02:09 PM	#16 (permalink)
Islandzuki Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Member # 15343 Location: PARADISE GUAM, USA 13N/144E Posts: 2,616	I just put syn ATF in my pump for the last trail run and the pump seems to run alot smoother..... __________________ DIRT, MUD, ROCKS WHATEVER!!!!

01-07-2004, 08:06 PM	#17 (permalink)
bgreen I'm on Team People Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 9801 Location: Kenai Alaska Posts: 2,347	Ya Im running Dextron 3 atf in my saginaw steering pump for a year now, and its working great. __________________ Project Freak - Resurrection

01-07-2004, 08:13 PM	#18 (permalink)
SlamChops Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Member # 19372 Location: Mobtown, AL Posts: 1,517	the only vehicle i've run into problems with using ATF in place of PS fluid is a 2000 ford taurus. the ATF would just buble up and out every time. every other vehicle i've run across hasn't minded atf at all.

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