smokinram99

how many quarts of oil? w this cold my steering feels hard to steer untill you drive a couple of miles, I have never change the oil in it so i wanna try synthetic, but I suck out it from the reservoir/pump....it a good idea??!

rob

Danderson

The TDR forum suggested an easy way to changeout your fluid. Get a turkey baster and suck out all you can on five successive events,topping the fluid with Valvoline synthetic ps fluid each time. Drive the vehicle between suckouts a few days. After five or six of these procedures it's supposed to remove 90% of the old fluid. Valvoline synthetic seemed to help my '99. Joe Donnelly was the author I believe. Pretty sharp guy.

Number47

we changed all our trucks/tractors/farm equipment to motor oil and never have had an issue. we has noticed better steering ability in cold weather and longer lasting parts/seals

gwhammy

I changed mine and another truck to John Deere Hy-Trans. Cold noise went away but it didn't make it turn any better.

smokinram99

thanks at all guys! can I use ATF?
what can make my steering hard on cold wheather?

RowJ

Never saw that article but I did this after first year I had my CTD. Fluid was black and smelly. Took 3 monhs, recycling reservoir fluid once a week, to get fluid back to clear. I now do this procedure (one change out) first of every month as preventative scheduled MX. Takes about 12 oz to recycle reservior fluid each time and works well.
4X4's with oversized tires are very hard on PS pumps/fluid, IMO.

Problem is, Valvoline Synthetic PS Fluid is no longer available. They changed the bottle and no longer make a synthetic and a non synthetic. (At least can't find it anywhere around here or in the Dallas area). This being said, the PS fluid in the new Valvoline, white bottle that no longer says 'synthetic', seems to work ok.

'SmokinRam' - DO NOT USE ATF. Our CTD's are the one vehicle I have owned that clearly advises against it....due, I believe, to the hydro boost brake system assist provided by the power steering pump.

RJ

Fueling around

The infamous Valvoline synthetic is/was a conventional base stock with synthetic additives. Simply PS fluid with conditioners.
I use plain PS fluid (around $12 a gallon) and a bottle of Lubegard PS additive. Works much better than the Valvoline stuff for my cold weather buzz.
I think the hydroboost system is hard on the PS fluid. I have to refresh it every couple years or the cold buzz returns.

The suction gun and re-fill works, but requires many flush & fill cycles.

Local shop showed me a better method, but it requires some extra steps.

Remove return line from reservoir and drain everything you can. Plug the reservoir port and put the return line in a collection can. Start truck and run in fresh as the old is pumped out. They use about 2 quarts to flush.

infidel

Valvoline synthetic is no longer available.
I normally use LubeGard if the old fluid looks good but if it needs to be completely changed out use Royal Purple.

smokinram99

many thanks all guys! i have checked my PS oil and it's black/dark orange and it has a very bad odor... I'll try to suck out much possible oil and refill untill clears...i should have a bottle of lubegard ps additive

rob

NO ATF at all, thanks RJ

MrKen

use only the Roal Purple and no LubeGard? or RP with LG?

smokinram99

standard PS oil + a bottle of lubegard... or if I find the RP max EZ i'll use it only

Geico266

The easiest way to change the PS fluid is to get a 3/8" hose barb fitting, 2 ea. 1/2" hose clamps, 6' of 3/8" clear vinyl tubing. All available at the hardware store.

Cut the return line to your PS pump at the top of the curve. Install the 3/8" hose barb in the supply side of the return line and raise the other return line to keep fluid from coming out. Run the vinyl hose from the hose barb to a pan and secure it with a clamp or it will fly all over.

Start the truck and let the fluid run out. You can have someone add fluid to flush, but this is a waste of time & fluid. Disconnect the temp vinyl hose line. Fill with new fluid. Start the truck and cycle the truck's steering by driving it for a few blocks. It may take a while for the PS to come back so be careful about steering and stopping.

Repeat twice and return system to normal operation including the 2 hose clamps installed on the hose barb fitting. Top off reservoir in a day or two after all bubbles are gone.

You can buy Red Line Synthetic PS Fluid at Amazon.com. 2 Qts is plenty.

Marine

I did mine for the second time when I installed the hyd winch. I used Amsoil PS fluid, and I think that it is better than when I put the syn Valvoline oil on there 5 yrs ago.
It is a pain in the butt to do...