Was told by the NAPA counter fellow that Dodges used ATF+4 for power steering gear. FSM specifies "Mopar" fluid and doesn't give a spec other than that. It specifically mentions NOT to use ATF, but I assume +4 wasn't around in 01?

The fluid that's in there currently is red (brownish, really) like ATF...

Thanks,
C

 

My 06 uses ATF+4 in the power steering,

 

The correct fluid specd for the first gen and second gen Dodge trucks(up to and including the 02 MY) is power steering fluid. The 03 MY trucks were the first to become factory filled with ATF 4 fluid.

 

I would recommend a full synthetic power steering fluid for the second gen trucks, it makes a huge difference in the cold.

 

I second this advice. Synthetic PS fluid should almost be mandatory. The power steering pump is doing more than you think.

 

right on. Synth p/s fluid it is. They did have that in stock on the shelves down there. I'll go return the atf and a couple of miscellaneous parts and pick up a qt or two of synth (figure it'd be good to flush it while I'm fiddling about in there.

 

Its not real easy to flush them but what you can do which works very well is buy one of those cheap hand pumps ($5-$10) with a longer suction hose on it. Then get that hose down deep in the pump sump and you should be able to suck out a full pint or so. Then refill with new fluid, start it up and drive it for a few minutes while turning the wheel back and forth, and then pump everything back out again. Then refill with the rest of the new fluid and you should be good.

 

svc manual says disconnect the return, fill and crank the steering back and forth, refill, crank some more, refill and then fire it up, refill, rinse, repeat.

 

The first time I also did it the way Katoom mentioned on my 2001 then every year after I would vacuum out the reservoir making sure to get as much as possible, then refill, it takes exactly 1 pint.

 

Small town parts store - no synthetic p/s fluid. And yet another person said to use ATF +4. Am I going to hurt anything if there's ALREADY ATF in there? I think i mentioned what flowed out when i pulled my steering gear was red like atf.

 

Maybe I should have pointed out that I think all, if not most, AFT+4 is a group III base. Meaning synthetic. Somewhere I read that the Chrysler AFT+4 is a blend but that others like Valvoline AFT+4 is full synthetic. If you dont want to pay the full price for the quart of name brand stuff then its understood that NAPA's label oil is relabeled Valvoline.

 

OK, so I know asking about lubricants is tantamount to starting a firefight in just about any forum, but here goes.

Am I going to HURT anything by using ATF+4 in my power steering pump? Is there a FUNCTIONAL difference? I put about a half quart of regular PS fluid in before i headed up here because i had a hellish growl happening (and had no idea what was in it already). Am I going to suffer ill effects by mixing PS fluid and ATF if that's what's already in there?

Fire at will,
Charlie

 

Did some reading and decided to stop agonizing and just drive the sucker. Most of what I came across said yes, you can mix it, no, it doesn't make much difference and yes, Chrysler puts ATF+4 in whenever they do steering work at the ***********, EVEN with older trucks.

So when I decide it's time to add a filter to the system, I'll flush and go with ATF +4 since it's much easier to find synthetic. In order to get it down to its appointment with the alignment shop, I may have to resort to mixing with regular ole Power Steering fluid.

Screw it!

 

Check your Dodge Service Bulletins if you have access. I believe a bulletin came out recommending to replace the regular power steering fluid with ATF +4 on most of the older vehicles. I have never done that, and have always been more comfortable using the fluid the vehicle was designed for, but I think Dodge did give it the OK.

 

As much as these forums can comfort ones concerns, they can also lead to anxiety. Just get yourself a quart of AFT+4. Suck out the pump and fill it up. In another 50k miles, if you happen to remember, you can do it again. But in reality you'll never touch it again because the PS system is the least maintained part of any vehicle. Most people fail to realize that its even there until it starts making noises.