can I use atf in power steering?

[TXsizeK5]

i heard somewhere that you can use ATF if i don't have power steering fluids. I bought some atf with that stopleak in it. Is it ok to put in the pwr steering, or no?

[jerryg79]

i used it all the time when my power steering was leaking alot, i think it is still in there not that i changed the hose.

Pump still works fine......knock on wood

[robertf03]

yes, but not if you are running a ram assist

[TXsizeK5]

yes I am running hydro-assist. so then ATF is a no-no and I gotta stick with pwrsteering fluid?

[robertf03]

Originally posted by TXsizeK5
yes I am running hydro-assist. so then ATF is a no-no and I gotta stick with pwrsteering fluid?

hey chief, power steering = hydraulic assist, and I've ran ATF in all my vehicles for ps fluid.

if you mean hydraulic ram assist, you have to use powersteering fluid or the ram will leak.

[TXsizeK5]

if you want to get all technical and ****. yes i have hydraulic ram assist

[chevsu]

we run ATF on alot of hydraulic stuff with rams and motors and never had a problem. isn't ATF like a hydraulic oil anyways.

[AgDieseler]

ATF has about a million conditioners and antifoaming agents in it. Sound like shampoo, right? It will work in a pinch (like on the trail), but good power steering fluid is ideal given its expansion rate. Hydraulic fluid is easier on seals, and is more resistant to compression than ATF.

[eight]

So hydraulic fluid is best if you've got assist? In my normal power steering systems I've used power steering fluid, ATF, 30 wt, and 15-40 to name a few and never had a problem. The motor oil was a trick my grandpa showed me, it stays in longer in all those leaky fords.

[TXsizeK5]

that's good to know. thanks dieselboy.