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DISCUSSION => General Topics => Topic started by: B318M42W on November 08, 2009, 12:09:54 AM

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: B318M42W on November 08, 2009, 12:09:54 AM

I need to add some fluid in the P/S tank, and I don't know what to add... it says ATF fluid only. right, but what grade/standard? and is it the same thing for my orange tagged tranny?

thanks!

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: 1991 E30 M42 on November 08, 2009, 01:13:37 AM

The cheapest shit you can get because it's going to leak anyway

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: quinn11m20 on November 08, 2009, 05:32:06 AM

True.

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: Jorgeconrico on November 08, 2009, 06:10:25 AM

Dextron/Mercon III I think, or at least that's what I had in mine. I removed the power steering and I will never go back, but that's just me. As for the tranny I'm running Redline MTL, but I think I'm supposed to be running ATF. I don't care because it runs/ shifts fine, but I've heard in cold weather the shifts aren't as smooth. I don't drive my car in the winter so it doesn't matter.

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: B318M42W on November 08, 2009, 09:31:42 AM

the rack was changed not tooooo long ago (maybe 1 year or 2) and it's one of the pressure lines that's starting to leak. but i don't actually care much about p/s... i'm more concerned about the clutch components

and thanks for the reply's!

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: quinn11m20 on November 08, 2009, 10:02:01 AM

Clutch components? what?

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: B318M42W on November 08, 2009, 12:43:58 PM

i thought that the hydraulic stuff (master & slave) cylinders for shifting shared the same fill reservoir.

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: quinn11m20 on November 08, 2009, 12:51:09 PM

Yeah. But you made it sound like it was attached to the power steering reservior. They share the same Brake fluid reservior. Cool?

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: B318M42W on November 08, 2009, 01:12:20 PM

awww   ok right   so p/s is by itself?

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: quinn11m20 on November 08, 2009, 01:16:15 PM

Yup. completely atonomous.

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: B318M42W on November 08, 2009, 01:21:45 PM

great thanks!  so regular dextron III it will be

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: quinn11m20 on November 08, 2009, 01:24:35 PM

Yup. you got it. I also add a Lucas power steering additive. Its supposed to help freshen up the seals and stuff. It kinda slows down the eventual leak. I have replaced the reservior/filter and hoses with the seals and almost everything except the rack and it still leaks. Its inevitable.

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: B318M42W on November 09, 2009, 10:16:13 AM

i guess that the only way to get arround p/s leaking is to convert it manual steering.

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: monty23psk on November 09, 2009, 12:37:49 PM

Or fix leaking. Replace either hoses or PS rack. Those are the only places it will leak from.

Did you replace crush washers when you replaced hoses. Also if you have the car clean underneath, you just need to raise car on jacks and turn wheel many times but you should see leak. Also check where the drops are hitting the floor, then go up to search.

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: Choking Hazard on November 14, 2009, 05:19:04 PM

I run pure transmission stop leak.

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: jgraves on November 14, 2009, 05:54:41 PM

I got so frustrated with my power steering pump leaking and whining so much until I replaced it and all the hoses with a new one back in May.  I haven't had any leaks or whining since.  It was so bad that I couldn't drive anywhere without having a quart of power steering fluid behind the driver's seat.  Plus my wife was ashamed to ride with me in it, because it was so loud and annoying.

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: Choking Hazard on November 17, 2009, 09:21:05 PM

Yeah, my car is up on 'stands now, halfway through a Z-3 steering rack install.  I also had to face the inevitable.  Which is why I'm getting another beer and surfing the forums.  It is inevitable that I will procrastinate.

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: AutoXSS on November 18, 2009, 05:57:35 PM

are any of u guys using sinthetic? my Camaro used to whine alot(especially after autoX or track events), I switched to sythetic and it quit immediately quit, usually lasting a couple of summer months of abuse. I use a turkey baster to suck up the fluid and simply add the synthetic back. After a quick spin, I do it again to get more of the old fluid out. I'm new to BMW, any problems doing this to my E36 318i?

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: Choking Hazard on November 18, 2009, 07:47:26 PM

Does a Camaro uses ATF in the PS system like a BMW?  I think it should be OK, but it might be more prone to leaking.

Title: Power steering fluid... which one?
Post by: AutoXSS on November 18, 2009, 10:52:36 PM

just used chevron synthetic PS fluid.