power steering fluid

[Ruby Red]

i need to add some power steering fluid -- all the owners manual says is use synthetic fluid -- is that what dextron III is ? Cheers Michael

 

[Vettefan87]

That is what I use and I have had no problems with it. I checked my power sterring fluid reservoir and it is very dirty. How can you flush the power sterring system on my 87? Thanks


Justin

 

[Rabbit]

That is what I use and I have had no problems with it. I checked my power sterring fluid reservoir and it is very dirty. How can you flush the power sterring system on my 87? Thanks


Justin

Some people syphon it out with a turkey baster & replacw with fresh fluid. Takes about 3 or 4 shots, but I hear it works pretty good.

 

[c4cruiser]

Teh turkey baster method is the easiest to do without removing a hose and let the engine pump the old fluid out. Just suck out the fluid from the reservoir and refill with new. Then drive around the block and repeat. After 3 or 4 times that should be enough to completely flush out all of the old fluid.

You could remove one of the return hoses and let the engine idle, but you need to have somebody to help keep the reservoir full with fresh fluid. It's a messy way but quick.

 

[Vettefan87]

I just went to pick up the Turkey thingy, what is the best power sterring fluid to put back just Dexron III? Thanks



Justin

 

[Ruby Red]

Justin sorry to have mislead you on this when i was in the garage looking for power steering fluid i didnt have my glasses on -- Dexron III is automatic transmission fluid this is not the correct fluid -- i discoverd this yesterday when i had the glasses on -- the book calls for an all synthetic fluid -- u can get it at any auto parts store -- in the future i promise not to wonder around in the garage unsupervised with out my glasses on -- cheers michael

 

[c4cruiser]

I just went to pick up the Turkey thingy, what is the best power sterring fluid to put back just Dexron III? Thanks



Justin

Red LIne has a synthetic power steering fluid that is supposed to be very good. If you do any track days or autocross, this would be a good choice. GM also has a "cold weather" power steering fluid that is supposed to be better for cold climates.

 

[Vettefan87]

Ok guys, after work i drove to Walmart to get some oil and to get power steering fluid. Other then Red Line, who makes syntetic power steering fluid and where can i get it? Thanks



Justin

 

[eptaylor]

Valvoline works

Ok guys, after work i drove to Walmart to get some oil and to get power steering fluid. Other then Red Line, who makes syntetic power steering fluid and where can i get it? Thanks



Justin

I use Valvoline SynPower synthetic blend and it seems to be ok. Available lots of places and I think Wal-Mart too.

 

[XS650]

Red LIne has a synthetic power steering fluid that is supposed to be very good.

I checked with Redline a couple of months ago when I was changing my fluid. The normal Redline PS fluid doesn;t meet the GM spec for Corvettes (at least not my 96). Dave @ Redline strongly recommended Redline D4 AT fluid, even though I told him I already had the Redline PS fluid.

I'm presently using the Redline PS fluid with no problems, but only because I plan to have the PS off the car and change the fluid in amonth or so. I'm using the Redline PS fluid I already had as an expensive flush.

BTW, it's my fault not Redline's. My 96 Vette owners manual gives a GM spec for the PS fluid and Redline PS fluid does not claim to meet it. I should have read the PS fluid container then asked Redline what to use before I bought the fluid.

 

[Hib Halverson]

i need to add some power steering fluid -- all the owners manual says is use synthetic fluid -- is that what dextron III is ? Cheers Michael

Automatic transmission fluids which meet the Dexron IIE or III specification are NOT synthetic unless their containers specificly state they are. The Dexron IIE ATF used as factory-fill in 93 C4 automatic transmissions is not synthetic.

While ATF can be used in some older power steering systems, I'd not recommend any ATF in a power steering system unless it's synthetic and even then, a synthetic ATF is not the correct lubricant.

The best choice for power steering systems in a C4 is Red Line Synthetic Power Steering Fluid. A good choice is the General Motors, factory-fill power steering fluid.

It was said elsewhere in this thread that Dave Granquist at Red Line actually did not recommend Red Line Power Steering Fluid for use in a Power Steering System and, in lieu of that, suggested Red Line D4 ATF. My guess is Dave may have misunderstood the question because, even GM, does not suggest ATF for use in Power Steering Systems for MY93. GM recommends (and I quote from the MY93 service manual) "GM Synthetic Power Steering Fluid (GM PN 12345867 32oz or PN 12345866 16 oz." and that's the only choice. Now, that was the recommendation 11 years ago. Today, it's PN 1052884.

If it were me and I was going to use a GM fluid rather than Red Line, I'd use the current recommended fluid rather than the one suggested for MY93.

Lastly, I would NOT use a organic ATF as a substitute for Synthetic Power Steering Fluid. Organic ATF does not offer enough high-temperature lubrication. With C4, this is an important issue because of the documented durability problems these cars' power steering pumps can experience. You need the best lubricant you can get, IMO. If you autocross or road race, not only do you need the best fluid, but if you don't have one, you need a cooler and you need to change the power steering fluid occasionally.