Power Steering Squeal

[GETBENT]

These cold nights are really making my ps pump whine in the mornings, I checked the fluid level and its good, Someone told me that I should put ATF in it instead of Power Steering fluid. Would it help if I did that?

 

[Hickey]

Don't put ATF in there. It whines because the fluid is cold and thick. It still works okay though, right? You might want to flush it out and put new fluid in there.

 

[GETBENT]

Don't put ATF in there. It whines because the fluid is cold and thick. It still works okay though, right? You might want to flush it out and put new fluid in there.

yea, it still works great but it is insanely loud and it takes about 3 minutes to stop. I just can't help but think that if its making such a bad noise, then its gotta be doing harm to the pump right? because its so cold and thick, it might not be pumping the right amount through and then it would be running dry. I don't know, it just seems like it

 

[Hickey]

yea, it still works great but it is insanely loud and it takes about 3 minutes to stop. I just can't help but think that if its making such a bad noise, then its gotta be doing harm to the pump right? because its so cold and thick, it might not be pumping the right amount through and then it would be running dry. I don't know, it just seems like it

Sounds like a belt to me then. Check for tension. Do you have any "Custom" mounts or pully's?

 

[GETBENT]

Sounds like a belt to me then. Check for tension. Do you have any "Custom" mounts or pully's?

no sir, its definetly not a belt, I know the difference in sound and this just sounds like its low on ps fluid but its not. My little bro has the same motor and pump and everything and his does the same. It never did it untill it started getting real cold at night.

 

[troutbum]

bypass

The squeal is probably the bypass valve. You can shim the bypass spring which in turn ups the pressure to the box as well.

 

[Hickey]

Maybe the pully is slipping on the shaft? Kurt had that problem. Try some of that PS sealant stuff.

 

[Hickey]

The squeal is probably the bypass valve. You can shim the bypass spring which in turn ups the pressure to the box as well.

http://www.rivercityrockcrawlers.com/TechReports/steering/steeringupgrade.html

 

[GETBENT]

Wow!! I had no idea all those parts were in the pump! Well thanks for all your suggestions, I'll have to try and fix it. Just out of curiosity, why is it not good to put ATF in? I've heard of so many people doing it, are they just dumb?

 

[Hickey]

I can't remember the specifics right now. Give me some time.
Some Manufacturers do use ATF in there pumps though, but they are designed for it.

 

[Hickey]

Wow!! I had no idea all those parts were in the pump! Well thanks for all your suggestions, I'll have to try and fix it. Just out of curiosity, why is it not good to put ATF in? I've heard of so many people doing it, are they just dumb?

Here..
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=209451
Some psycho who lives and breathes steering tech will be sure to answer soon.

 

[I Lean]

Wow!! I had no idea all those parts were in the pump! Well thanks for all your suggestions, I'll have to try and fix it. Just out of curiosity, why is it not good to put ATF in? I've heard of so many people doing it, are they just dumb?

On a Toyota, use ATF. That's what the factory specs, plus power steering fluid is nasty.

 

[Hickey]

On a Toyota, use ATF. That's what the factory specs, plus power steering fluid is nasty.

good thing I added that part about some manufacturers using ATF then. Or my sig would have been true again..

 

[GETBENT]

On a Toyota, use ATF. That's what the factory specs, plus power steering fluid is nasty.

Thanks carl, Imagine that, I have a Toyota so I better switch to ATF!!
You suck Hickey!! thanks anyway
J/K dude.

 

[Hickey]

Thanks carl, Imagine that, I have a Toyota so I better switch to ATF!!
You suck Hickey!! thanks anyway
J/K dude.

got it.
Originally posted by TheLakeRat
PS fluid is basicly hydraulic fluid. Some are different than others. most are petro based but GM fluid is mineral oil based and seems to work a little better.
ATF is hydralic fluid with several additives. anti foaming, friction inhibitors, detergents, etc...
Both will work in your power steering box but the problem is that with ATF something in the additives is very prone to hardening the rubber o-rings and seals in the box.
Now all saginaw boxes built after around the 97 mark don't use rubber orings and seals so that you can use ATF with no troubles.

Hope this was what you were looking for.

 

[GETBENT]

You suck Hickey!!

I take it back, I take it back!!

thanks man, I love learning new things like that

 

[Hickey]

I take it back, I take it back!!

thanks man, I love learning new things like that

Me too.

 

[SnwMnkys]

ATF is prone to hardening Seals and Orings in a power steering box. There arent any Orings and seals in a Automatic Transmission?