if you put PS fluid in your power steering...

[broken240sx]

quick fix...tried searching for this but the info that I got was that the pump/rack are probably already ruined:madfawk: , not so

jackup front
disconnect 2 12mm power steering lines that go into the rack (hard lines)
let it drain, turn wheel all the way left and right (fluind will squirt!)
fill resevior with ATF, let it drain, play with wheel
loosen belt, add more ATF, turn pump by hand

close/tighten everything, top off with ATF

My steering was loud, and barely felt powered @ low speed because I put power steering fluid:bash: when I swapped the SR.... this fixed it 100%, no new parts:fruit:

[projectRDM]

Not really, the OE parts aren't 'ruined' by running PS fluid temporarily. It's the people who've used it since the car was new that have problems, a little bit for a short time is fine.

[burgy240]

Wait so what fluid do you use then if not Power steering fluid??

[trsilvias13]

Read first post It say ATF no need to use the search button but actually reading the post.

Been a member before me and did not know this? I am not being a jerk, but just asking what do you run?

[projectRDM]

Owners manual and FSM both tell you to run to Mercon/Dexron ATF.

[240-Trevor]

Why can't you use power steering fluid? I mean its designed for power steering and you are putting It In a power steering system aren't you? Whats so bad about It?

[FRpilot]

i just flush my ps system because it was leaking and my friend gave me some ps fluid to top it off. i used atf before but it got mixed and i searched that said ps fluid will fuck up your rack.

easier way imo, is to take off the return line on the reservior and let the fluid drain into a bucket or jar. no need to go underneath the car and deal with those hardline fittings. i didnt fill reseriovr with fluid all the way to flush out because i didnt have that much left in my garage, just added a little bit. i think i should flush again.

[sw20>>s14]

Why can't you use power steering fluid? I mean its designed for power steering and you are putting It In a power steering system aren't you? Whats so bad about It?
read up a little and youll find out why...nissan for some odd reason or another designed the PS system to run on automatic transmission fluid...as stated above, using PS fluid in your system for a prolonged period of time will ruin your rack and bearings...

[vsp3c]

so... how long would you consider a "prolonged period of time"? a month? a couple of months? a year? :bite:

after my car has been running for a while (the engine temp stays normal though) there is a quite loud whining down sound from the engine bay when i brake at slower speeds (under 20mph?). do you think it's from my ps system?

[Rittmeister]

How about this: I installed a rebuilt rack about six months ago. The remanufacturer actually specified regular power steering fluid and specifically stated that using ATF would void the warranty because of the seals they use in the rebuilding process. I even called to confirm, and made it clear that Nissan specifies ATF, and they said "yeah, we know, we get that question a lot, use PS fluid and NOT ATF."

Opinions?

[kandyflip445]

Um. If they specifically said that then why wouldn't you listen to them, the people that rebuilt it, and listen to us?

[240-Trevor]

I just flushed mine and threw some prestone ATF In, It does feel smoother at idle and It seems to react quicker to my steering so I guess ATF is the way to go when It comes to original Nissan Racks.

[Anto]

Synthetic Mercon V http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/6679/emthupuh0.gif

[drifter808]

i had plenty problems running PS fluid. It has a lower boiling point so it would always over flow and get all over the place. Put in ATF and problems went away.

[L8-apexx]

yeah i have a rebuilt rack as well, and i put in Syn ATF fluid, and now its about a week later and it almost sounds like my ps pump is going bad.....wtf?

[1Via!]

The hydraulic properties of ATF are something that most people dont think about, its great stuff. Its good shit.
Using PS fluid instead of ATF is like using water in a recipe that calls for cream. Dont work no good.

[projectRDM]

I typed a nice writeup on the benefits and reasons for using ATF in the PS system not long ago, but I guess no one bothered to do a little research and just decided ask the same random questions again.

As for the usage of ATF, most Japanese manafacturers specify it in their cars, my LS400 uses ATF also, regular PS fluid clogs up the rack filter which is a very common problem on most Toyota/Lexus products.

[g6civcx]

Russ, how do you like the LS400? I'm considering switching to the Toyota. I'm looking at the 400 and 430. Thanks.

[projectRDM]

When it runs again I'll tell you.

[burgy240]

R240NA---Thank you, I had read a number of threads and got different responses. Now I will be using Mercon/Dexron ATF.