97 xj 4.0 250000 on the clock. i need to change the powersteering fluid. and my question is. is there any reason i can not use atf instead of pwrsteering fluid?

 

There really shouldn't be a poblem. ATF+4 (mopar fluid) won't hurt the seals or the bearing. But it up to you. What do you use in there now?

 

the original powersteering fluid. it now looks like mud so i need to get it changed. but i get dex/merc 3 from work for free. and i dont want to pay 5 bucks a bottle to change it till it is clean.

 

Dec/mec is GM and ford fluid so I'm not sure how it will act. I always used mopar. If your not sure I would say just put regular PS fluid in it.

 

anyone else have an opinion on this

 

Do not use aft fluid, it will wear out the pump and deteriorate the hoses over time.

The system is basically a hydraulic pump, and hydraulic actuators connected via rubber hoses.

I used Castrol "Agri" oil in my power steering with no problems.

Basically it is a high temperature, high stabillity, high lubricity hydraulic oil used in farm machinery - and nobody abuses maintenence schedules like a farmer!

Over here is is £15 a 5 litre can (a bit over 1 gallon) , as opposed to £60 / litre ( about a quart) charged by Chrysler.


When you put it in, it will foam and make a racket until the air has worked its way out of the system. Just keep adding the oil and stopping the engine to let it settle, then repeat untilall the air has purged, then operate the steering, to get the rest of the air out, and keep topping it up. whole purging processshould take about half an hour.

Been working fine for a year now, but the pesky clockspring has just failed

Bloody Jeeps,I'im gettin a vintage Land Rover next ! , but only 'cause I cant afford a LandCruiser Amazon !

 

Funny, in the States we use Dextron trans fluid, like you use Agri Oil...... That said, for a Pump with some miles on it, the Trans fluid wont hurt a thing. That said you will probably need to change it twice, and the Trans fluid is a pretty good cleaner. Its going to flush additional crap out of the system once you install it.
For what its worth, all 18 wheel trucks use Trans fluid in the power steering.

Ron

 

Note: ATF fluid IS hydraulic fluid. The transmission after all is also basically a hydraulic motor for tuning the wheels. JEEP XJs are rated to use Dextron III tans fluid OR mopar fluid per the manual. The GM/Ford products are listed first. So why would you use the Mopar labeled substitute.

 

Except Volvo...LOL, but your right on the money with the advice.