I've been using goat milk in the power steering, and goat pee in the brakes, because I read somewhere on the internet that it was ok.

 

I've been using Dex III in my power steering, in everything, for over 20 years. If there is some problem with that, I haven't figured it out yet. I DID recently have a steering gear fail in a new to me Jeep. I think they were using power steering fluid. (over 200K on that one) Another, closer to 300K has had Dex III since 02 with no problems. (Purring sweet, getten over 20 mpg, Castrol 30W, as it doesn't get nutty cold here)

 

In some systems on some vehicles, using the correct fluid is critical.

The power steering on your Cherokee ain't one of them. Dex/Merc is just fine in your power steering.

Works great for many hydraulic systems, actually.

 

Did John Smith get banned after one post? That's gotta be a record. Anyway I have run dex/merc in everything from my power steering to my plow for many miles. Still original equipment still works.

 

Well he did resurrect a 2 year old thread just to make fun of it. So yeah probably banned after one post.

 

I think he was just having fun trolling.

 

I'm planning to drain the hydraulic fluid on my 10 year old log splitter and replace it with Dex/Merc for this season's splitting. Flows more easily and so makes cold-starts easier, plus it protects things well. Or so say a ton of wood splitters who have done so.

 

In 2007 Jeep put out a service bulletin changing the recommend fluid for Cherokees with the AW4 trans to ATF+4. It would most like show up in the Flap's system as the recommended trans fluid. maybe that is why the parts-slinger recommended it for the power steering as well. The Bulletin number for the change is 21-014-07. Should be putting Chrysler MS-5931 or equivalent in the PS system which most off the shelf PS fluids fit the bill. Most (all?) ATFs have friction modifiers which can change the properties of the fluid. I'd stick with regular old PS fluid that fits the bill or run conventional hydraulic fluid which has not friction modifiers.

 

Why don't you rocket scientists just use Dielectric Grease in you power steering pump. Sounds like you are using every thing else but.

 

Well, when you understand what the system is doing, and what its requirements are, you can make intelligent decisions instead of unthinkingly relying on what the manufacturer says.

Now, if you are going to say the manufacturer always knows best, you'd better get that DexMerc out of your transmission and get the ATF+4 in there, right?

 

If it works and works well then do it. Venture forward! Don't be sheep! Run 2 stroke in your diesel! Motor oil in your standard trans! Inject windshield washer fluid pre turbo! Plows on xjs! Turbos on xjs! Turbo plows!

 

There is a certain beauty in this Mark. Some people with the need for it can feel comfortable as they have more sense than to do something different, and this harm's us not at all! (it's fine with me anyway). They get what they want, and we don't need to needlessly spend extra money or have more bottles of something packed with us or stored. A win/win all around!

I have liquid propane in my AC. Dex three in my power steering, no problem with dielectric grease, and I've put regular bearing grease IN my battery terminal connections for nearly a coon's age. Dawn dish soap in the windshield squirter. Straight Castrol 30W, always, (it rarely freezes here) It's totally fine with me if someone prefers a more expensive and troublesome rout. If it makes you happy, do it!

 

How did you get the propane? I assume it is r-290? Did you fill it to half the r12 capacity?

 

Just my 2 cents worth here:

If you can get what the manufacturer recommends, then get it
and don't worry. Move on to other things

If you can't get what the maker recommends, use the next best
thing, but don't imagine you are smarter than the engineers that
designed the Jeep. Shell ATF Dexron III is about all I can get here
in Africa (no one here sells "power steering fluid"), and I can say
it works. I must add that my Jeep has had three steering boxes
that leaked out the Pitman shaft.

 

I'm not agreeing of disagreeing with any of you fine gentlemen. But I do know this when you go your own way and part from what manufactured has suggested, you now become the engineer and your results may vary. There is nothing wrong with this, I do it all the time, with a varying success rate. Most Fluids like engine oil, trans fluid and diff fluids have a change interval for a reason. the fluids don't necessarily break down, but the additive do. ever seen a change interval for power steering fluid? that is because the additive are different and the system doesn't break down fluids like an engine, trans, transfer case or gear box would. Just my 2 cents after inflation. By the way I've been lurking in the forums since I got my xj in February, finally registered a few week ago, and I gotta say this is the most civil thread I've seen when it comes to what to put into your rig.