Manual Power Steering Fluid

[AYM707]

I've got an 1983 FJ45 with stock power steering. Everything is stock.

The power steering always leaks; especially if its just sitting around. I got the PS gearbox re-built, with new seals and replaced all the rubber hoses. That helped it was still leaking.

After shopping around, I managed to find Toyota Manual Power Steering fluid; which really reduced the leakage to a minimum. It was perfect. Since moving to Toronto, I have not been able to find the Toyota Power Steering fluid. Currently using Toyota Automatic Transmission Fluid; but it leaks. I cant find the source / point of the leak, except my frame / wheel hub / axel are always shinning. I've got a bucket / oil rug / cardboard below that's catching the fluid so I know its PS fluid. I think the Toyota ATF (dextron-3) too thin; maybe the manual version is a bit thicker?

Any recommendations for alternative fluids?

 

[charliemeyer007]

Find the leak with dye. Who rebuilt your unit? New seals on worn shafts will still leak, ask me how I know. What about the pump, has it been checked? Scotty Kilmer likes some reseal treatment AT205 I think. I know people that had good luck with Lucas steering stop leak. Personally the correct solution is to fix the problem not apply bandaids.

 

[jayp2]

I've got an 1983 FJ45 with stock power steering. Everything is stock.

The power steering always leaks; especially if its just sitting around. I got the PS gearbox re-built, with new seals and replaced all the rubber hoses. That helped it was still leaking.

After shopping around, I managed to find Toyota Manual Power Steering fluid; which really reduced the leakage to a minimum. It was perfect. Since moving to Toronto, I have not been able to find the Toyota Power Steering fluid. Currently using Toyota Automatic Transmission Fluid; but it leaks. I cant find the source / point of the leak, except my frame / wheel hub / axel are always shinning. I've got a bucket / oil rug / cardboard below that's catching the fluid so I know its PS fluid. I think the Toyota ATF (dextron-3) too thin; maybe the manual version is a bit thicker?

Any recommendations for alternative fluids?

Someone please correct me if I am wrong but I was always told on the older toyota's to use ATF not PS fluid

Something about PS Fluid being bad for seals.....

 

[AYM707]

Find the leak with dye. Who rebuilt your unit? New seals on worn shafts will still leak, ask me how I know. What about the pump, has it been checked? Scotty Kilmer likes some reseal treatment AT205 I think. I know people that had good luck with Lucas steering stop leak. Personally the correct solution is to fix the problem not apply bandaids.

Dye? That's a good idea. I like this; but what dye should I use? What dye is good with oil? Thinking it should be white coloured; cause everything else is black.

The PS gearbox was fixed a while back in Qatar. I think the work was fairly good; ie the leak was minimum / manageable. My problem started when I started to put new top-up fluid and it was bleeding out. Hence, I think I'm using the wrong fluid.

I will try the AT205.

 

[AYM707]

Someone please correct me if I am wrong but I was always told on the older toyota's to use ATF not PS fluid

Something about PS Fluid being bad for seals.....

This may be a dump question...what's the difference with Automatic Transmission Fluid vs Power Steering Fluid? Thought they were the same....dextron-3.

 

[charliemeyer007]

It's UV dye for oil. I think it's green under the UV light. It is not the UV dye for water.

IMHO it should not leak with new seals, so they didn't fix the wear on the seal surface.

Back in the 80's I put on a new rear main seal. My dad, an aviation guy told me it would leak. There was a noticeable worn grove, that didn't look to bad/deep to me - yea it still leaked and it still does. I scored a speedi sleeve on close out from rock auto for a song and several seals. This will fix the leak. The leak at the parking brake drum is cured by using a speedi sleeve or 2 seals, so they ride in new areas.

Amazon.com

 

[AYM707]

It's UV dye for oil. I think it's green under the UV light. It is not the UV dye for water.

IMHO it should not leak with new seals, so they didn't fix the wear on the seal surface.

Back in the 80's I put on a new rear main seal. My dad, an aviation guy told me it would leak. There was a noticeable worn grove, that didn't look to bad/deep to me - yea it still leaked and it still does. I scored a speedi sleeve on close out from rock auto for a song and several seals. This will fix the leak. The leak at the parking brake drum is cured by using a speedi sleeve or 2 seals, so they ride in new areas.

Amazon.com

Thanks.

Just did a search on amazon and bought the UV dye for oil + glasses kit. This is cool!!

 

[SteveH]

The term 'power steering fluid' without a specification attached to it is useless. There are 10-15 different so-called 'power steering fluids' meeting various Honda, Chrysler, and Mercedes specs, among others. There's a special one for Jeep Grand Chimporees whose hydraulic engine fan is driven by the power steering system.

Dexron III is the ATF that Toyota specifically calls out for use in many power steering systems. If it leaks out, it's not the fault of the fluid. Read your owner's manual to learn exactly what is correct for your vehicle.

I can find no reference to 'Toyota Manual Power Steering fluid' - are you sure this is a thing? It's is oxymoronically named, if so!

 

[AYM707]

The term 'power steering fluid' without a specification attached to it is useless. There are 10-15 different so-called 'power steering fluids' meeting various Honda, Chrysler, and Mercedes specs, among others. There's a special one for Jeep Grand Chimporees whose hydraulic engine fan is driven by the power steering system.

Dexron III is the ATF that Toyota specifically calls out for use in many power steering systems. If it leaks out, it's not the fault of the fluid. Read your owner's manual to learn exactly what is correct for your vehicle.

I can find no reference to 'Toyota Manual Power Steering fluid' - are you sure this is a thing? It's is oxymoronically named, if so!

Maybe I am getting confused on the wordings...but it was definitely a Toyota manual transmission fluid. Once in Toronto, I initially used Prestone AS260; which pissed out the next few days. Then purchased Toyota Dexron-3 (ATF); which takes longer to to drain out; but definitely over a period of time. Looks like my thoughts on fluid / viscosity are not valid.

I've ordered an UV kit+dye, and will help me search for the leak; then will try the plug it using Scotty's AT205 and see if there's any difference. Last action would be to open the gear box / replace seals. But that would be beyond my expertise; and would need to outsource that.

Is there anyone willing to do that for me?

 

[charliemeyer007]

IMHO only replacing seals will not fix the leak. A new shaft or a bushing/sleeve needs to be installed so the seal has a good place to seal on.

 

[South Texas 97]

Look around for a power steering rebuild shop - I found one in Houston, TX and the price was reasonable - given the specialized tools I would have needed. Try your favorite search engine with "Toronto power steering rebuild" and then ask around.

 

[1MOA]

I will almost guarantee your PS shaft is worn to the point it will no longer seal at all. You can rebuild it all you want but if the shaft is torn up or worn down it will not make any difference.