Power Steering Fluid Question? (2 Viewers)

[Boston Mangler]

FSM says Dexron III

Search is show various opinions, some posts years and years old.

Seen @bloc and I think some others saying it’s backwards compatible. So many options. Head hurts.

What’s the current consensus on WHAT FLUID??

System will be getting an entire flush/replacement

Thanks

 

[32cls6speedmt]

 

[TLC2013]

Can't necessarily comment on what the consensus is for the PS fluid. But i like to swap out the fluids for full synthetics (diffs,tranny, PS). For the PS I flushed out what looked like original fluid at 85,000 miles when I picked up my 200 and went with full synthetic Redline D4. Old fluid was dark and nasty looking after 6 years of use. Now 5 years later I am now at 140k and the Redline D4 fluid still looks nice and cherry red, basically new. Doesn't look any worse for the wear.

 

[prharper]

I've done a few times on my 2018 LC. Use Mobile 1 ATF. drain, fill, drain, fill. On jack stands. 3 full turns. Easy

 

[sdnative]

I basically followed the procedure shown in posts 36 & 38 here.

Scored 2011 LC W/79K OMG CLEAN (2012 missing link)

Very good info in this thread. Thanks!

forum.ih8mud.com

I don't remember this being the exact thread I referenced, but the procedure looks the same.

I used the Toyota 00718-ATF00 fluid shown above

 

[Boston Mangler]

I basically followed the procedure shown in posts 36 & 38 here.

Scored 2011 LC W/79K OMG CLEAN (2012 missing link)

Very good info in this thread. Thanks!

forum.ih8mud.com

I don't remember this being the exact thread I referenced, but the procedure looks the same.

I used the Toyota 00718-ATF00 fluid shown above

Thanks man. It wouldn’t show up on Amazon until I used that part #

All good

Thanks

 

[sdnative]

Not sure how much it is on Amazon, but you can get it locally at Norm Reeves for ~$11 / qt (order online and pick up)

 

[gasman4u]

I use Idemitsu PSF. Per CCN (all hail his name), that's what he says it comes filled with from the factory. I don't know if it's sythetic or not, but can say that it looks about the same as what comes out (aside from a more honey vs. syrup COLOR) - consistency is the same.

I haven't been in a Napa that didn't have it in stock. I'm a BIG fan of HPL/Amsoil, but can say the availability and known compatability with itself has lead me to just keep it simple.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Not sure how much it is on Amazon, but you can get it locally at Norm Reeves for ~$11 / qt (order online and pick up)

Damn…. It’s half the price locally…. That’s bizarre. I’m lazy so perfectly fine sometimes paying a few bucks more for Amazon, but this will be a dealer trip!

Thanks for the info

 

[sdnative]

Damn…. It’s half the price locally…. That’s bizarre. I’m lazy so perfectly find sometimes paying a few bucks more for Amazon, but this will be a dealer trip!

Thanks for the info

I found that you have to order online for that pricing. They won't honor that price if you try to order in person (at least they didn't for me). In store and online sales are a different entity apparently. I just ordered online then picked up an hour later. May want to call first to make sure they actually have them in stock.

 

[prharper]

I found that you have to order online for that pricing. They won't honor that price if you try to order in person (at least they didn't for me). In store and online sales are a different entity apparently. I just ordered online then picked up an hour later. May want to call first to make sure they actually have them in stock.

That's been my experience as well (Koon's Tysons Corner, VA).

 

[bloc]

View attachment 3813175

View attachment 3813176

Is this stuff red or gold like the factory fill?

 

[sdnative]

Is this stuff red or gold like the factory fill?

red

 

[linuxgod]

The FSM says to use ATF. I was thinking about it and I suspect the fluid doesn’t really matter so long as it’s not hygroscopic and can mix ok with any existing fluid. The fluid isn’t really lubricating anything to my knowledge it’s just used to apply pressure to turn the tie rods. You could probably purge the system and refill with motor oil and it would work ok

 

[32cls6speedmt]

My last ps flush I had purchased 2 quarts atf t-iv. @bloc had posted that is what the fsm recommends. Ccn did my ps flush. He used it without issue.

I noticed that under maintenance section of the Toyota dealership they had specific power steering fluid. So I purchased for the next flush.

 

[gasman4u]

My last ps flush I had purchased 2 quarts atf t-iv. @bloc had posted that is what the fsm recommends. Ccn did my ps flush. He used it without issue.

I noticed that under maintenance section of the Toyota dealership they had specific power steering fluid. So I purchased for the next flush.

Post what the new PSF looks like from Toyota.

 

[GrouchyTech]

The FSM says to use ATF. I was thinking about it and I suspect the fluid doesn’t really matter so long as it’s not hygroscopic and can mix ok with any existing fluid. The fluid isn’t really lubricating anything to my knowledge it’s just used to apply pressure to turn the tie rods. You could probably purge the system and refill with motor oil and it would work ok

It does lubricate the pump internals to an extent (but not the bearings, which will typically fail before the pump internals on a well maintained system. Also, the input shaft and other parts of the rack.

Here is my opinion:

As long as the fluid meets the standards that Toyota specifies, you’ll be just fine. I think the main concern is seal and hose compatibility. You can put synthetic magic fairy fluid in it or just standard TOYOTA ATF fluid—it really doesn’t matter a damn bit. I think the main concern is seal and hose compatibility.
As long as you replace the fluid at regular intervals, the system should last a long time.

In addition to keeping the fluid in decent shape, the biggest piece of advice I can give is to regularly check those steering rack boots and replace them the moment you see a puncture/tear. They’re very cheap and easily replaceable parts keeping a very expensive and relatively difficult to replace part alive.

 

[Boston Mangler]

In addition to keeping the fluid in decent shape, the biggest piece of advice I can give is to regularly check those steering rack boots and replace them the moment you see a puncture/tear. They’re very cheap and easily replaceable parts keeping a very expensive and relatively difficult to replace part alive.

Interesting, was not familiar with this and will do some more digging about it

Thanks

 

[DrivenLyfe]

I've done a few times on my 2018 LC. Use Mobile 1 ATF. drain, fill, drain, fill. On jack stands. 3 full turns. Easy

What I run and have done too

 

[gasman4u]

@Boston Mangler It took a while, but I found the thread where there's quite a bit of back and forth on options/opinions/etc.

Power Steering Fluid

14 LC going to be doing my 120k service very soon. Should I do a power steering fluid change? It has never been done. If so, is it okay to use the recommended Toyota ATF Dex II or III and just do the remove / replace of the reservoir, multiple times? I wasn’t sure if mixing fluids was...

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