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I put the wrong powersteering fluid in a while ago

Tiny
SURGEIMPULSE
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD
  • 100,000 MILES
Really stupid choice, but I was on an emergency last year and filled the power steering system with the wrong fluid, normal Prestone, not ATF. I just now remembered. What damage has been done?
Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 AT 3:03 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,269 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

If the system is still working properly, most likely you are fine. However, I would recommend flushing the system and refilling it with the correct fluid. Here is a link that shows how it is done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/power-steering-fluid-flush

If there are symptoms you didn't list, let me know.

Joe

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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 AT 7:39 PM
Tiny
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There is some leaking on a hose which I need to replace anyways clamps are also bad. There is also probably a leak on the shaft seal, which I could fix when I need to replace the drive belt. That power steering fluid should not destroy gaskets right?
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 4:01 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,269 POSTS
There shouldn't be anything in PS fluid that hurts seals. If that is leaking, it is most likely the result of wear. Is the pump quiet and working properly?

Let me know,
Joe
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 5:42 PM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 67 POSTS
It works fine. Just seems that the return hose needs replaced when I have the time. Thank you.
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 8:40 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,269 POSTS
Not a problem. Let me know if I can help.

Take care,
Joe
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 9:13 PM
Tiny
SURGEIMPULSE
  • MEMBER
  • 67 POSTS
So I am on the fence on replacing the rack and pinion along with the power steering pump as well after looking into the maintenance records before I owned the car. I believe the last time the p/s was flushed before I got it was in 2002. I don't know whether resealing anything is worth it due to how much it was beat up.
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Friday, March 15th, 2019 AT 7:03 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,269 POSTS
If there are no leaks at the rack, just make sure to flush it. It should be fine. However, if you decide to replace it, here are the directions. Pics 1 and 2 correlate with these directions.

_________________________________

Steering Gear
Removal
1. Raise vehicle on a hoist.
2. Remove both front wheel (1007) and tire assemblies.
3. Remove cotter pins at outer front wheel spindle connecting rod or ends (3A130) and remove castellated nuts at each end. Discard cotter pins.
4. Separate front wheel spindle connecting rod or ends from front wheel knuckle (3K185) using Tie Rod End Remover TOOL-3290-D or equivalent.
5. Place a drain pan under vehicle. Disconnect and plug power steering return hose (3A713).
6. Disconnect power steering pressure hose (3A719) at intermediate fitting and position out of the way.

See Pic 1

7. Remove steering shaft retaining bolt.
8. Remove rack-to-subframe bolts and nuts (access nuts through hole in front cross member (10852)).
9. Lower steering gear (3504) as necessary to remove pressure line inlet tube. Remove and discard plastic seal on inlet tube.
10. Cut tie strap securing power steering pressure hose to each tube.
11. Remove steering gear from vehicle.

Installation
1. Install new seal on pressure line.
2. Install steering gear insulator (3C716) from rear side of steering gear housing (3548) making sure they are fully seated. Use a Rubber Lubricant that meets Ford specification ESR-M99B135-A to aid in installation.
3. Install and position steering gear to front cross member.
4. Install pressure line in intermediate fitting.
5. Align steering gear sector shaft (3575) to allow steering gear to completely seat on front cross member.
6. Install steering gear sector shaft retaining bolts and nuts. Tighten bolts to 135-195N.M (100-144 lb-ft.
7. Install steering shaft retaining bolt and tighten to 41-57 N-m (30-42 lb-ft).
8. Secure power steering pressure hose to power steering left turn pressure hose (3A714) with a new tie strap.
9. Connect power st6ering pressure hose.
10. Connect power steering return hose and. Tighten clamp to 1.4-2.0. N.M (12-18 lb-in).
11. Install. Outer front wheel spindle connecting rod or ends to. LH front wheel knuckle and RH front wheel knuckle (3K186) (RH) and install castellated nut at each end. Tighten nuts to 53 N.M (39 lb-ft). Continue to tighten nuts until castellations line up with stud bores.
12. Install new cotter pins through stud bores at each front wheel spindle connecting rod or end.
13. Install both front wheel and tire assemblies. Tighten wheel hub bolt nuts (1012) to 115-142 N.M (85-105 lb-ft).
14. Lower vehicle.
15. Fill power steering system with specified quantity and quality of steering fluid. See: Steering > Specifications
16. If front wheel spindle connecting rod or ends were loosened, check and adjust front end alignment. See: Alignment > Service and Repair

See Pic 2

_______________________________________________________

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe
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Friday, March 15th, 2019 AT 7:14 PM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 67 POSTS
I flushed the system and replaced the return hose and its clamps with clamps and tightened them with a flat edge screwdriver. Cranked the engine, got the air out and the fluid is fresh. Over two days I have noticed no decline in fluid level, the leak must have been from the old return hose.
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Monday, March 18th, 2019 AT 7:05 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,269 POSTS
Welcome back:

I agree. It must have been the hose. Good job. Let me know if you need anything or have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Monday, March 18th, 2019 AT 5:03 PM

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