97 Subaru Legacy Power Steering

[gathermewool]

My power steering pump is dying, and will soon be replaced by a reman'd one. I changed out the transmission fluid with Amsoil when I got the car 40kmi ago, and used the remainder to dilute the power steering fluid by emptying the reservoir once every few days for a couple of weeks.

I can't for the life of me find my Haynes manual, but, IIRC the power steering system calls for Dex 3. It's my understanding that Dex 3 is no longer regulated, and has been superceded by Dex 4 (or is it 6?). Would this be ok, and why not use a power steering fluid? TIA

 

[Drew99GT]

You can still buy Dexron III fluids. Use one of them for sure, as Dexron 6 is not to be used in power steering units requiring old Dex specifications.

 

[Drew99GT]

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/1487273/

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/1487273/


Thanks for the link, but I think I'm more confused now than ever! Some say stick with Dex III, while other quote their manuals stating Dex VI is fine for power steering.

From wikipedia:

Quote:
All DEXRON-III licenses expired at the end of 2006, and will not be renewed. Beyond that date, General Motors will only support the use of DEXRON-VI fluids for use in Hydra-Matic transmissions.[1] Fluids claiming DEXRON-III type performance continue to be sold under abbreviated names such as Dex/Merc, and D/M however since the DEXRON-III licensing system no longer exists, these fluids are not regulated in any way.


From your link, some one posted:

Quote:
And power steering systems should now use p/n 89020661 (89021183 in Canada) Power Steering Fluid.


Is this my answer?

 

[Drew99GT]

The label on Dexron 6 bottles says not to use it in power steering applications.

Like I said, you can still find Dexron III in auto parts stores. Use that!

 

[mechtech2]

Yet, some cars spec DexVI as their power steering fluid!
This stuff seems superior to older ATFs in many ways, so I can't see why not to use it in other PS systems.
But I also won't recommend here to go against the Mfrs. present fluid spec..

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Yet, some cars spec DexVI as their power steering fluid!


Which ones? All current late model GMs spec a special power steering fluid. In fact, GM has speced power steering fluid for as long as I can remember!

 

[JohnBrowning]

Before you replace the power steering unit suck out all of the powersteering fluid and refill the resovoir with MMO/Marvels Mystery Oil it might just save the old unit if itis anything other then the bearing going but more important then that it will disolve all the junk that has built up inthe system. SO when you take the lines off all the junk will drain out with the fluid! The best part is that MMO operates fine all by itself as a powersteering fluid I ran it by accident for 12 years in my 4Runner. I made a trail fix and all anyone had was a gallon jug of MMO. So I after I spliced the torn line I refilled with 100% MMO. 12 years latter when the trucks power steering pump failed the MMO was still in it and still looked like new and never caused any harm. Best of all the insides of all theparts where super clean.

 

[gathermewool]

I finally found my Haynes manual. It states that Dex II or IIE should be used. Does Dex III automatically supersede Dex II/IIE?

As far as the failure mode, I'm guessing it's the pump bearing. At idle the power to the steering rack seems to stutter, but goes away when I rev the engine. When some one else turns the wheel at idle I notice the pump makes a squealing noise and the pulley actually seems to stutter and almost stop moving. It appears that when this happens the belt is slipping, but not making any noise itself.

Even while driving the steering doesn't feel as it used to. I attributed the change in feeling - not the stuttering at idle - to having changed out the ball joints and both CV axles.

 

[Tremo]

First off, make sure the belt isn't loose.

And yeah, you can use Dex3 in lieu of Dex2.

You might just want to go get som MaxLife Dex/Merc fluid and use that.

 

[gathermewool]

Replaced the pump, put the belt back on and BAM! The power's back : )

 

[Drew99GT]

Were you able to find Dexron III?

 

[gathermewool]

I used Wolf's Head DX III-H/M ATF - for use where Dexron III required.