Type F for PS fluid- Equivalent?

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My 1990 Mustang calls for type F ATF for the power steering fluid.

The only option I have for this type of fluid locally is the Parts Source in house brand called "Certified".

I don't know if there is anything wrong with this brand, or who makes it but if there is an equivalent that is perhaps better?
 
You can use any Mercon/Dex3, or Mercon V ATF in that thing. Ford just used it to have one less fluid on the shelf. It is just being used as a hydraulic fluid.
 
So I bought Castrol multi vehicle ATF for imports. The fine print on the back states good for Mercon and Mercon V.
 
Originally Posted By: Striker
My 1990 Mustang calls for type F ATF for the power steering fluid.

The only option I have for this type of fluid locally is the Parts Source in house brand called "Certified".

I don't know if there is anything wrong with this brand, or who makes it but if there is an equivalent that is perhaps better?


I use Walmart's house brand SuperTech Type F ATF in my 1996 Ford Contour. It holds up well in my rack and pinion power steering.

Whimsey
 
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Were you going to do a full flush on the fluid? Those pumps are known for getting noisy when run low on fluid.


The PS pump on my 2002 F-150 gets noisy, without being low, in the cold winter months unless I run a synthetic like Mobil 1 ATF. It doesn't have rack and pinion steering. It has the old worm gear style steering. With all my rusty fittings I'm afraid to try to loosen them so I've been doing the suction removal method and refill. Drive for a bit and redo. It uses more fluid but in my case it is cheaper then breaking a rusted hose connection.

Whimsey
 
Sorry, I was mostly referring to the OP.

Whimsey you should be able to disconnect the return line to the reservoir and flush that way by adding to the reservoir.
 
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Sorry, I was mostly referring to the OP.

Whimsey you should be able to disconnect the return line to the reservoir and flush that way by adding to the reservoir.


I know you were, I was just "chiming" in
smile.gif
. I'm in a winter salt belt, rust sadly to say has "done a job" on all metal parts on the truck, it's not pretty
cry.gif
.

Whimsey
 
Originally Posted By: Whimsey
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Sorry, I was mostly referring to the OP.

Whimsey you should be able to disconnect the return line to the reservoir and flush that way by adding to the reservoir.


I know you were, I was just "chiming" in
smile.gif
. I'm in a winter salt belt, rust sadly to say has "done a job" on all metal parts on the truck, it's not pretty
cry.gif
.

Whimsey


The reservoir should be plastic on that. With the hoses just sliding on and held on with a clamp.
 
Originally Posted By: Striker
My 1990 Mustang calls for type F ATF for the power steering fluid.

The only option I have for this type of fluid locally is the Parts Source in house brand called "Certified".

I don't know if there is anything wrong with this brand, or who makes it but if there is an equivalent that is perhaps better?

Since I don't know anything about Parts Source, I don't know how they make their ATF. Some deep discount Type F fluid is poorly made, and is just used in cars with massive leaks.

Anyway, when servicing the power steering system on a Ford, I use whatever major ATF is on the shelf. I often would end up with Valvoline Maxlife because the places I worked could get that in bulk.
 
So I went and flushed out as much fluid as I felt was right by simply removing the serpentine belt and the return hose going into the reservoir.

I spun the ps pulley with my hand and kept adding new fluid. I did about a liter and a half using this method. Only issue is I think now I might have some air bubbles in the system.
 
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Since I don't know anything about Parts Source, I don't know how they make their ATF. Some deep discount Type F fluid is poorly made, and is just used in cars with massive leaks.

It will almost certainly be a SOPUS product, since they make all other Certified lubes, also available as a Canadian Tire house brand. I'd use it without any concern.
 
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
You can use any Mercon/Dex3, or Mercon V ATF in that thing. Ford just used it to have one less fluid on the shelf. It is just being used as a hydraulic fluid.


Our 1976 265 Massey Ferguson tractor calls for Type F for the power steering so I think I will use some high quality Universal Tractor fluid when I flush it. Thanks.
 
I always used type F in my Fords. Don't use Mercon or Dexron as suggested. Type F does not have the friction modifiers as the others do.The Certified brand will work fine in your power steering system. No need to lose sleep over this. Those other fluids were available as well in 1990 and if they were suitable, Ford would have suggested their use back then.
 
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