Power Steering Fluid Low = Noise

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

tommudd

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
22,450
Reaction score
3,652
Location
Southeastern Ohio
The ATF +4 is an update/upgrade from reg PS fluid.
ATF+4 is a good synthetic fluid, high sheer/pressure, long lasting, use that.
Can probably get 4 changes out, from 1 quart.
There is a fill line on the front for either hot or cold, don't over fill it.

as long as you remove all of the old original PS fluid
 

M38 Bob

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2015
Messages
1,069
Reaction score
3
Location
Arkansas
This x1000. PO mixed in my 02 and my pump whines everytime it gets to about 20degF. Tolerable but annoying. :favorites68:

Overall, not a big fan of Lucas products, but I've seen their PS conditioner get rid of the whine more often than not.

Bob
 

ltd02

Comfortably numb
KJ Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2014
Messages
2,719
Reaction score
246
Location
North Central Maryland
Overall, not a big fan of Lucas products, but I've seen their PS conditioner get rid of the whine more often than not.

Bob

Haven't tried the Lucas but TransX Transmission additive helped mine quite a bit. Used to whine a lot worse. Nothing to lose and compatible with the ATF+4 I changed my system to.
 

Neven

New Member
Joined
Oct 8, 2015
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Location
Florida
Ok so I finally figured out what the noise was, it WAS indeed PS fluid. So I've concluded that a leak occurred recently. I'm not sure if it was a line leak or a pump leak, but either way, a leak is there and I gotta take care of it asap. HOWEVER, that being said, I put some ATF+4 Synthetic in there the PS reservoir, as soon as I did, the grinding noise from the bearings stopped. So now my PS system is fully lubricated and ready to go. I just hope its not a rack leak etc, I'm keeping a close eye on it. So far, it's slowly, very slowly depleting and leaking but I would much rather fill it up every week or two rather than get it fixed right away at the start of Winter, any suggestions?
 

LibertyTC

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
9,196
Reaction score
1,844
Location
B.C. Canada
Glad to hear the new ATF+4 helped.
Place some cardboard below the Jeep and determine how much is it leaking.
Carry extra ATF+4 as you need to keep it filled and leak might get worse.
To find the leak, a De-greaser along with a power washer, may be needed.
Any leaks= also means air enters the system, bubbles in fluid and noisy steering.
Look at pump and lines once it is clean, & find that leak, get er fixed!
 

Neven

New Member
Joined
Oct 8, 2015
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Location
Florida
Glad to hear the new ATF+4 helped.
Place some cardboard below the Jeep and determine how much is it leaking.
Carry extra ATF+4 as you need to keep it filled and leak might get worse.
To find the leak, a De-greaser along with a power washer, may be needed.
Any leaks= also means air enters the system, bubbles in fluid and noisy steering.
Look at pump and lines once it is clean, & find that leak, get er fixed!

Yes sir! *Salute*. A bit hard now considering the snow just started falling, but I'll do it tomorrow night after work and let the cardboard do its job. I'll try and remember to post some pictures. Any alternatives to a powerwasher besides a clean rag lol?
 

LibertyTC

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
9,196
Reaction score
1,844
Location
B.C. Canada
If the fluid is all over the place, a power wash/de-greaser would be best, then rags to get it all clean & dry.
Inspection after dry, includes one bright led flashlight,while running the jeep, turn wheel back & forth, and see if you can find the leak's location.
Popular leak locations consist of o-ring seals, where lines join into pump, rack & cooler.
Fine, barely noticeable type of leaks, generally are pinhole types on return lines etc.
Fill the PS tank to cold line before you drive each day, will also tell how much fluid daily is being lost.
The cardboard may hint or show where the main drip is coming from & how much is leaking or leftover after driving, overnight.
Snow in Florida> So much for Global warming LOL.
 
Last edited:

dude1116

Full Access Member
Joined
May 31, 2011
Messages
3,373
Reaction score
13
Location
Pompton Plains, NJ
My fluid in the reservoir is kinda black. It's an 02 but it's full. Should it be changed? Never had issues. No noise no nothing so i thought if it ain't broke don't fix it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you looked at the oil anywhere else and it was kinda black, would you have to ask?

Bob


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Not sure this has been said yet but I believe the '02s took standard power steering fluid (brown).
 

teeje

Full Access Member
Joined
May 5, 2014
Messages
733
Reaction score
5
Location
Toledo
Not sure this has been said yet but I believe the '02s took standard power steering fluid (brown).


Yes that's what I thought. It's more of a brown than a black.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Hockeygoon

Full Access Member
Joined
May 7, 2014
Messages
253
Reaction score
2
Location
Manhattan Kansas
Ok so I finally figured out what the noise was, it WAS indeed PS fluid. So I've concluded that a leak occurred recently. I'm not sure if it was a line leak or a pump leak, but either way, a leak is there and I gotta take care of it asap. HOWEVER, that being said, I put some ATF+4 Synthetic in there the PS reservoir, as soon as I did, the grinding noise from the bearings stopped. So now my PS system is fully lubricated and ready to go. I just hope its not a rack leak etc, I'm keeping a close eye on it. So far, it's slowly, very slowly depleting and leaking but I would much rather fill it up every week or two rather than get it fixed right away at the start of Winter, any suggestions?

Use Bar's transmission stop leak to top it off. No "fiction additive" like Lucas to mess up the pump. It may or may not work, but its better than running while its low.
 
Top