Power steering pump/fluid issues

**dgjks6** · 11-28-2014

My rock sold grand prix (2006 GT) has been giving me issues. Last year the shop rec replacing power steering lines. I said no and 1 year later they blew. Then started making noise. They replaced the rack and still had noise. So I replaced the pump today with an autozone one. Car then sounded awful. Thought I got bad pump (there was a little shaft play) so I exchanged it. The guy there said the problem was using Prestone power steering fluid. He sold me dex ATF and said that would fix the problem. Now I am getting a little gun shy to put ATF in.

What do you guys think? ATF OK?

**Scottydoggs** · 11-28-2014

power steering is a hydro pump, a tranny is also a hydro pump. so both are hydro fluid. that being said, yes you can use atf fluid.

dont think it will stop pump whine tho. rebuilt parts have been know to fail. it happens.

**dgjks6** · 11-28-2014

After my LIM and coolant issues I bet you were excited to see me post again. If only I told the whole steering story.

Anyway, I do the autozone thing with the lifetime warranty so only costs labor and gas. I exchanged it for another one. It took an hour to get off first time, an hour to get out, and over an hour to bolt up. Second time same day the whole process took less than an hour.

So I will go with the ATF

**Scottydoggs** · 11-28-2014

yeah, jobs are easier the second time around. experience from the day before goes a long way lol

**ExLimey** · 11-29-2014

Just a note, Overkill recommends ATF in place of power steering fluid on his upgrade/performance recommendations page.

**dgjks6** · 11-30-2014

Last question. New pump, full fluid, and steers perfect. But if I check the level when hot I hear a little pop like there is pressure in the system. Is this normal?

**Scottydoggs** · 11-30-2014

dont know, ive never check it when hot, cause its a burn factor. to much hot stuff back there for my large hands.

i aint checked it since i filled it when i did the rack a month ago. no leaks on the ground, so it must be full still.

**nik12937** · 12-01-2014

Like a pop when you open the cap? That's normal, it's just a small amount of air pressure releasing from the reservoir.

I've been using Mobil1 synthetic ATF in my P/S pump because of how damn cold it can get here, it's a lot thinner in cold weather. My steering wheel would be rather stiff in the morning when it was below freezing, the synthetic fluid eased it up a bit.

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