Did my 25k oil change and tire rotation yesterday and noticed the power steering is a little low (1/2 inch below min line).
So the Ford book says use Mercon ATF (page 276) ford part number XT-2-QDX. I went around to all of the stores looking for Motorcraft Mercon ATF with no luck. Each place told me to use something different from plain ATF, Mercon V, and of course "power steering fluid".

My question is, Can I use Valvoline SynPower Power Steering Fluid Synthetic Blend?

I use Valvoline syn grease in my 4wheelers and it really holds up well so I was thinking the brand is good enough, I'm just not sure if its the right stuff or not. On the back of the bottle it says "Meets Ford spec M2C128C & D"
Is this the right spec for our trucks or is that an older Ford spec?

Any help on this would be great, I have a 2000 mile trip to take next week with my family and I need to be sure everything is correct.

Thanks!
Johnie

 

Anyone?

Thanks
Johnie

 

bump


Am I the only that has needed to add fluid to their truck?


Thanks for any help you guys can offer
Johnie

 

The Mercon V would work fine. The synthetic would work fine. Power Steering is not in the same league as transmissions as far as picky goes.
Also any of the fully approved power steering fluids themselves. As would a small amout of Trans-X, which is a seal softener, and treatment.

That's not the issue.
Your fluid, unless it's always been low, is going somewhere. You don't burn steering fluid.
So you would seem to have a leak.
Check it the way the book says, be sure you are on level ground.

I would not worry about the next trip, just top the fluid up with Mercon V, and then take it in to the dealer after you get back, and ask them to check for leaks.
You could have a connector seap, a seal going bad, whatever.
You should still be under warranty.

Oh yeah, look around under where you park it and see if you have left a spot or two of fluid. Might help at the dealer.
Chris

 

Thanks, The fluid has never been low before, admittedly I only go under the hood every 5000 miles though. When I was doing my search for the correct fluid to use I seen a few post where people had leaks with lots of fluid under their trucks so I went out and looked mine over but found no signs. I park in my garage every night and there is no oil on the floor in there either...
Now it's possible that when I did the oil change I could have cleaned up some oil residue on the truck since I use brake cleaner after every change to clean any oil spills / drips but I would think I would have noticed this much fluid.

When I had my Lightning, around 10k miles it started to leak enough power steering fluid I had to add an extra step to my 3k service intervals to clean the power steering gear box but even with all the visible oil it was leaking I never had to add as much as I did on this one today.

I'm sure the leak will show up sooner or later and I'll deal with it then... but for now I just added this fluid.

Thanks again,
Johnie

 

30K service this weekend... fluid down to the add line again and Still no sign of a leak on the truck... I must have a power steering fluid drinking goblin or something hidden in the truck.

Just an odd situation I have and I wanted to update.

Maybe I'll end up taking it to the dealer someday, I still have 6K left on the warranty and I've got to get the back window fixed anyway since it hasn't work in almost a year now.

Johnie

 

The truck should be on a rack, with a strong light under it.

There is a leak somewhere.

On the plus side, adding a shot glass or two of Trans-X when next it needs fluid should cure it for years.

'Stop leak' for transmissions and power steering is not like stop leak for radiators. It just softens and renews seals where most leaks occur.

The conditioner or stop leak also helps the way the unit operates. Although on a new truck you won’t feel any difference. No gum or dirt built up in there yet.

However, if you have a hole, bad fitting, bad gasket, etc. the stop leak will have no effect on the leak.
Chris

 

Did you change your power steering fluid to the Syntec stuff or just add a little?

 

I had put off adding anything yet as I was debating on just what to do, but I think I will try the Trans-X and see. I used a set of twin 500watt lights and found no signs of a leak, like i said its a real mystery. I had considered adding some Dye-Lite TP-3200 to find the leak but I think I will try the trans-x first.

Thanks for your reply!
Johnie

 

No I didn't flush it last time, I just added.

Johnie

 

All my Mustangs and F150's got their factory steering fluid swapped out with Synthetic ATF.Been doing it for 17 years on 5 vehicles.It was suggested by a couple of Hod Rodding mags I read and also my mechanic at a well known Preformance shop.

Norm

 

Hi, while I am sure that it would not hurt anything, and the fluid change will probably help longevity, I don't know that I have ever had a power steering system go bad. When I was in autoparts we sold them occasionally, but that was mostly leaks left to run the fluid down, then the bearings burned up. If the fluid was kept full they tend to last the life of the vehicle. So I'm not sure what you are gaining? Not that doing a fluid change just to do it is bad, just wondering at your reasons.
Chris

 

I'll be switching when I do my steering stabilizers, any opinions?

 

I do it to reduce parasitic loss at the p/s pump. I drive in colder Canadian climates. Synthetic would certainly help somewhat here.

Norm

 

Mercon XT-2-QDX. Do not use Ford branded power steering fluid, since this tends to cause noise and steering shudder concerns. Hell, using any Mercon equivalent fluid should be fine.