What sort of power steering fluid to use on my '86 XJ?

I've been searching, but every topic is about PS leaks!

I just replaced my pump. What kind of fluid should I use? Plain old PS fluid or some sort of ATF? My owner's manual says use some kind of AMC/Renault fluid, which got a chuckle out of me, but isn't helpful.

Normally I'd just look at the old fluid to see what to use, but all that came out of my pump was something I call 'black snotty grossness'.

i am pretty sure that fluid type is dictated by the pump. Did your new pump come with any info?

Both of these claim "AMC recommended"
http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=34
http://www.pennzoil.com/products/brakeFluids/index.html#PowerSteering

YMMV

I just did my '00 XJ w/ valvoline p/s fluid. It meets the mopar MS-5931 spec.
http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=139

I am sure that is not much help.


ixj

Well, the new pump is just a reman OEM. The AMC fluid spec is '8993342'

A limited amount of Googling suggests that the AMC 8993342 spec and Mopar 5931 spec are the same.

My '85 went 23 years on whatever name brand was available off the shelf, e.g. Prestone. I don't know why power steering fluid should be any different from all the other miscellaneous fluids we stuff in our ancient technology XJs.

I've always used the same stuff I stuck in the transmission and transfer case - Dexron II/IIE/III ATF. I like to keep my supply trains simple.

Haven't had any trouble, and I honestly think it works a bit better (ATF has more detergents in it to keep the system clean, it's a slightly lighter base oil, and it's better as a hydraulic fluid anyhow.)

The oil people say Dextron will foam & cavitate, hydraulic fluid does't, or at least to a lesser extent. That being said I use Dextron in everything I own, except my leaky F-150 4x4. It doesn't leak nearly as bad with real power steering fluid. I have also mixed ATF with hydraulic oil with no problems.

I just use the cheapest brand of ATF that it on the shelf at the local parts store. It's all I've ever used and it has worked excellent.

I just used some cheapo power steering fluid.

I should probably flush/bleed the steering system and get all fresh stuff in there, but this will do for now.

I recently replaced the pump and steering box with PSC parts. The instructions said NOT to use Valoline SynPower power steering fluid.
They recommended using a full synthetic or a regular mineral oil power steering fluid and they also recommend a cooler and filter.[FONT=&quot][/FONT]
I'm not sure why they dislike SynPower but I figure they know a lot more about this than I ever will.
I bought a gallon jug of the regular power steering fluid at Napa.
I installed a small automatic trans cooler and added a filter in the low-pressure return line.
I have been using metal, 3/8" line fuel-filters for decades in my vehicles to filter the fluid. They only cost a few dollars, compared to the $20+ for specific power steering filters. When you cut them apart, they look the same inside.