Power steering fluid

Can I only use Mopar power steering fluid in my '03, or will any quality aftermarket brand work?

Since my Jeep is six years old. I'm thinking about draining the power steering fluild and replacing it to see if I can get rid of that initial startup moan.

Sure would be cheaper than buying a new pump.

My 05 owners manual says ATF+4 and that is the only thing I would use. Your 03 should be the same. You can get it anywhere now.

Personally, I wouldn't start mixing fluids because if you put something in that didn't mix well then you might end up with more noise or replacing the pump...$$$$

Just my opinion.

Dave

I like the fact ATF+4 is used for the transmission, transfer case, and power steering. I don't have to keep a dozen different fluids on hand.

This afternoon I tried draining out some of the power steering fluid. I couldn't get much out, other than what was in the resevoir and the return line.

Personally, I'd flush it with any synthetic or synthetic-blend ATF.

belvedere said:

Personally, I'd flush it with any synthetic or synthetic-blend ATF.

Click to expand...

ATF+4 is a full synthetic fluid.

ShafferNY said:

This afternoon I tried draining out some of the power steering fluid. I couldn't get much out, other than what was in the resevoir and the return line.

Click to expand...

There was a thread on here somewhere about useing "the turkey baster method" to suck the fluid out. You might have to do it a couple of times.

Dave

I used a suction pump to remove the fluid from the resevoir before taking the return line off. I was hoping I could remove the return line, place it in a milk jug and turn the pump over by hand to push the remaining fluid out.

It work a little, but not much.

Yea, there isnt much fluid at all in the ps reservoir. I ended up sucking it out and filling it up around 4 times(started it each time). If you wanted you could over fill it so more new fluid would be circulated around when you started it. Just make sure you dont over fill it for the final fill.

tjkj2002 said:

ATF+4 is a full synthetic fluid.

Click to expand...

Yes, I know. I was just saying that it's not the only ATF that will work in a PS system. PS systems don't care about friction modifiers the way a trans does. Therefore, a synthetic Dex/Merc would make the PS system just as happy as +4 would.

03'-> MOPAR PS Fluid... 04'+-> ATF+4

ShafferNY said:

Can I only use Mopar power steering fluid in my '03, or will any quality aftermarket brand work?

Click to expand...

Dave said:

My 05 owners manual says ATF+4 and that is the only thing I would use. Your 03 should be the same. You can get it anywhere now.

Personally, I wouldn't start mixing fluids because if you put something in that didn't mix well then you might end up with more noise or replacing the pump...$$$$

Just my opinion.

Dave

Click to expand...

ShafferNY said:

I like the fact ATF+4 is used for the transmission, transfer case, and power steering. I don't have to keep a dozen different fluids on hand.

This afternoon I tried draining out some of the power steering fluid. I couldn't get much out, other than what was in the resevoir and the return line.

Click to expand...

In a 03' KJ you must use MOPAR Power Steering Fluid for topping off... If the system is professionaly flushed, you can start using ATF+4... MOPAR PS Fluid is ambar when is new (it can turn light brown when it's used)...

04'+ KJs come from factory with ATF+4... MOPAR ATF+4 is reddish-pink...

Like Dave says, be sure you don't start mixing fluids!

Cheers

After doing the fluild change my power steering doesn't make the inital moan upon start-up like it did before. It's still there, but nowhere near has bad.

I think I'm going to drain the fluild one more time and refill it to see if it completely goes away.

See this...

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2003/19-005-03.htm

Finding out which is the correct fluid that should be used in an '03 KJ is getting confusing. The TSB above shows that the KJ 2002-2004 had factory fill of MS9602 which is ATF+4 red in color. When I look at my PS overflow bottle, I see amber colored fluid which would indicate it's the Mopar PS Fluid MS5931. I have a receipt from the previous owner of my vehicle which had the PS fluid flushed at 36k Miles by the dealer. I don't know if it originally had the amber fluid and they replaced with the same or if it had the red fluid but when they flushed it they put in the amber fluid.

Anyone can tell me what fluid they from the factory on their 2003 Liberty ?
Mine is an early 2003 - Initial purchase of Sept 2002.

Read it again... you are getting it wrong...

The TSB says that if you have a KJ between 2002-2004 (among other vehicles) you can put ATF+4 without any issues, if you previously flush the PS system professionally (since they are saying that you can't top off with different fluids)... They are telling you that the PS pump can handle ATF+4 with no problems... Even more, they are also telling you that ATF+4 is better fluid than the MOPAR PS Fluid...

If you read it carefully, they also say that the 2004 lineup typically has ATF+4 as PS fluid... Since you have a '03 you might have another fluid (in your case: MOPAR PS Fluid)

Cheers!

FWIW, my KJ's fluid was red when I drained it.

But there's no telling if it had ever been sericed before.

I read it the same was as mberthia.

AlexKJ said:

Read it again... you are getting it wrong...

The TSB says that if you have a KJ between 2002-2004 (among other vehicles) you can put ATF+4 without any issues, if you previously flush the PS system professionally (since they are saying that you can't top off with different fluids)... They are telling you that the PS pump can handle ATF+4 with no problems... Even more, they are also telling you that ATF+4 is better fluid than the MOPAR PS Fluid...

If you read it carefully, they also say that the 2004 lineup typically has ATF+4 as PS fluid... Since you have a '03 you might have another fluid (in your case: MOPAR PS Fluid)

Cheers!

Click to expand...

I read it correctly and understand your point that it's ok to put ATF+4. My point is that the TSB indicates that the KJ factory fill was MS9602 for 2002-2004. Look at the table.

My vehicle had the amber fluid, most likely 5931 so if I want to only top off, I need to use the same 5931 and not top off with 9602. If and when I want to replace all the fluid, yes I'll use the 9602/ATF+4.

The FSM for 03 specifically cautions against using ATF for the power steering pump. Page 0-5.

"The recommended fluid for the power steering system is MOPAR Power Steering Fluid or equivalent. Do not use automatic transmission fluid and do not overfill."

Correct me if I'm wrong, TSB's supercede the FSM.

You could always call a dealer and ask them. If you do, let us know what you find out.

JUST ASKING, can you use ATF+3 or +4 as Power Steering fluid? I see one said not too, but from what I was told, you can on most other Chrysler cars... I used it in my 2000 Avenger ES power rack, now gone (traded it for the 06 Liberty), with about 145K miles on it. The rack never had any leaks, and I never changed the fluid since I done that at about 3K miles... Lasted the WHOLE time, good as gold...

+3 and +4 is a specially formulated fluid, made specifically for the Ultradrive Transmission... Special friction modifiers and conditioners, very good stuff...

Powerslave said:

JUST ASKING, can you use ATF+3 or +4 as Power Steering fluid? I see one said not too, but from what I was told, you can on most other Chrysler cars... I used it in my 2000 Avenger ES power rack, now gone (traded it for the 06 Liberty), with about 145K miles on it. The rack never had any leaks, and I never changed the fluid since I done that at about 3K miles... Lasted the WHOLE time, good as gold...

+3 and +4 is a specially formulated fluid, made specifically for the Ultradrive Transmission... Special friction modifiers and conditioners, very good stuff...

Click to expand...

ATF+4 full synthetic,ATF+3 is not and is no longer used by Chrysler.


Your PS system is very different then a trans.If you read up on why you shouldn't use ATF in a PS system(google is your friend) you wouldn't want to run ATF in the PS system also.I don't,I use synthetic PS fluid,specifically made for PS systems.

tjkj2002 said:

ATF+4 full synthetic,ATF+3 is not and is no longer used by Chrysler.


Your PS system is very different then a trans.If you read up on why you shouldn't use ATF in a PS system(google is your friend) you wouldn't want to run ATF in the PS system also.I don't,I use synthetic PS fluid,specifically made for PS systems.

Click to expand...

Ditto.

Amsoil Power Steering Fluid

Had a squeeling PS pump in my KJ and XJ and both are quiet now since getting all the old stuff out and new stuff in. (did end up putting a new pump in my KJ though, bad seal where the pump and reservoir meet) My wifes KJ started making noise recently too in the cold so will be changing that out too soon.