Steering pump oil change
 

Hi guys been a while. Lady J been parked up for a few weeks. Just getting info on what oil everyone uses in the steering pump. Planing an oil change for the steering pump.

Hi Matt, I just use whatever ATF I have handy at the time. I get a piece of vacuum hose on a syringe and empty the pump and refil it and run for a couple of days and repeat a couple of times over. Never run into a problem doing it this way.
Although I did have to put a kit through the XJ6 pump recently because it had fairly decent leak.

Why change? Nothing like combustion or coolant to contaminate it, so....


But, I've used "power steering" fluid from the parts place as well as ATF. It seems just fine, either way.


Way back when, I bought a well used but very decent looking 64 Ford Falcon Future Coupe. Same under carriage as the far more popular Mustang of the same vintage.
it's 260 CI V8 ran well enough, but with lots of "blow by". And, it's PS was by hydraulic ram. Leaked like a sieve. Very difficult to service. Just keep pouring in ATF!!! it served us til I got the engine rebuilt and reinstalled in my 69 Toyota FJ40 Land cruiser. Reluctantly, I sold the Ford. I was tempted to fix it, but just too much on my plate at the time.


Carl
.

My rack leaks so much, moving or not (bad return fitting), I don't have to change PS fluid, just keep it topped up. After several hundred miles it's all new fluid anyway.
It's on my Fix Nix list but probably not this Winter.
(';')

Me too!


Cheers
DD

You should use traditional power steering fluid which is basically clear. The pump is a GM unit. There are many types of ATF these days. Some ATF is mineral based and some ATF has friction and anti-chatter modifiers that are not appropriate for a PS system. Using AFT will basically guarantee a leak over time as the seals degrade and swell from incorrect and hot fluid.

A good upgrade is to install a power steering fluid cooler. The jag really needs one and it will prevent a leaky rack. A PS cooler from a 2005 Dodge Caravan is an easy to retrofit upgrade, easily plumbed and found on ebay, rock auto and your local mopar dealer for about 65$. Another good upgrade is a simple inline screen on the return line. I've installed both a cooler, filter and use PSF and my rebuilt rack hasnt leaked a drop in 5 years.

Thanks for the info. I have a spare trans cooler from the spare Jag, could I plumb that it?

I suppose, but far too big and clunky. Look in a salvage yard. One of the cars around here, either a Lincoln or a Tbird had a slick little unit that looked like a miniature heater core.


I just don't see hot oil as an issue in a power steering unit. And, to be noted, the rack in a jaguar is in the airstream down u der and as it is alloy, I think, probably transfers heat fairly well.


But, I love gadgetry as much as anybody.


Carl


Carl

Yes, clean it out really well. Keep in mind that all cooling and filtering in to be installed on the low pressure line only.