Fluid for a Saginaw TC swap?

[Trump8MyKids]

Hey guys (and gals possibly) got a question:
So I swapped my p/s pump with a Saginaw TC out of a 03 Jeep Liberty with the v6. It's absolutely silent and I love it.
But this made me think about something. When I put it in I used the generic Autozone p/s fluid. I have been reading around and found Motorcraft Mercon is the way to go but would that be okay for the pump? Just wanted to ask before I ruined my $200 investment. Thanks!

 

[55trucker]

Simple GM type II power steering pump, it is mounted to two 90's GM fwd cars I own, no special fluid needed, just regular P/S fluid, do NOT use atf.

 

[Shran]

I think you're fine... mixing power steering fluid and ATF has never caused a problem for me and I have done it many times. One or the other by itself is probably better, I would have used whatever the pump calls for, but keep in mind that unless you flushed the steering rack and lines out really well, the system still has a lot of ATF in it.

I wish I knew more about why one company uses ATF and another uses power steering fluid. Years ago we put full hydraulic steering in my buddy's Dodge and used a PSC pump, they told him that tractor hydraulic fluid was the only thing to use and that anything else would void the warranty. Somewhat different scenario but still steering, nonetheless.

 

[Trump8MyKids]

Alright just wanted to be sure. Thank you guys

 

[MikeG]

ATF *is* a type of hydraulic fluid, since an automatic is a big hydraulic pump (well, more to it than that but it runs on fluid pressure) .... but how it differs from P/S fluid, not a clue. Nor why tractors and jacks and everything else have their own "special" fluid. Or why there are 47 types of ATF just for Fords (or so it seems, anyway). Never mind the rest of the domestic and import brands.

I'm sure there's a good reason for it.... or maybe not.

 

[55trucker]

Where this pump itself is concerned it was not designed to operate with ATF in it. It IS a GM piece, there is not a rear bearing inside the housing, the shaft rides directly in the vane housing bushing, regular P/S doesn't have the friction modifiers & cleansers that ATF does, P/S fluid also has a higher viscosity index, if one continually runs ATF in this pump the vanes will begin to whine & one runs the risk of premature failure.

 

[19Walt93]

The "power steering" fluid Ford sells comes in a pint bottle for about the price of a quart of ATF, it says on the back of the bottle that it meets Mercon specs. Dexron III/Mercon should work fine.

 

[Trump8MyKids]

just out of curiosity would regular p/s fluid hurt the rack at all?

 

[55trucker]

Well. in my opinion you have two fronts here, the Ford rack was designed to have Mercon run thu it, but the pump was not. As I stated that pump was designed to make use of p/s fluid. Even tho it was designed by GM/Saginaw (casting high pressure port location is reversed to the other end) for use on a Chrysler product it still requires regular P/S fluid. You have the same year vehicle I do, the owners manual spec calls for Mercon. I know from personal experience that if ATF is run thru that pump for more than a short period of time it will start to howl.

I suppose I should ask.....how in the world did you get a GM/Saginaw TC type II front wheel drive pump onto the Ford brackets?