Power Steering Fluid Change Mercon, Mercon V, Mercon LV

[DangerRanger2004FX4]

I ordered some Mercon V to replace my transmission fluid and power steering, but was sent Mercon LV by mistake. Before realizing this, I put it in my power steering system. It seemed to quiet down and improve things a bit. Then realized my mistake, bought NAPA Mercon (made by Valvoline) and did the job again with that because I read it was the correct fluid - but it seems to have gotten a little louder again.

I have yet to try Mercon V in there...

Anyone have any advice here? Is Mercon LV fine? I have plenty of extra now...

Should I stick with the Mercon? Try Mercon V?

 

[Uncle Gump]

I know the LV was formulated to be used in transfer cases.

There was some recent discussions on all of this and I can't remember where it ended up honestly.

Seems there are enough questions on the subject that it might be worth putting together an article to capture where the fluid specs lead us today.

Maybe try a search on the forum and see what you find.

Hopefully others will chime in.

 

[19Walt93]

I know the LV was formulated to be used in transfer cases.

There was some recent discussions on all of this and I can't remember where it ended up honestly.

Seems there are enough questions on the subject that it might be worth putting together an article to capture where the fluid specs lead us today.

Maybe try a search on the forum and see what you find.

Hopefully others will chime in.

As of 2017, Mercon 5 and LV were NOT approved for transfer cases- Ford released a dedicated transfer case fluid that met Mercon specs after they discontinued Mercon transmission fluid- that they sold for $12 a quart in 2017. Motorcraft "Power Steering Fluid" also meets Mercon specs.
LV may work OK for power steering fluid but aftermarket Mercon is available and cheap, I'd flush it out just to be safe.

 

[Uncle Gump]

As of 2017, Mercon 5 and LV were NOT approved for transfer cases- Ford released a dedicated transfer case fluid that met Mercon specs after they discontinued Mercon transmission fluid- that they sold for $12 a quart in 2017. Motorcraft "Power Steering Fluid" also meets Mercon specs.
LV may work OK for power steering fluid but aftermarket Mercon is available and cheap, I'd flush it out just to be safe.

You could very well be right Walt but there is this published on the Motorcraft site.

https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en_us/home/our-products/chemicals-and-lubricants/transmission-fluid/mercon-lv-automatic-transmission-fluids.html

 

[19Walt93]

I stand corrected, as of 2017 what I posted was true. When Mercon V came out we were told to never put it in transmissions that called for Mercon, then Ford discontinued Mercon and it became OK to use Mercon V. We were told never use Mercon V in transfer cases and they released the expensive dedicated transfer case fluid, apparently that's changed, too. OR- Mercon V might be acceptable for 2012 and newer transfer cases and they've forgotten about the older Touch Drive and V8 Explorer AWD transfer cases. As long as Mercon spec fluid is available that's what will be in my power steering.

 

[Uncle Gump]

That's why it could be useful to put something together for fluids.

Someone asked for a correction in the Tech Library awhile back. A couple of us dug into it and it's all confusing.

 

[4x4junkie]

I lost faith in Ford's fluid recommendations after all that went down. I've seen (and experienced myself) many a M5OD shifting illness with Mercon V (and unfortunately the problem doesn't seem to go away by switching back to regular Mercon again either.... Maybe if you change out the fluid 10 or more times (driving a few hundred miles each time) it might, but I don't have the $$$ to waste on fluid just to (not?) find out). I agree Ford turned this whole ATF thing into a royal mess of confusion when they canceled the licensing for Mercon.

Aftermarket Mercon fluids are now labeled "Dex/Merc" or simply "Multi-Vehicle ATF" or something similar since they can't be labeled "Mercon" anymore. A look on the back label of the bottle should confirm that it meets the original Mercon specification. I strongly recommend against using Mercon V unless the application specifically calls for it from the outset (which would be the case for the auto trans in your 2004).

 

[DangerRanger2004FX4]

Thanks all, I went with the Mercon from NAPA I had in there. I flushed it a bit more and it seems to have gotten quieter as the air bled out. Also did my transfer case with the Mercon and the front and rear diffs with Motorcraft 80-90 and friction modifier in the rear. So far everything I took out was a bit better than expected as I wasn't sure how well the truck had been serviced before I owned it (bought around 190k now at 238). Gonna do the trans this weekend.

 

[DILLARD000]

For this 2001 V6~4.0L~SOHC many years now without issues, using
MerconV Valvoline in 5r55e Trans (HandPump DipTube 1qtRefresh every 6mths, PanDrop+Filter+Gasket 7qtChange every 33k Miles),
MerconV Valvoline in Steering (HandPump Reservoir 1/2qtRefresh every 6mths),
MerconLV ValvolineMaxLife in 1354 TCase (Drain+Change every 33k Miles).

 

[Rimjam]

Pretty sure old gen 1 power steering calls for Ford type F fluid.