Power steering fluid.

[Aquila]

I have a 2011 4.0 and noticed I have a leak either from the hose or the rusty metal line. I also noticed that it looks like the previous owner used regular power steering fluid, when I noticed the manual calls for Mercon V. Is mixing Mercon V okay with regular power steering fluid? I gotta top up until I can get it fixed.

 

[franklin2]

You can buy power steering fluid in the store that says it's good for all systems. I would think it is ok to mix, it's just lightweight hydraulic fluid.

 

[Aquila]

Is it possible to cut the bad part of the metal line and put a hose there or is it too much pressure? Hoping I don't have to replace the rack.

 

[19Walt93]

You can use hose on the low pressure return line but not the high pressure line.

 

[Aquila]

You can use hose on the low pressure return line but not the high pressure line.

Ah alright. I'm not sure how to tell the difference to be honest.

 

[Brain75]

trace it back to/from the power steering pump, generically on all power steering pumps the return line goes into the upper port (which is usually straight into the reservoir) and the power line (which aught to be all hard line) comes out the bottom port

 

[Aquila]

trace it back to/from the power steering pump, generically on all power steering pumps the return line goes into the upper port (which is usually straight into the reservoir) and the power line (which aught to be all hard line) comes out the bottom port

Ah right, that makes sense. Thank you.

 

[19Walt93]

Ah alright. I'm not sure how to tell the difference to be honest.

The return line goes into the reservoir as stated above but it's not always-or usually- at the top. My C2 pumps and the old Ford Thompson pump all have the return line attached to the bottom rear of the reservoirs.