what kind of power steering fluid in my 80sd - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rosenfe · #1 01-06-2015, 05:40 PM

the mbz stuff or similar is expensive.what do you recommend?.its an old car has 147k,i will change filter at same time.

Mxfrank · #2 01-06-2015, 06:08 PM

ATF works fine.

SD Blue · #3 01-06-2015, 06:35 PM

It only takes about 2 quarts which is about $20 for the MB spec brand. You can go with cheaper but how much are you saving if there are issues? How often is the power steering fluid changed?

leathermang · #4 01-06-2015, 06:40 PM

Listen to SD Blue...
unless MxFrank posts a bond to pay for any future problems you might have..
it is pretty common around here that people are frugal with OTHER PEOPLE "S
RISKS......

rosenfe · #5 01-06-2015, 08:06 PM

yes your right,ill get the mbz stuff.

winmutt · #6 01-07-2015, 08:01 AM

Uh ya I'm with Mx Frank.

fahrvergnugen · #7 01-07-2015, 09:43 AM

A mechanic of 40+ years who loves Benzes has told me ATF is fine, so...

JamesDean · #8 01-07-2015, 09:51 AM

The guys at C&M Hydraulic, who rebuilt the steering gearboxes, told me that I should be using ATF.

leathermang · #9 01-07-2015, 10:02 AM

There is more than one ATF....
interesting that none of you promoting that... say if there is any important difference between them with regards to Mercedes cars....

Like that one might deteriorate the seals faster than another..

There are differences between manual transmission fluids.... some , according to JimSmith, which I trust, lessen the life of the bronze synchronizers....

Why would anyone , unless they had no skin in the game, be so cavalier in promoting generic ATF instead of what MB calls for ?

JamesDean · #10 01-07-2015, 10:23 AM

For what its worth..

The last time I did anything with power steering I used Valvoline Power Steering fluid. It was in our 300SD's. I flushed them out with cheap ps fluid and then re-filled with the Valvoline stuff. That was a number of years ago.

I've had gearboxes changed in two cars (420SEL, 190E) and had this done by my indy. I am fairly certain they used an ATF of some type. Can't recall which.

martureo · #11 01-07-2015, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

There is more than one ATF....
interesting that none of you promoting that... say if there is any important difference between them with regards to Mercedes cars....

Like that one might deteriorate the seals faster than another..

There are differences between manual transmission fluids.... some , according to JimSmith, which I trust, lessen the life of the bronze synchronizers....

Why would anyone , unless they had no skin in the game, be so cavalier in promoting generic ATF instead of what MB calls for ?

MB maintenance manual (#4611 Checking Power Steering Fluid Level) calls for using their Steering Gear Oil (000 989 88 03) or what is on the MBNA Factory Approved Service Products List.

The MBNA Factory Approved Service Products List has the above fluid listed with the additional note of "or an approved Dextron III ATF."

The approved list of those ATFs on the copy I have are:

Castrol Dextron-III/Mercon ATF F-30341
Castrol Transmax M-22257/22096
Chevron ATF Dextron III F-30108/30159
Citgo Multi-Purpose ATF D-21571
Exxon Superflo ATF Dextron III F-30111
Havoline ATF Mercon/Dextron-III F-30321
Texaco ATF Mercon/Dextron-III F-30321
Pennzoil ATF D-22413/F-30110
Quaker State Dextron-III/Mercon F30161
Sunoco ATF Dextron-III/Mercon F-30176
Unocal Multi-Purpose ATF D-22412/22431
Valvoline ATF Type D

So really it's plain that YOU CAN USE ATF (stick with Dextron III), and that leathermang hasn't bothered to read the free literature from the almighty Mercedes Benz of North America.

leathermang · #12 01-07-2015, 12:43 PM

Ok... real info...
I have almost every paper FSM which was put out for my car....
I do not hang around MB .... so I am not reading their free literature...

What is the printing date on that literature you posted Marturo ?

Does it cover all diesel MB's ?

martureo · #13 01-07-2015, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

It would not surprise me if some ATF was just fine for the power steering pump fluid.

BUT.... lets look at the facts...

the MB fluid was quoted as $20 to refill the system....

The ATF is going to COST SOMETHING.... how much I don't know....

but you have to take the cost of the ATF from the $20 to say what one would be SAVING in terms of money..

REALLY PEOPLE !!!!! ?????

You are willing to bet that small an amount ....less than $20 in savings..... and take a risk that what MB suggests can be substituted without consequences....

How much might the consequences COST ?

MB marks up their fluids as they do with everything else they sell.

Last time I bought some ATF it was Pennzoil and I think it was around $5.99/quart. Just to prove a point I'll call up my dealer and find out what a quart of Steering Gear Oil costs me (wholesale) and what it will cost you.

And as someone who rebuilds these steering boxes decently regularly (it's somewhere over 45 of them now), I'll tell you that none of the boxes I've redone seem to be have been run on anything but ATF or PS fluid (one seemed to have been run on mud

). The boxes are usually filthy inside due to oil fluid, lack of a filter change and from hose deterioration.

And if you're wondering further, yes I use ATF to reassemble the boxes. And yes I use ATF in my cars (unless PS fluid is cheaper).

UPDATE: I called my dealer. They've superceded Steering Gear Oil (000 989 88 03) with Power Steering Fluid (Q1460001). It's $7.35/quart (wholesale) or $10.88/quart (regular price).

martureo · #14 01-07-2015, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Ok... real info...
I have almost every paper FSM which was put out for my car....
I do not hang around MB .... so I am not reading their free literature...

What is the printing date on that literature you posted Marturo ?

Does it cover all diesel MB's ?

I looked up for the vehicle in question. A 1980SD. The SD's, SE's, D's, TD's, CD', and SL's of the period all use the same steering system (with minor differences). So it's correct for most cars of the late 70s and 80s.

The date on the specific Factory Approved Service Products list I referenced for the above information was dated November 2001. But if you'd like me to search out the older ones and a newer one and confirm it.... nah, I won't bother, I know it's the same.

ah-kay · #15 01-07-2015, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Ok... real info...
I have almost every paper FSM which was put out for my car....
I do not hang around MB .... so I am not reading their free literature...

What is the printing date on that literature you posted Marturo ?

Does it cover all diesel MB's ?

FYI: I use 99 Cents Stores PS fluid ( 99 cents per bottle just in case you do not know ) and it has been fine on all my cars.