Power Steering Fluid

I know the there is a TSB out referring to the new power steering fill being ATF+4 so I pulled it up on Dodgeram.org and it mentions that the 98-99 DN uses MS5931 which appears not to be ATF+4.

Has anyone done this TSB yet? I don't have ATF+4 but have some +3 on hand, my plan was to replace as much as a could with +3, let it get into the system and then get some Redline C+ or Amsoil and change it again so most of the old power steering fluid is out (synthetic Valvoline).
http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2001/19-007-01.htm

here's the TSB
TSB 19-007-01
New Power Steering Fluid - ATF+4 (MS9602), Factory Fill and Service
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Date: Aug. 3, 2001

Models: 2002 DR Ram Truck

2000 - 2002 (AN) Dakota
2000 - 2002 (DN) Durango
2002 (DR) Ram Truck
2002 (JR) Sebring Sedan/Stratus Sedan/Sebring Convertible
2002 (LH) Concorde/Intrepid/Vision/LHS/New Yorker/300M
2002 (PG) PT Cruiser (international Markets)
2001 - 2002 (PL) Neon
2002 (PT) PT Cruiser
2001 - 2002 (RG) Chrysler Voyager (international Markets)
2001 - 2002 (RS) Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager

Discussion:

The factory fill power steering fluid was or will be changed for some 2001 and 2002 model year vehicles. The new fluid is ATF+4 (MS9602) and it provides superior performance at both low and high end temperatures. Refer to the table to identify factory fill and the approved service power steering fluid by year and model. Note that ATF+4 (MS9602) is Red in color and MS5931 and MS9933 are Amber/Yellow in color. All three fluids will darken in color with usage and fluid color is no longer an indication of fluid condition.

The part numbers for ATF+4 are 05013457AA (quart) and 05013458AA (gallon).

ATF+4 is compatible with other Chrysler approved power steering fluids, but to avoid confusion due the fluid color difference, ATF+4 should not be mixed or used as a "topping off" fluid on systems requiring MS5931 or MS9933. On some past models, ATF+4 should be used as the replacement fluid. On these models, if a steering system is being serviced that results in a large fluid loss, such as a pump, hose or gear/rack replacement, the complete system should be drained and filled with ATF+4 (MS9602).

NOTE: THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES OWNER'S AND SERVICE MANUALS FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE THAT MAY STATE TO USE MS5931 OR MS9933 IN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM, AND THAT MAY STATE NOT TO USE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID (ATF+4) IN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM.

BODY YEAR FACTORY FILL POWER STEERING FLUID APPROVED SERVICE
POWER STEERING FLUID
AN 2002
1994-2001 MS9602
MS5931 MS9602 (2000 - 2002)
MS5931 (1999 and prior)
DN 2002
2000-2001

1998-1999 MS9602
MS5931 (built before June 1, 2001)
MS9602 (built June 1, 2001 or later)
MS5931 MS9602
MS9602
MS9602
MS5931
DR 2002 MS9602 MS9602
JR 2002
2001
MS9602
MS9933 MS9602
MS9933
LH 2002
1998-2001
1993-1997 MS9602
MS9933
MS5931 MS9602

MS5931
PG 2002 MS9602 MS9602
PL 2002
2001

1999-2000
1995-1998 MS9602
MS9933 (built before July 2, 2001)
MS9602 (built July 2, 2001 or later
MS9933
MS5931 MS9602

MS9602

MS5931
PT 2002
2001 MS9602
MS9933 MS9602
MS9933
RG 2001
2001 MS9602
MS5931 (built before July 2, 2001)
MS9602 (built July 2, 2001 or later) MS9602
MS9602
MS9602
RS 2001
2001 MS9602
MS5931 (built @ Windsor before May 22, 2001)
MS9602 (built @ Windsor May 22, 2001 or later)
MS5931 (built @ St. Louis before June 4, 2001)
MS9602 (built @ St. Louis June 4, 2001 or later) MS9602
MS9602
MS9602
MS9602
MS9602


Policy: Information Only.


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Thanks to Bob Bergevin for supplying this TSB information

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This page was edited on: May 3, 2004

hmmmm i'm running the valvoline synthetic

it appears that the only reason they say not to use ATF+4 is so that you avoid confusion with the other colored PS fluids that were used in the past. I don't see where it says you can't use it.

I use Royal Purple.

I've did some research on power steering fluid this evening. There is no published schedule or requirement by Dodge to ever have to change your power steering fluid for the life of the vehicle. I take this to mean that as long as the fluid level is maintained, you've had no issues with the system that requires disassembly, and there's no evidence of contamination then why do it?

The TSB describes the reason for a change in earlier model years would be when there is severe fluid loss. It clearly states not to mix Mopar PS fluid with ATF+4 which would be really hard to do without doing a complete system flush.

You would think that over some "period of time" given the hydraulic pressure in the system and the heat/cold cycles the fluid has to endure there would be a spec for it. How many of you change and flush out your brake fluid regularly?

I don't change it regularly, but I did this one time.

I have changed mine three times. I use the wife's turkey baster, suck a bunch out, and put in new fluid. It's not a complete change but it is enough to clean it up some. I've always used the Valvoline synthetic.

So, the concensus is good old power steering fluid is fine?

The reason I want to change it was my D sat from Jun 03 to July 04 and checking it lately, I've noticed that it looks dark, plus in the morning, I get a lot of whining. I'll just get some PS fluid and try that. It only takes a few minutes with the turkey baster.

PS: My wife said I could use it....

Well I just talked to my favorite service adviser (the only one that doesn't lie) and PS fluid is like brake fluid. There is no spec for it to be changed. They have a system flush and change every 60K miles on their dealer service list but he admitted that is only applicable if it "looks dirty" and that it's a nice upsell for them when a customer has other work done. Dodge has no requirement for a fluid change for the life of the vehicle. I still think it's odd there'd be no factory requirement but then again I've never heard of anyone flushing and changing brake fluid either for routine maintenance.

Kevin, isn't there a recommendation for long term vehicle storage somewhere around here? Has a list of everything you should do before the vehicle is stored and then what to do before it goes back into service?

Checked my PS fluid last night at 73K miles and put a drop on white cardboard. It has a slight red/brownish tint but for the most part is still very clear. Good to go another 73K, I guess!

there's a storage thing somewhere on here, I wrote a thread on what I did before it sat and what I did when I got home. Somewhere out there.....

I'll check coloring but it's so easy to change...I might jsut do it for the heck of it. I need to do my diffs too but that's a warm weather task.

Hey all... I get a little... 'noise' when doing u turns and parking lot manuvers so i was planning to change the PS fluid... to Mobil 1's Synthetic ATF. I read all the posts here and honestly I cant tell what the hell everyone is thinking! except you shouldnt do it unless theres a problem! I thought atf 4+ was basicly synthetic ATF. the mobil 1 bottle dosent say if its 4+, or anything at all for that matter. I have some extra because I was going to run it in my tranny and then got scared reading the allpar site and just put Quakerstate 3+ in the tranny... im running the mobil 1 ATF in the transfer case... thoughts?

Originally Posted by transient

I have some extra because I was going to run it in my tranny and then got scared reading the allpar site and just put Quakerstate 3+ in the tranny..... thoughts?

I'd change the quakerstate stuff. Run Mopar ATF +4 in your tranny.

Yeah MOPAR ATF +4, only Mopar, wouldn't trust all that other stuff out there that is who knows what with additives, because that is what other companies do, just add stuff to make it similar to +4. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm not a big Quaker fan. I've used Castrol the whole time I had my car and so far in my D, no problems. I like the brands Castrol, Red Line, Royal Purple, Valvoline, Mobile 1, and Amsoil for my fluids. And of course, Mopar ATF +4 for my tranny fluid.

QS ATF+3 isn't that bad guys! There's really only two choices of commercial stuff, Aamco and QS in the +3.

Does anyone think that the Mobil synthetic ATF will work in the power steering resevoir?

Bamboo, between the ball joints giving out by 60K miles, and the 4.7l having a sludge issue that sometimes kills the engine by then too, do you think this could be Dodge's plan to have a vehicle where everything catastrophically fails around 60K miles?

Originally Posted by Kevin_Rants

QS ATF+3 isn't that bad guys! There's really only two choices of commercial stuff, Aamco and QS in the +3.

Does anyone think that the Mobil synthetic ATF will work in the power steering resevoir?

Mobil should work fine. I've been running Royal Purple.

hey all-

thanks for the input... mobil 1 in the ps unit after a flush (turn the wheel a bunch) and im leaving the quaker state 3+ in the tranny!!... Have you all read that web site about 4+..? freaked me out! i dunno

hey Krewby-

Im diggin the half smashed aftermarket winch, lifted, solid axle, look of your D

Originally Posted by transient

hey Krewby-

Im diggin the half smashed aftermarket winch, lifted, solid axle, look of your D

Thanks.