Use of incorrect power steering fluid 65 deville

[johngmm7]

I have just completed fitting a new power steering box and hoses.  The steering is still very stiff and heavy on testing on my driveway.  On page 2-10 of my shop manual, it states Cadillac Recommended Fluid for Power Steering System - what a big help! Why didn't they state the type?  Nowhere else in the steering section have I located the type of fluid. My local parts store recommended a fluid brand of their own which I've gone ahead with.  Now with this problem where it's almost impossible to turn the steering at a standstill without using major force, I'm wondering if it can be the wrong fluid. I understand that air in the system can cause hard steering and I've gone through the recommended procedure for this without success. If I need to replace the fluid with whatever is correct, should the system be flushed or is draining sufficient. Would someone mind helping me with whatever fluid works. Many thanks, John

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

G'day John,

I personally would be using just Dexron III, and then jacking the car up and turning the steering wheel from lock to lock, eventually bleeding the system.

Jacking the car up, takes the pressure off the steering components, not to mention your own muscles.

Bruce.

[35-709]

Power steering fluid is pretty universal stuff, they used to use ATF, you still can.  Any PS fluid in a parts store should be perfectly fine for your system except for a few oddballs like that for some foreign cars which are clearly labeled.  You have a problem (blockage?) in your system somewhere.

[EAM 17806]

G'day John,

I personally would be using just Dexron III, and then jacking the car up and turning the steering wheel from lock to lock, eventually bleeding the system.

Jacking the car up, takes the pressure off the steering components, not to mention your own muscles.

Bruce.

   BRUCE!  Why wouldn't you prefer to use the GM power steering fluid that is factory recommended for these systems instead of the ATF fluid?   EAM

[TJ Hopland]

I would think a 65 would not be that sensitive to the fluid type especially this time a year when we are not dealing with extreme ambient temps.   In the later 70's and 80's on is when I have run into them being sensitive to the fluid type especially rack n pinion systems for some reason.   When I have had the 'wrong' fluid the system still worked reasonably well but was noisy.   Sometimes they were a little odd and extra noisy when the temps were extreme.   In all cases once I looked up the correct fluid and did a few flush cycles with a turkey baster they were fine. 

I don't remember the specifics but one time I know for sure I had power steering fluid in and it called for dex/merc and another time I think with the same make it was opposite.  Strangest one is a 93 Ford I still have that calls for type F ATF.   Ford quit using that in their transmissions in the 70's I think so its getting hard to find.  2 shops said I needed a new rack and pump.  That was 10 years ago and its still going strong with the type F now that I found it.     

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

   BRUCE!  Why wouldn't you prefer to use the GM power steering fluid that is factory recommended for these systems instead of the ATF fluid?   EAM 

The Shop Manuals for these years states that if GM Power Steering Fluid is not available, use Automatic Transmission Fluid.

Down here, I have never seen any specialised Power Steering Fluid up until a couple of years ago, and everyone simply used the same Automatic Transmission Fluid that the car used.    GM, Dexron III, Ford Type F.   Plus, as I never buy fluids and the like from the Dealers, (too expensive) The Oil Companies I buy from, when I was buying in bulk, way back when, They never sold any specific Power Steering Fluid, except Hydraulic Oil, and that stuff was for major machinery with hydraulic rams.

As the car in question is a '65, and not anything special with odd-ball power steering, then Dexron III will do.

Bruce.

[Glen]

   BRUCE!  Why wouldn't you prefer to use the GM power steering fluid that is factory recommended for these systems instead of the ATF fluid?   EAM

The cap on the power steering pump on my 68 ELDO says “AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID TYPE A” I recall the same on my 61 Coupe Deville.  I assume a 65 would have the same. 

[Julien Abrahams]

Eperhaps a weird question, but is there any assistance at all? Is there a (big) difference in steering effort between when thee gine is running or not. From what you describe it sounds more that there is no assistance at al (wrong connection, (internal) leak, pump failure?).

[cadman56]

Air still in the system?

[johngmm7]

Thanks to all of you for your comments.  The thing is, everything is new - the pump, the box and both hoses.  I just hope to heck that the new box is not the culprit. Pump not quite so difficult.  I'm going to have another go at things today by replacing the fluid, even though it appears that fluid is not the problem, then bleeding. Can't believe this after having replaced everything.

[TJ Hopland]

I have not experienced or heard much about steering boxes causing issues like you describe.  Most of the time a bad rebuild or assembly on a box causes them to only have assist in one direction or or power themselves one direction. 

Pumps on the other hand its pretty common to hear stories about them having issues with both new and rebuilt ones. Not sure if its a parts quality thing or workmanship issue but it seems to happen fairly often. 

Are you cycling it with the front wheels off the ground?  That usually helps the bleeding process.   After you have driven or bleed how does the fluid look?   If its an air problem the fluid will be at least slightly foamy. 

[fishnjim]

I'd definitely bleed all the air out before thinking the wrong fluid.  Unless you put wrong thing in there?   
There should be a bleed procedure in the manual, but if not, start up and slowly turn wheel clock to clock and observe the reservoir until no more bubbles. 
It's just a hydraulic pump and hydraulic driver connected by hose.   If any parts sat on the shelf could be some corrosion or something going on, but more likely if rebuilt, wasn't done so good.   
Otherwise, the suspension and steering linkage is next in line for hard steering inspection.   
The "new" PS fluid doesn't have dye in it, so you can better check source of leaks.   With everything red trans fluid, hard to tell where it came from.   All light mineral oils some additives.

[Jeff Rose CLC #28373]

As asked above, are you getting anything at all?  I would first suggest checking the continuity of your fluid path. I had an issue with the 55 and it turned out to be a blockage in the new hose. It was noticeable because the pump became screeching hot because it was in full bypass all the time.  I am not positive about your system but maybe with the engine off, pull the return line and cycle the steering-- Does fluid easily squirt out of the return line when you turn the wheel?  Then go from there. You can also crack the pressure line when running (be safe of course) fluid should shoot across the garage.
Also, please do not be insulted by this question-- Were there any plastic packing plugs in the new box that may not have been removed? Sorry to ask but hey, we've all done it.
Jeff