[cherokee_dude]

Hey Guys,
I had a pretty bad leak on my power steering line on my 2006 Hemi and used that Lucas Oil Stop Leak (Almost the whole quart) since my wife had to drive it home while I was working late one night...

I've since replaced the line, but now I have the following symptoms.

1. Hard Turning unless I give it some gas
2. Whining noise when the A/C blower is running (I thought I read that the a/c belt is run from the P/S belt supply or something like that)
3. Basic hard turns with Straining noise when not moving.

Do you guys think a flush would work? or do I need to replace all the P/S lines and pump.

If the flush would work, I would appreciate someone pointing me in the right way to do it.
Thanks Everyone, ahead of time!

 

[tomk]

You might be fairly badly hosed.

The 5.7L radiator fan is driven my a hydraulic motor, driven by the PS pump. The whole system doesn't use normal PS fluid (at least my '07 doesn't). Heaven knows what the stop leak did.

You can always try a flush (with the correct fluid), but my guess is you'll be replacing some parts (hopefully not the rack).

...tom

 

[cherokee_dude]

I did notice that EVERYONE says to use OME PS fluid and don't compromise.
Does anyone know of a good write-up for flushing out the PS lines? or how much it would cost to replace the lines along with the pump to have a completely clean slate?

 

[tomk]

I did notice that EVERYONE says to use OME PS fluid and don't compromise.
Does anyone know of a good write-up for flushing out the PS lines? or how much it would cost to replace the lines along with the pump to have a completely clean slate?

That would be pump, lines, fan motor, and steering rack if you want a clean slate.

The service manual I have doesn't seem to have a flush procedure..

 

[lstowell]

I did notice that EVERYONE says to use OME PS fluid and don't compromise.
Does anyone know of a good write-up for flushing out the PS lines? or how much it would cost to replace the lines along with the pump to have a completely clean slate?

Any local parts store can provide a compatible PS fluid if the dealer stuff is outside your price range.

You probably don't want to delay a lot in draining the system and putting in good fluid to see if that resolves the issue or if you are going to be replacing the pump, possibly the hoses, etc.

The thing shouldn't have been low unless it is leaking somewhere, so while picking up fluid, pick up a small bottle of dye and give the engine and hose area a good cleaning so you can spot the dye.

You should be able to drain it by just disconnecting the lowest hose, would suggest the inlet side so you don't have to worry about high pressure remnants.

 

[dr.lee.baugh]

Not to completely disagree with the above post...but I have not found any aftermarket sources for the ps fluid. I have found almost every parts store will say that they have a compatible fluid, but when examining the bottle it does not meet or has not been tested to comply with Chrysler standards. Bottom line is I wouldn't trust the staff at any of the auto parts stores to know the difference. I would just be careful going the parts store route. The extra few dollars for the proper fluid is certainly worth the peace of mind IMO. I hope I'm completely wrong, but this topic comes up quite frequently and no one has yet provided the brand/name or details on a compatible aftermarket replacement. All of the rest of the advice I completely x2.

 

[ChrisWk]

You can only use oem ps fluid it cost about 20 bucks a quart or you will mess up the ps pump.

 

[DannyVtCa]

Oh man.... Bad stuff.... I lost all my power steering fluid once when a hose wiggled loose. I was stranded for two days in wyoming because the dealer had to order the right stuff. Considering the steering rack, fan, and pumps are over a $1000 in parts two days waiting for the right fluid made sense. No aftermarket power steering fluid works.... Although I thought I read somewhere maybe hydraulic fluid for a tractor might work.

 

[Frango100]

Oh man.... Bad stuff.... I lost all my power steering fluid once when a hose wiggled loose. I was stranded for two days in wyoming because the dealer had to order the right stuff. Considering the steering rack, fan, and pumps are over a $1000 in parts two days waiting for the right fluid made sense. No aftermarket power steering fluid works.... Although I thought I read somewhere maybe hydraulic fluid for a tractor might work.

For the WJ they also say the same, which i believe is using the same synthetic power steering fluid. Everybody must do whatever he/she believes is best, but to me it is only scare tactics to sell the mopar stuff. I'm using a parallel synthetic fluid for years without any side affects.
Regarding the tractor fluid, i think that was regarding the "special" mopar fluid for the T-case, which is nothing more then Mobil 424 fluid, which is used in several tractor applications.
I know that in the States fluids are not that expensive, but here in Brazil the original mopar fluids are or crazy expensive or even not available (even from the stealer), so we (have to) look for alternatives.

 

[cherokee_dude]

I think I'm going to try a flush this weekend with some generic brand to get rid of as much gunk as possible from the pump. Although it's probably hardened at this point.

The plan:

Circulating the (I)(O) PS hoses through makeshift rubber lines into a few (one at a time) small buckets of generic brand until it looks 'clearer' and hopefully moving faster.

{I don't believe the entire system is pressurized, right?}

Then finish up by reloading with Mopar.

Figure it'll save me 1k in parts if it works... Anyone ever tried to just clean flush this junk out with a process like this?

 

[jeeper_57]

Steering fluid is really hard to find even dealer mix them up between Wj and WK ...
normally on the wk there is a sticker on the tank with the PN .
You can't mix with other fluids without getting a mess soon or later.. a frien could just buy a new pump and do a complete flish of the system as he used a classic fluid on a wj...
normally it's around 20-25$ the liter

 

[tomk]

Circulating the (I)(O) PS hoses through makeshift rubber lines into a few (one at a time) small buckets of generic brand until it looks 'clearer' and hopefully moving faster.

you're going to need to get almost all of the 'generic brand' out. So there is likely to be at least one flush with the real stuff.

Also, if you don't move the rack, the fluid in the two reaction chambers never moves.. so you'll need to rock the rack from end to end.. and make sure the generic stuff isn't trapped in there..

...tom