Flushing out the old fluid on my new used Dakota. This poor thing needs some love, so this is one of the many videos I will be uploading about maintenance.
On my 03 dodge dakota . The return fluid line is the one he took off. Pull off the hose and drain into a red solo cup(fits great and gets full). put the tubing on the tank where the return line goes(just like the video). Fill to the top with ATF4+(manufacturer released a updated document to use atf4+). I jacked up the front end with the ebrake on. Then with can set a empty red solo cup on the frame with the return line going into it. Turn the wheel left and right and watch until new fluid comes out of return line. reattach the return line to the tank. Fill tank to near the cold 'full' mark. turn wheel lock to lock about 15 times. Check to make sure the level is at full mark. Note: turning on the vehicle make the pump go full blast and will drain the fluid out of the system extremely fast, that i why I recommend doing it manually.
@joshnc101 unfortuneatly, no. My Dakota has about 200,000 miles on it. After further inspection I found a leak in one of my high pressure lines that run into the rack and pinion. I decided to replace both the pump and rack and pinion. The pumps on our trucks are very sensitive, I believe that by running it so long with a leak, it chewed up some of the internals of the rack and pinion. But, in my case, with so many miles, it is worth changing both out. How did yours turn out?
I just inherited a 2000 dakota and I got stick. Caught a case of the stupid. Fluid was low so looking on line it said atf in a pinch, both are hydraulic fluid. So I used hydrologic fluid. Stupid... now I need ANOTHER pump cuz I didn't drain all that crap out completely.
@TheTexasCoder Had it done yesterday and it went pretty smooth for me, in fact the steering feels a little bit lighter. But I still get the annoying whine and it's been that way since I bought it with 45k miles. Now it's sitting at just over 119,000.
The Dodge shop manual recommends ATF+4 for power steering fluid for 2002 and newer. 2001 and earlier it recommends power steering fluid. *2002 Shop manual:* CAUTION: MOPART ATF+4 is to be used in the power steering system. No other power steering or automatic transmission fluid is to be used in the system. Damage may result to the power steering pump and system if any other fluid is used, and do not overfill.
@joshnc101 Thanks for the comment! I've read the same, I have also read that a Chrysler certified fluid or equivalent is supposed to be used. It comes down to the lubrication and maintenance properties of the fluid. The proper fluid will work better to preserve the internal seals and o-rings in the pump and rack and pinion steering. I bet if you look you will find that the proper fluid would cost the same as ATF+4. I think I spent $6 for the 32 ounce bottle. Good Luck, let me know how it works.
@joshnc101 You might want to pressure test the pump. You can get a pressure guage at Harbor Freight or any automotive tools shop. Whine is indicative of air trapped in the system. Air can only get in there by two ways: low fluid, or air bubbles trapped in the system. A leak would introduce air into a full system. Or, it might be possible that the bleeding procedure was not done correctly. Take the cap of, start the truck, and turn the wheels left and right until no more air bubbles are in resevr
Make that video of replacing the pump the pump on my Dodge Dakota is getting ready to go. I found only 1 video of how to replace it but it's for the Dodge Durango and it doesn't explain it in full detail.
lol...don't use atf4? its in the manual to use that for power steering fluid bud. lol there is absolutely no issues running atf4 in the power steering. news flash for you
Yup! In 2001/2002 Dakotas and Durangos used ATF-4. You can use power steering fluid but then you'll get the high pressure line leaks. My understanding is the seals wear out when using power steering fluid because they are made for a more compressible, ATF-4, hydric fluid.
On my 03 dodge dakota . The return fluid line is the one he took off. Pull off the hose and drain into a red solo cup(fits great and gets full). put the tubing on the tank where the return line goes(just like the video). Fill to the top with ATF4+(manufacturer released a updated document to use atf4+). I jacked up the front end with the ebrake on. Then with can set a empty red solo cup on the frame with the return line going into it. Turn the wheel left and right and watch until new fluid comes out of return line. reattach the return line to the tank. Fill tank to near the cold 'full' mark. turn wheel lock to lock about 15 times. Check to make sure the level is at full mark. Note: turning on the vehicle make the pump go full blast and will drain the fluid out of the system extremely fast, that i why I recommend doing it manually.
I'll be doing the same real soon, but I've read almost everywhere that the power steering pump is suppose to use the ATF+4 transmission fluid.
Yeah, the 2001/2002 Dakotas and Durangos used ATF-4.
Good video I have a 2000 4.7 L this video was helpful on doing the job today thanks
@joshnc101 unfortuneatly, no. My Dakota has about 200,000 miles on it. After further inspection I found a leak in one of my high pressure lines that run into the rack and pinion. I decided to replace both the pump and rack and pinion. The pumps on our trucks are very sensitive, I believe that by running it so long with a leak, it chewed up some of the internals of the rack and pinion. But, in my case, with so many miles, it is worth changing both out. How did yours turn out?
I have the same problem now
I just inherited a 2000 dakota and I got stick. Caught a case of the stupid. Fluid was low so looking on line it said atf in a pinch, both are hydraulic fluid. So I used hydrologic fluid.
Stupid... now I need ANOTHER pump cuz I didn't drain all that crap out completely.
Sounds like you have a smart lil kid there....good video. Thanks
@joshnc101 Also, when I get a free weekend, I will make a video of replacing the pump and rack and pinion. Stay tuned! :-)
@TheTexasCoder Had it done yesterday and it went pretty smooth for me, in fact the steering feels a little bit lighter. But I still get the annoying whine and it's been that way since I bought it with 45k miles. Now it's sitting at just over 119,000.
The Dodge shop manual recommends ATF+4 for power steering fluid for 2002 and newer. 2001 and earlier it recommends power steering fluid.
*2002 Shop manual:*
CAUTION: MOPART ATF+4 is to be used in the
power steering system. No other power steering or
automatic transmission fluid is to be used in the
system. Damage may result to the power steering
pump and system if any other fluid is used, and do
not overfill.
As correct as it gets!
@joshnc101 Thanks for the comment! I've read the same, I have also read that a Chrysler certified fluid or equivalent is supposed to be used. It comes down to the lubrication and maintenance properties of the fluid. The proper fluid will work better to preserve the internal seals and o-rings in the pump and rack and pinion steering. I bet if you look you will find that the proper fluid would cost the same as ATF+4. I think I spent $6 for the 32 ounce bottle. Good Luck, let me know how it works.
@joshnc101 You might want to pressure test the pump. You can get a pressure guage at Harbor Freight or any automotive tools shop. Whine is indicative of air trapped in the system. Air can only get in there by two ways: low fluid, or air bubbles trapped in the system. A leak would introduce air into a full system. Or, it might be possible that the bleeding procedure was not done correctly. Take the cap of, start the truck, and turn the wheels left and right until no more air bubbles are in resevr
can you tell me what kink of power steering oil is it . Thanks great video .
Make that video of replacing the pump the pump on my Dodge Dakota is getting ready to go. I found only 1 video of how to replace it but it's for the Dodge Durango and it doesn't explain it in full detail.
@TheTexasCoder Did the fluid change by any chance quiet down the usual whine of the pump?
lol...don't use atf4? its in the manual to use that for power steering fluid bud. lol there is absolutely no issues running atf4 in the power steering. news flash for you
This is what my repair manual says "Use MOPAR Power Steering Fluid or equivalent. Do not use automatic transmission fluid and do not overfill".
Yup! In 2001/2002 Dakotas and Durangos used ATF-4. You can use power steering fluid but then you'll get the high pressure line leaks. My understanding is the seals wear out when using power steering fluid because they are made for a more compressible, ATF-4, hydric fluid.
Check your owners manual for what type of power steering fluid it takes.
could you use an extractor to suck power steering fluid out the lines.
how often should the fluid be replaced?
I bought from NAPA auto parts ATF+4 transmission fluid. Does anyone know if this could be used for power steering fluid?
no do not use atf as your power steering fluid. bad things can happen
My repair manual says not to...
Check your owners manual. It will have just about everything you need to know about your vehicle.
Yup! In 2001/2002 Dakotas and Durangos used ATF-4.
Do the power steering go between the fender and steering shaft? Or between the steering shaft and the engine block?
No smog check in my town want to take out
I want to take out smog equipment out of my 94 Dodge Dakota Sport