Joe F

Has anyone had experience using synthetic ATF in your steering? Good? Bad? Can't tell the difference? All feedback appreciated.

TIA

Cheers <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

JF

'88 S4 A/T (her driver)
'83S Euro 5sp(My project)

Thom1

Hi Joe,

I switched to Mobile1 Synthetic ATF in the power steering system over a year ago on my 86.5 928. My Porsche certified mechanic recommends synthetic fluids throughout the car. We put them in the engine, transmission, belt tensioner, and rear end over a year ago. I have had excellent results, no leaks, better transmission performance, etc. He replaced the tie rods recently, and found no problems with the rack or power steering pump.

I made a siphon with my hand lever vacuum pump. I cut 2 holes into the top of a juice jug. Stick a long hose through one hole to the bottom of the jug. Stick a short section of hose through the other hole. Seal holes with silicon. Insert long hose into the reservoir. Pump vacuum through the short hose. Hose should be about 3/16” inside diameter. Fill reservoir with Mobile 1. Drive car for a while. Repeat for more thorough fluid change.
<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

Thom1

Hi Joe,

A Joe Ferguson went to Woodward Academy. Is that you?
<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

Joe F

Thom,
No, that would not be me, nor would I be the former quarterback for the Buffalo Bills or the former pitcher for the Dodgers,... althought when I lived in LA, that association did help me get restaruant reservations more than once <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />

Just another hapless 928 junkie, like yourself.

Best wishes and Happy New Year <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Joe

dr bob

Hi Joe:

I've been using Mobil-1 in my '89 S4 for a few years now with no ill effects. There was a noticeable improvement when I did the swap. but I have no way to tell if the same improvement would be there if I had gone on with convetional dino ATF.

Opposite opinion comes from a lister in Phoenix, who ended up with a new auto box in his GTS soon after switching to synthetic. To date that is the only seriously negative report on synthetic ATF that I've heard.

Thom uses a vacuum/siphon pump to put in ATF. Sounds interesting, but... I use a Sta-Lube gear oil pump (common at Pep Boys/Kragen/Etc), and just added some vinyl hose extensions (Home Depot) to get into the bottle and to reach from the floor outside the wheelwell up and into the reservoir cap. The pump happens to thread directly on to the Mobil-1 bottle, and the six foot discharge hose was tied to the right-side exhaust pipe with tie-wraps so I could sit upright while pumping.

There's a very detailed write-up copied to the Nichols tip site, copy of a post I did shortly after I did my first fluid change on my '89.


Mine's due for another change soon, probably early this coming year. I have all the filter stuff, tools and fluid, just need to arrange for a couple hours of futzing time with the car to get it done. I plan to have the video camera running next time, and offer a CD 'documentary' on this simple but often-forgotten service.


<img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

Joe F

Hi Dr. Bob,

Thanks for the input, you too Thom. I appreiciate the feedback. I think I will start switching my cars over to synthetics. Starting with the steering on my '83, as soon as I solve the leak.
I found the clamp was not very tight on the hose that attaches to the bottom of the resevoir. Maybe it will be that simple. One can always hope.

Happy New Year, <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

JF