98 XC Power steering fluid preferences

[misha]

...I believe the 98 calls for DEX III (transmission fluid) in the powersteering so the Havoline covers the DEX III and 3309 for the transmission also.

ATF spec doesn't matter for power steering.
The most important thing is that it's red ATF.
Just regular red ATF is fine.

[MoVolvos]

...I believe the 98 calls for DEX III (transmission fluid) in the powersteering so the Havoline covers the DEX III and 3309 for the transmission also.

ATF spec doesn't matter for power steering.
The most important thing is that it's red ATF.
Just regular red ATF is fine.

I think Mercon and others are red also? Always select what is spec'd then brand rather than color.
.

[misha]

Power steering fluid quality:ATF.
http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/199 ... .htm#pg134

[MoVolvos]

Power steering fluid quality:ATF.
http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/199 ... .htm#pg134

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Thanks for the information. Sorry, I was thinking of Type F which is also red and by Ford. I knew there was a Ford red transmission that was not compatible with others and couldn't think of it as Mercon is the more common and I've never own anything which used Type F.
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https://itstillruns.com/substitutes-dex ... 02226.html
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Ford/Volvo used both the Mercon and DEXIII though they are different chemically and one has a higher flash point. Volvo spec'd both for the transmission and powersteering which indicates they are close enough. There are many more transmission fluids that are "red" so just don't use any red transmission fluid but DEXIII or Mercon compatible.

Now a days many Synthetic will be backwards compatible so look at the specs on the bottle.

[erikv11]

Dex III (red) ATF.

I use Mobil 1 synthetic ATF in the P80 PS reservoirs, even though I use cheap SuperTec Dex III for the P80 transmissions.

[scot850]

Volvo parts guy was a little confused. As has been said above, DOT 3, 4 is a term normally used for brake fluids. Many of the younger parts guys and even some of the older guys have no idea about 20+ year old Volvos. When I helped out in the parts department for a short time as a favour a few years ago, most of the guys were pretty good, and some including a couple of young guys were excellent. They also ran older Volvos and were keen to learn more. We are lucky they are still there and doing well. 2 of the parts guys are former mechanics so have a greater understanding of what goes where. Sometimes it is just luck who you get.

Anyway, I think the question has been answered.

Good Luck!

Neil.

[abscate]

On older cars with lots of drivers in my fleet I use the same product in my AT and my power steering so I only have to carry one liter off top off fluid

I used the Valvoline Dexron VI synthetic in the E83 trans and PS, and the S70 trans and PS when those cars were in college.

[ZionXIX]

With OEM power steering racks becoming difficult if not impossible to find these days, has any tried rebuilding their own steering rack on the P80 cars?

[scot850]

The hardest part is finding repair kits. I looked hard a few years ago and believe I got some from Corteco. It does not have the top dust shield for where the steering column attached to the rack. They did not have anything that size.

Neil.

[JimBee]

This blog thread by Bobistheoilguy has a couple of interesting posts, including one that compares the viscosity spec's of Amsoil's ATF vs their PSF. One poster discusses all the different hydraulic systems his machines have and he uses the ATF. The consensus is use the ATF. The PSF is slightly less viscous than the ATF. I wonder if there's likely to be any different effect on the rack seals—isn't that the failure point for a rack?

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/u ... er=2444830