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Old 12-10-2009, 12:56 PM   #9
trukdoc
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Sulphur Springs
Posts: 748
M.O.C. #2220
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Generally diesels use the PS system for brakes as well as steering. Whether it is a vacuum or hyd system there is a accumulator that will give about two applications of the brakes with power assist. So if you know that the PS is out, apply the brakes in such a way that you do not need to let off till you are stopped. Fords historically are bad about whining PS pumps. Regardless what the manual says Automatic Trans fluid is NOT an acceptable alternative to Hyd oil or PS fluid. There will be some old timers that swear that it is OK. I was a manager of a 300+ vehicle fleet, and it was the companies policy to use ATF. Due to the amount of power steering problems I did a study with a comparison to units we had ATF and the ones that we had replaced hoses and flushed out the system and added tractor hydraulic oil. The ones we flushed out the ATF we had minimal problems with. The ATF units had noise, and leak problems in the hoses and steering box seals and the pump seals. Lucas makes a good PS additive. Hope this helps.
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