Did I just destroy my power steering pump?

[n204life]

Popping my post cherry! Just picked up a new to me 2010 with a 6.2L. Long story short, started looking over it after I picked it up and noticed PS fluid was black. Sucked it out and filled it back up with ATF like all my other trucks. Started noticing the next day it was not very powerful and I needed to really start putting effort into steering. Now it's just tough and is whining whenever I turn it. Did putting ATF in smoke this pump?

BTW - it has since sucked out the ATF put in Valvoline Maxlife ATF put in it since it's rated for dexron and merc.

Heres a photo so I can show off the pig!

 

[Nex]

Welcome to FRF.

What does the owners manual say for fluid? The pump might have been on its last leg with black fluid. So might not be your fault.

But I would definitely change out all of the fluids now. If the power steering fluid was skipped, I'm sure others were as well.

 

[MurderedOutSVT]

#BlackRaptorsMatter


Black fluid is no bueño. Like @Nex it might have already been toast and the new fluid was too much to handle

 

[TomDirt]

Pro tip: to ease cleaning up afterward, do the fluid change on the neighbor's driveway. You know you hate him anyway

 

[n204life]

Welcome to FRF.

What does the owners manual say for fluid? The pump might have been on its last leg with black fluid. So might not be your fault.

But I would definitely change out all of the fluids now. If the power steering fluid was skipped, I'm sure others were as well.

Yah i was wondering if the clean ATF just shocked the system and cleaned it a little too well. Kind of like doing a full flush on a transmission with 300k miles

#BlackRaptorsMatter


Black fluid is no bueño. Like @Nex it might have already been toast and the new fluid was too much to handle

Yah god knows. A full degenerate owned it before me. I got it at an auction, so I can make up in my mind what kind of person used to own it. Had a clean oil change on it, so I think the motor has been protected properly. Outside that, yah I'm doing flushes on everything!

Pro tip: to ease cleaning up afterward, do the fluid change on the neighbor's driveway. You know you hate him anyway

What, no hot tip on how to make it mess free!? I did see a good video on how to do the trans fluid by disconnecting the front cooler lines and letting the trans pump it out before dropping the pan. Was thinking maybe the PS pump I could potentially do the same? But yes, definitely making sure the kitty litter is in stock for the upcoming mess.

 

[Nex]

I did see a good video on how to do the trans fluid by disconnecting the front cooler lines and letting the trans pump it out before dropping the pan. Was thinking maybe the PS pump I could potentially do the same?

I would not advise doing this. Run things too dry, and they are toast. Just loosen the pan let it drip out. Grab a pint. Then remove the bolts from 3 sides letting the pan drop a little more. Let it drip. Grab another pint. Then drop the pan the rest of the way.

Also, change the spark plugs.

 

[GCATX]

Did you saw the steering wheel back and forth, lock to lock, a bunch of times after putting new fluid in? May have air trapped in the nether regions.

 

[P4SHOCAT]

Nice Gen 1. Good luck with the truck and repairs.

 

[n204life]

Did you saw the steering wheel back and forth, lock to lock, a bunch of times after putting new fluid in? May have air trapped in the nether regions.

Correct. Jacked it up and went lock to lock a couple times to purge air.

 

[TomDirt]

I did see a good video on how to do the trans fluid by disconnecting the front cooler lines and letting the trans pump it out before dropping the pan.

You need that stupid specialty tool to disconnect those lines as they cross under the radiator. There are a couple versions.