Sprinter power steering

brokcanadian

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
And I thought the oil and Trans fluid was a nightmare. Sprinter is almost ready for road and once driving I tend to not have time for things . . . been over at sprinter - source for an answer but...

WHAT the hell should I put in for power steering fluid? I wouldn't bother but it's a little low and definitely time for a change after 11 years, also I lost normal power steering halfway thru my drive home but thought it was due to limp mode . . . this needs to last me long enough to save cash for the next van...

While I'm at it, recommendations on brake fluid and rearend (it's limited slip) would be helpful from you high milers, thanks
 

xmudman

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Do you have access to The List? Even though I've never owned one, just about every experienced Sprinter owner on this forum recommend that you stick religiously to The List when you put any fluid into these German princesses.
 

brokcanadian

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Yep. I gave up when I got to the part about Dodge and MB not being able to answer and contradicting each other. The fluid on Bevo is stuff I've never seen and don't know how to get where I live, MB dealership likely wants 30 dollars a quart, Dodge did for the trans fluid
 

coalminer

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
I used atf+4 when I changed mine, but in the end my problem wasn't the fluid, the 2 little ujoints that were in the shaft between the column and the rack were too tight, sprayed them down with wd40 and they loosened up.
 

brokcanadian

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Thanks for the tip . . . I can get atf+4 anywhere but it's not on the "list" how many miles does it go on that?
 

FlyingVan

Moderator
Staff member
Owner/Operator
Rear end is not limited slip. I use 80w90, might be wrong on the numbers a bit, but in the ballpark. 770k miles to date.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk
 
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brokcanadian

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Okay . . . looked up my build sheet from VIN, was it wrong? Was hoping for LSD, any brand oil, synthetic?
 

FlyingVan

Moderator
Staff member
Owner/Operator
As far as I know, no t1ns have limited slip diferentials. They have a system called ASR which uses the brake on the rear wheel that is spinning.

I've used both synthetic and regular gear oil, whatever I found at the time.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk
 

brokcanadian

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Thanks at your mileage id call that a definitive answer...ever change power steering? this was a city truck so far all the fluids were black
 

Turtle

Administrator
Staff member
Retired Expediter
The rear end is gear oil is one of the few fluids that isn't all that critical, provided you stay right there in the 80W-90 and 85W-90 range. Most any API GL-5/MIL-2105-E SAE 90 Hypoid Gear Oil is going to fall into that range. You just don't want to go below 75W (viscosity at cold temps) or above the 90 (viscosity at 100 °C (212 °F). Particularly, stay away from the things like 70W-140. Reduced axle durability will result if you stray outside of that range. Any good quality GL5 rated XX-90 weight gear oil is going to be fine.

MB 235.0 and 235.6 is the spec.

I generally use the Fuchs Titan Supergear 80W-90 oil from Europarts, or I just use the Mopar oil (which is also the same Fuchs Titan oil, incidentally). My local Dodge dealer carries it in stock, as it's used on several Chrysler vehicles. I've also used Mobilube S 80W-90.

The power steering fluid should probably be changed at least every 5 years because of degradation. It's hygroscopic like brake fluid and will break down as it absorbs moisture. It's not as critical as brake fluid, which is supposed to be changed every 2 years, but I've only changed mine once at 5 years. I should probably have it changed again. But as for the power steering, I've had mine flushed and refilled twice, and I've had a couple of small leaks (loose hose clamp) that required adding additional fluid. All it takes is for the steering fluid level to be about 3 caps full of fluid too low for the steering to stutter and shudder when backing out of a parking space or turning the steering when while parked.

The history of discussions of the right and proper power steering fluid to use is long and tedious. The 2003 service manual (same steering parts as the later models) specifically states Mopar ATF+4. The 2004 manual, for the same exact parts, states synthetic ATF III and nothing else or else! The 2005 manual states Mobile ATF-D. And a snotload of real world experience says most any ATF or PS fluid will work. Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak is also popular for small leaks, with no detriment.

Both times I had mine changed out I used the genuine MB power steering fluid or the Mopar stuff, which is the same as the MB fluid. The genuine, real-deal stuff is a clear yellow, which turns gray when degraded. ATF is red. That might be important if you use color as an indicator. I carry with me some Shell ATF 134 and use that in the power steering if I I'm low on fluid.
 

brokcanadian

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Thank you...never thought of the shell 134 I've got 4 quarts left from the trans repair as well as 3 quarts leftover generic 80w90 synthetic
Anything special on brake fluid? Standard green antifreeze?
.
 

FlyingVan

Moderator
Staff member
Owner/Operator
I wouldn't use green antifreeze. I have used the Mopar stuff, also Zerex G-05 made by Valvoline.
Brake fluid is DOT 4+.

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OntarioVanMan

Retired Expediter
Owner/Operator
And mine is black at 150,000 o_O employee driven
I don't understand the black?....is it being really over heated due to city driving?.....Mine is still clear.....and doing the finger thumb test....its still appears viable and not sticky...

Now my power steering fluid was almost black I went almost 900K before I flushed the system...and that didn't fix the sound.....but lubing the two universal joints on the steering column near the firewall did...
 
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