95 M3 - Best Power Steering fluid ?

[Casebrius]

I'm finally getting around to doing a steering system overhaul (New Z3 rack, tie rods, lines and both knuckles) in hopes it takes all the play out of my wheel. What is the best tranny fluid to put back in? I'm hoping the pump holds out, it was run low a couple times when lines were leaking and it whirred for awhile but is now quiet.

[ChuckDizzle]

I'm finally getting around to doing a steering system overhaul (New Z3 rack, tie rods, lines and both knuckles) in hopes it takes all the play out of my wheel. What is the best tranny fluid to put back in? I'm hoping the pump holds out, it was run low a couple times when lines were leaking and it whirred for awhile but is now quiet.

I'm a fan of Redline brand fluids.

[Gene V]

I'm a fan of Redline brand fluids.

same here...

[TostitoBandito]

Yeah as I said in the copy of this thread in the E36 forum, any ATF will do and I wouldn't worry too much about the brand for PS fluid.

Personally I'm also a fan of Red Line gear oils. I use their MTL in my transmission, ATF for PS, and 75W-110 for my diff.

[bluptgm3]

BMW E36s power steering system calls for ATF and Dexron III compatible ATF. Power Steering Fuild is different than ATF.
Red Line D4 ATF is my choice.


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[TH3 Shifty]

chf11s-power-steering-fluid.jpg us this.. /thread

[jayjaya29]

CHF is not ATF...

[m3leistung]

I asked bimmerworld when i installed a z3 rack and their power steering AN hose hit, and they said redline ATF or redline PSF would both work. The only perceivable difference is steering weight. iirc the ATF has lighter steering weight. Call up a BMW race shop and ask them

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[Hova]

I've used RP ATF and Redline ATF, have never seen, heard or felt a difference. The biggest change by far is just having clean fluid in there.

[TostitoBandito]

Yeah for PS fluid it's mostly there just to act as hydraulic fluid and not gear oil like in a transmission. There aren't a bunch of hot spinning gears in your power steering needing lubrication. For that reason the type probably doesn't matter very much as long as it's the proper ATF so it doesn't damage or degrade any components.

[EUROE36M]

I used Motul ATF last time

[NeilM]

For over 20 years I've used Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF in this application. It meets BMW specs, is widely available at all the usual auto parts stores, and is reasonably priced. I know of no reason to use anything more exotic or more expensive.

Bonus: you can use the same stuff as manual trans fill too.

Neil

[jprottas]

I'm finally getting around to doing a steering system overhaul (New Z3 rack, tie rods, lines and both knuckles) in hopes it takes all the play out of my wheel. What is the best tranny fluid to put back in? I'm hoping the pump holds out, it was run low a couple times when lines were leaking and it whirred for awhile but is now quiet.

where did you source the parts for this overhaul and what was the ballpark cost? thanks

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[TostitoBandito]

I didn't do the knuckles/kingpins when I did mine, but I got my rack from rackdoctor (with new tie rod ends) and the OEM reservoir/hoses and flex joint from FCPEuro. It was around $100-125 for the steering lines/reservoir, flex joint, ATF, and assorted other hardware/gaskets, and $490 for a rebuilt E46 ZHP rack with new E36 ends (Z3 rack is slightly more). You can save some money on the rack by getting it someplace like Detroit Axle, or by getting a non-rebuilt rack.

[bluptgm3]

Personally I'm also a fan of Red Line gear oils. I use their MTL in my transmission, ATF for PS, and 75W-110 for my diff.

Defiantly Red Line (RL) D4 ATF for PS, though any ATF will due if changed regularly.
RL 70W140 quieted my off throttle differential noise almost completely.
50/50 RL D4 ATF/MTL in the ‘box’ to dampen the LWT FW ‘chatter’.


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[bluptgm3]

I didn't do the knuckles/kingpins when I did mine, but I got my rack from rackdoctor (with new tie rod ends) and the OEM reservoir/hoses and flex joint from FCPEuro. It was around $100-125 for the steering lines/reservoir, flex joint, ATF, and assorted other hardware/gaskets, and $490 for a rebuilt E46 ZHP rack with new E36 ends (Z3 rack is slightly more). You can save some money on the rack by getting it someplace like Detroit Axle, or by getting a non-rebuilt rack.

What Tie Rod End came with the RD rebuilt rack?


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[TostitoBandito]

What Tie Rod End came with the RD rebuilt rack?

Since it was an E46 rack it gave me an option of the normal E46 ends, or different E36/E30 ends for people like me who are putting this rack in a different chassis. I obviously got the E36 ends, and they are OEM. Based on the price ($62) seems like they're probably Lemforder. They were identical to what was on my stock steering rack.

[visal911]

On my 99 M3 (US Spec) It says use CHF fluid only on the cap.

I was thinking of flushing out my P/S system over the winter months while the car is in storage. Is there a benefit to using ATF over the CHF fluid?