Question about changing tie rods

[(Yoshi)]

Hey I am getting spl tie rods and with new dust boots. When I pulled my old ones a bunch of fluid leaked. Was that steering gear oil or just power steering fluid? Sorry if this is a lame question, Im just curious. Would I need to replace the lost fluid?

Thanks

[94_240sx]

Was it red? If so, it's power steering fluid.

[(Yoshi)]

no it was brown. The power steering fluid I put in my car before was clear

[naed240sx]

If it was inside the boot, it must be PS fluid. Probably was brown because it was dirty. You probably have a leaking rack.

[Red coupe]

no it was brown. The power steering fluid I put in my car before was clear

Well the steering system on S13s (and I would assume S14's...check the manual) deffinatly take ATF and not power steering fluid...

Otherwise I'm with dean that its likely leaking from the rack....Is ATF more viscous then PS? Hopefully its just leaking because the fluid is too thin, though I don't know what kind of damage PS fluid could do to the rack/lines/pump/seals.

[94_240sx]

Well the steering system on S13s (and I would assume S14's...check the manual) deffinatly take ATF and not power steering fluid...

Hmm... Dealership gave me 2 bottles of Nissan OEM Power Steering fluid and that's what I used on mine. It was red w/stinky smell. When I drained old fluid, it was red too. Should I flush the system and use ATF? I'm okay with that since one of the hoses needs to be replaced.

[Red coupe]

Are you SURE it was PS fluid?

ATF is redish pink also, and they COULD have labed it AFT/PS knowing that its for nissans, and that they use ATF? Seems a little wierd though...

Id like to think the Nissan deal would be smart enough to give you the right stuff...But so many different cars use do so many different things its hard to say...and parts guys definitely are not perfect.

But straight from the FSM: "Recommended fluid is Automatic Transmission Fluid 'Dexron II' type"

[naed240sx]

Werd, but it doesn't really matter that much. You can run atf or ps. Both are hydralic fluids and will do the job.

Personally I use some expensive synthetic atf stuff, because I want all the boiling and breakdown protection I can get because drifting events stress the hell out of ps systems.