For those that HAVE replaced your PS fluid
 

What fluid did ya'll use ? I will assume a majority who have probably used M1 ATF ? Any changes with your new fluid ?

I have done about 4 reservoir drain/refill with Amsoil Synthetic ATF. It was about a quart even with the 4 drains/refills.

Since then, the PS feels too boosted.
I'm getting noise from the pump when the car is cold, and even when the car is warm, regardless if I turn the steering wheel lock to lock, if I even turn it 3oclock clockwise or 9oclock counterclockwise, I get a noise from the rack....I can hear it with the windows down.

Due to the boosted steering, steering feedback, floatiness is felt through the steering wheel. I wouldn't imagine that the Amsoil be cause THAT much of a change....


Looking for some of your feedback.
Otherwise....I'm gonna have to dig around and found out what the castrol dex III spec OEM fluid is and start all over.

What does your manual say???

I don't think it's listed in the manual but the spec is Dex III - I assume the OEM is Castrol Dex III.

Just for the X5 archives, if anyone ever searches this thread.
The OEM IS Castrol Dex III.

I'm gonna have to find a store that stocks this as the local shop only had the Castrol had the Multi Vehicle Castrol.

Is this synthetic?

By Motordavid

"Dexron III...
several mfg'ers/packagers make it under
various brand labels.

The BeamER Stlrs I've seen sell "BMW"
brand, and Castrol.

All the same stuff, methinks...DexronIII
is the deal"

Thanks for the blurb MD.

The Castrol Dex III is probably not synthetic.
The Amsoil is.

MD, I know you mentioned at one point that you do the baster swap with M1 ATF. Any moaning or grinding (xcuse the wording) from your steering rack ?

The only moaning and groaning around our house is due to...


me climbing the umptyseven levels of fookin stairs we have back
in our NC Mtn House. :rofl:

Not a peep from my power steering or steering rack after my T Baster
refill. Course, I haven't driven the X in 5 months as it's sleeping back
in my garage there on the Mtn. But, when I migrated, it was running
fine. I just couldn't see getting hung up on the exact brand of PS fluid
and I've read nothing but raves on the M1 syn ATF.

I'm sure your fill will be fine: cleaner "any kind" is better than the old
orig., imo.
BR,mD

You can't get the oem fluid from the dealer??

Vig...me or, the Chef?

ahh should've been more specific...the Chef.

Going to the dealer is a trek...
I don't even go for oil changes....

I would go if I needed *bmw* antifreeze but I would think the PS*atf* would be just regular 'old dex III. Surprisingly enough, I'm just having some slight incomptabilies with my top dollar ATF.

Going to pick up the Castrol Dex III at the local parts store and maybe as the oil cap says *Castrol recommend* and it will just play nice with the PS system.

I got some Dexron III under Chevron private label and it works fine.

lol!!! :rofl:

The Dex III did the trick. I just changed it out again and did 2 reservoir drain/refills with regular Petro. Castrol Dex III and the firmness on the steering wheel is back and the moaning and squeaking for the most part is gone. I'm still getting a little bit when turning full left or right......but I just changed the fluid but we shall see over time.

As crazy as it sounds....I kinda like the boosted PS with the Amsoil *minus the noise issues* for around the town driving. Tight Parking, etc....it was alot more fluid on the steering wheel.

Heh, maybe I just order myself a bottle of RP ATF and see it's a *medium* between the Amsoil ATF I put in and the Castrol Dex III. Not too firm, not too loose.

Walmart carries Castrol Dex III. Is there a step by step on how to drain and change Power Steering Fluid?

Junster.....YMMV but only Mobil 1 worked for me.

It's easy. Just take a turkey baster, and remove as much as you can.
Add till the line and then take a 5 minute drive.
If you choose to do it again, after the 5 minute drive, everything should be circulated.


Or you can just choose to do it every day when you get home *assuming you drive to work) for the next 3-5 days.

That's what I did, easy and bullet proof method. The old fluid was dark red not cherry red. I didn't have any problem before or after the procedure.

Now, as far as the fluid, check with your part dept at the dealer. My dealer told me to get Dextron III for my 2002 X5 4.4i. They don't carry the Dextron III PS fluid unless it's other BMW model which requires more "exotic" type of fluid. Better be safe than sorry.

I believe it's Dexron III not Dextron. Castrol ATF Dexron III -- There's actually Dexron IV now but I went with Dexron III.

I just did it and its day one. 4 more days.