Well, I was trying to figure out why i had sooo much freeplay in my steering wheel, a good 3 inches of movement before i get some resistance in the steering wheel. Well, I take the dipstick out of the power steering box and it's about half empty, so I grab a bottle of Power steering fluid and fill it up. Then I go to consult my Mazda shop manual on information about the steering, and it says to use ATF in the Power Steering?!? Could the little power steering fluid I put in (3-4 ounces) do damage? I don't think I could make it much worse anyways.

 

ATF go figure...... My dad put power steering fluid in mine... nothing wrong with it other than the fact it leaks.

 

Power steering fluid is not a lubricant

 

Power steering fluid is a hydraulic fluid used by the power steering pump, similar to brake fluid... But if I'm not mistaken (I don't have PS in my car), the thingie where the dipstick goes IS where you add the power steering fluid...

And your free play is likely your box needing adjustment or your steering linkage bushings.

 

ATF and power steering fluid are the same thing, except ATF is cheaper.