What fluid in my 2001 Grand Caravan?

Find the recommended Chrysler PS spec for your specific vehicle, most likely a 4th Gen Van it will be ATF+4. If it is NOT, then find the specific spec, like MS-5931 for example, then make sure what ever PS fluid you purchase states on the bottle it meets or exceeds that spec. Lots of PS fluid is sold over the counter saying it's good for all Chrysler, GM, Ford and Honda PS systems, but in reality they are good for PS specs of the 1970's for those manufacturers, which is NOT good enough for your 2001 PS system.

No, don't play junior engineer and think you can figure out a better PS fluid, using some loose 6 degrees to Kevin Bacon logic of how some vehicles now use ATF+4 for PS fluid, therefore I can use any ATF in my PS fluid, that will end badly, like needing a new PS rack in 40k miles. Just find the Chrysler recommended PS spec for your vehicle, either the Owners Manual or the TSB ImperialCrown just posted, and make sure what ever PS fluid you buy it specifically states it meets or exceeds that exact spec on the bottle, do NOT trust a simple "Good for all Chrysler vehicles" Statement.

mopar_doug said:

OK so now the question is, since I have replaced the steering rack with one from Advance Auto about 2 years ago do I still go by the owners manual recommendation?

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Assuming that it was a Direct Replacement Aftermarket Part, and the Part did NOT come with special instructions stating it needed different fluid then required by the manufacturer, then YES, you still use what is recommended for fluid in the owners manual.

Most of the direct replacement aftermarket parts are from the Manufacturer's suppliers, rebuilds of the actual Manufacturers Parts or the same design manufactured under license by another company. So, its safe to assume, unless it came with special instructions, it has the same requirements as the original part it is replacing.

mopar_doug said:

My manual states Chrysler power steering fluid not ATF+4.

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My owner's manuals say to use PS Fluid that meets or exceeds Chrysler Spec MS5931 or MS9933 or MS9602.

All the manufacturers change the fluid requirements for their vehicles every couple of years because of the changes in technology. And newer technology is usually more demanding on the fluid, so Chrysler Fluid that met the demand in 1970, would very likely NOT be suitable for a new vehicle that stipulates a Chrysler Spec from 2008. If the aftermarket company just states its good for Chrysler Vehicles? Well which Chrysler Vehicles? The ones from the 1970's? My Jeep Commander uses a new Chrysler Spec above the MS9602. If Chrysler doesn't use the same PS fluid in all its vehicles currently, how can an aftermarket fluid claim its fluid works in all Chrysler Vehicles?

Finally, check the TSB's, like Imperial Crown just posted, Chrysler will test and assess their newer fluids for retrofit and if they find it suitable they will publish that information in a TSB. So, a TSB later then your Owner's Manual states something different, you can go with that TSB's advice.

And for the 2001 RS platform, that TSB is confusing and you'll need a build sheet to determine if you can retrofit or NOT. If you have a replacement steering rack, unless you can find more information, you are going to have to assume, at the very least, the rest of the PS system that you did NOT replace (pump, reservour and hoses) could be the reason they did NOT recommend retrofitting to the new fluid. So I'd stick with what the TSB and Owner Manual says, despite having replaced the steering rack several years later.

mopar_doug said:

The other question is does anybody know of an equivalent to the Chrysler power steering fluid that is from a different manufacturer?

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Again, which spec Chrysler PS Fluid? I'm assuming from your previous statements, its NOT MS9602 (which is ATF+4). So, its likely MS5931 is the spec PS fluid your vehicle requires. If its NOT on the bottle, then look up the literature, it should say something to the effect, "Meets or Exceeds Chrysler spec MS5931". Then I would use it.

Bob Lincoln said:

Valvoline makes a good PS fluid that meets Chrysler requirements.

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From what I could find, Valvoline PS fluid and their MaxLife Version with StopLeak, meets Chrysler MS5931.

http://www.valvoline.com/products/consumer-products/power-steering-products/power-steering-fluid/29
http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/maxlife_psf_with_stop_leak.pdf

I believe that is what Mopar_Doug needs.

If you need MS9602, well just buy ATF+4. If you need MS9933, I haven't seen a PS fluid claiming to meet that spec, but the TSB ImperialCrown posted looks like it recommends every application calling for MS9933 can retrofit to MS9602 (ATF+4).

But the Valvoline PS Fluid would NOT meet the spec for these Chrysler vehicles. There are several Chrysler Vehicles today that use a new spec above MS9602, like my Jeep Commander, and if I bought the Valvoline Fluid, simply because it stated it is compatible with Chrysler vehicles, I would be using a fluid that did NOT meet the manufacturer's recommendations or specs. So far I have NOT found an aftermarket PS fluid that met the specs for my Jeep Commander, I had to buy the fluid from the dealer when I changed my PS fluid. If I used Valvolines fluid, its possible my PS system could have failed, if tried to have it repaired under warranty, the Dealer could deny my warranty for using fluids other then recommended by Chrysler, couldn't they?