Power steering fluid

[MenzRoom]

I recently bought a 2004 Tahoe, the power steering pump whines a bit after it’s been driven for a bit. Checked the fluid levels a few times and it dawned on my last night. The fluid that’s currently in my power steering pump is red (ATF I’m assuming) I know ford used ATF a lot but shouldn’t my fluid be like a clear or yellowish color ? If it’s the wrong fluid I’m assuming this might be my problem?

 

[Marky Dissod]

I recently bought a 2004 Tahoe, the power steering pump whines a bit after it’s been driven for a bit.
Checked the fluid levels a few times and it dawned on my last night.
The fluid that’s currently in my power steering pump is red (ATF I’m assuming) I know ford used ATF a lot but shouldn’t my fluid be like a clear or yellowish color?
If it’s the wrong fluid I’m assuming this might be my problem?

When I first bought my '02 Z71 2.something years ago, I had the same issue.
In my case, when I SAW an ATF leak, I ASSUMED my 4L60E was leaking.
Turns out it was my power steering, leaking ATF.
I replaced with PSF (Prestone makes very good PSF).

It soon became very 'clear' that, in order to fix the leak, I had to replace ALL the power steering hoses.
It's more likely your leak will be fixed by replacing the leaking hoses.

 

[MenzRoom]

When I first bought my '02 Z71 2.something years ago, I had the same issue.
In my case, when I SAW an ATF leak, I ASSUMED my 4L60E was leaking.
Turns out it was my power steering, leaking ATF.
I replaced with PSF (Prestone makes very good PSF).

It soon became very 'clear' that, in order to fix the leak, I had to replace ALL the power steering hoses.
It's more likely your leak will be fixed by replacing the leaking hoses.

It doesn’t leak just whines when I make a turn after it’s heated up. My thought is maybe because it has the wrong fluid (ATF) so it doesn’t have the proper consistency? Just not 100% sure what it’s supposed to have in it. ATF or real power steering fluid

 

[Marky Dissod]

It doesn’t leak, just whines when I make a turn after it’s heated up.
My thought is maybe because it has the wrong fluid (ATF) so it doesn’t have the proper consistency? Just not 100% sure what it’s supposed to have in it.
ATF or real power steering fluid?

Then just swap out the ATF for PSF (no need for any stop-leak stuff in your PSF).