If the truck is cold, like real cold (air temp near freezing) the power steering is very tight and has a whine. If I start the truck up and let it warm up for 5 minutes or so, the tightness and whine go away. It has been like this for a while, for the life of me I don't know what the issue is, if there is one? In the warmer months I barely notice it at all. Totally irrelevant, today I went to the car wash, when I put the truck in neutral and let it go through the car wash rails (where you place it and the automatic washer does its thing.) The second I got done with the wash, my steering felt like it was about to seize up. 2 minutes later it was fine. My fluid levels are fine, the correct color. I'm at a complete loss? I have not done a fluid flush. I wasn't sure if it was necessary if i'm not leaking any fluid and the fluid colors are how they are supposed to be.

Any insight would be appreciated.

-Joe

I’d recommend removing the power steering reservoir and cleaning the screen in it, then flushing your power steering fluid (automatic transmission fluid Dexron 3 equivalent). It’s probably a combination of old fluid that’s absorbed moisture from the air and a restricted reservoir screen. I’d replace the reservoir o ring as well 90301-11016

Thanks BL. Is it a complicated job, for someone not terribly handy?

Then if it still noisy after all the air out of it with the screen clean. Slightly increase the amount of fluid. If it quiets down and above the full line.. I suspect the power steering is warn some.

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Also, is this something that is critical at the moment, or more of a nuisance?

As a former service advisor/tech, I would put this on the "needs attention" list, meaning you should plan to do it sooner, rather than later. A clogged screen can lead to premature pump, or rack failure. It's a 1 hour job, maybe 2 if you really take your time.

Pretty easy job, but I’m also a mechanic lol mtbtim has a good video on the whole ordeal: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/2881368-post422.html

It’s somewhere between critical and can wait a few months. The sooner the better, but you can still drive it in the meantime.

Thanks guys, i found these 2 video's as well as Timmy's. They make it look fairly uncomplicated. Now I just need a day above freezing to do it so I don't freeze my nuts off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75iz...breakerbroke23

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75iz...breakerbroke23

Could be a loose power steering pump belt.
That might explain why it did it after the car wash.

The power steering fluid should be red.

The screen has to be clean or the pump will be severely damaged. Then replaced or rebuilding the pump will be required.

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I had a severe PSP whine a couple weeks ago and flushing + cleaning the reservoir with 2 cans of brake cleaner + rebuilding the original pump with new seals (Gates 348376) did the trick. Follow the FSM for bleeding instructions:

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Don't lower the truck like it says to. Keep it jacked up when bleeding the system lock to lock with the engine running. Also leave the cap off and repeat every 15 mins so the bubbles settle. Also its an amazing time to check the 12-6 and 9-3 movement on the front wheels. I discovered my passenger inner tie rod is shot and will need to replace it later but my LBJ's are still tight despite grease leakage.

+ 1 on cleaning out the screen. It's pretty easy with a siphon or maybe even a turkey baster. This is what I got: Amazon.com: Slippery Pete Fluid Pump for QUART BOTTLES - Transfer Gear Oil, Transmission and Differential Fluid With This 5cc Hand Pump (NOT FOR Red Line Quarts!) (1) : Automotive

When I replaced my PS hoses, I pumped out the fluid in the reservoir and I saw black chunky flakes getting siphoned. My guess is that's what you have as well. Tbh, it shouldn't take long to do. Just pump out as much as you can, maybe even refill the reservoir a few times to repeat the cycle.

Mine did the same, only in really cold (20s here) and only for about 20 seconds.

So i did an experiment using an old turkey baster. Just suck out what you can and replace with fresh, each time turning engine on and moving steering wheel for a few seconds to let fluid mix, then repeat, say about 5 times.

Now you'll have about a pint of fluid that looks something like this, so dark, not even full sunlight goes thru it.

Result, no more whine or grinding noises, do this once a year and it'll be fine. Luck.

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Did you clean the filter in the reservoir?

I'm looking to do a PS flush and change and might pull the pump to R&R it all before adding new fluid or just doing a fluid swap.

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No. I figured I'd try the lazyman's approach first, if it worked, well it worked. If not, then time to dig deeper as you say do the full flush and filter cleaning. Its happy, for now.