Hello,

I have a 99 4R that has stiff steering until warm or until I drive it and turn the wheel a few times.. It starts to happen when the temp is 50 degrees or colder.

I have replaced the steering rack and lines. Pump reservoir is clean as a whistle and has new o-ring, no leaks. All steering components are new and everything is oem. The stiff steering was prominent even with the old rack during fall/winter.

The fluid in pump reservoir is spinning/circulating slowly while engine is running, no bubbles. Im not sure how much it's supposed to spin. Any idea? Slow spin or hurricane?

New synth fluid, no squeals from belt. maybe a little at full lock once in a while.

Does anyone know what the problem is? Can it actually be the pump? The belt is working and fluid is circulating..

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Thank you

It sounds like you've addressed everything possible other than the pump itself. It might be that the pump can't effectively move the fluid during colder conditions when the fluid is thicker.

Are using ATF for the fluid?

It may be a bad pump, although they typically work or they don't. They fact that it squeals at full lock tells me the belt may be a little loose or worn out. Toyotas need their belts TIGHT. The PS belts on a lot of older Toyotas also don't squeal when they aren't tight enough for some unknown reason.

Yes, using ATF Valvoline Fuel Synth

Hmmm... That belt has been on there for over 12 years. I'll look into this tomorrow.

Please provide an update when possible. Interested in hearing how this worked out for you


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@hawkcharmer , mine doing same thing @ 30* and below. New rack 5k mi. system flush pump screen clean
Belt grooves cleaned scuffed with sandpaper new belt tension gauge adjusted regular ATF Pump @ 229k mi.
It the pump, check out FSM section SR-35 clearance's in the 10,000th inch range for Vanes and Shaft
cold thicker fluid slipping by. Doing it at 50* your closer to pump end of life than me I'm a 3rd coaster
I've got miles to go yet.
If belt is not loose.