10-28-2013, 06:58 PM
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#1
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Join Date: Oct 2013
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Power Steering Rack Failure?
Hi all,
Driving home from the mountains yesterday on I-70 lost power steering in 2003 4Runner V8. Fluid level is fine. I can barely turn when braking or stopped. When accelerating I can turn with relative ease. Went to mechanic today and:
- No leaks.
- Pump is pumping.
- Revving engine does not help.
- No noises, grinding, squeals, etc.
They said I needed a rack replacement. Most of the symptoms for rack replacement seem to be leaks, loose steering or grinding. Does anyone know of a case where the rack fails with tight steering symptoms but no leaks.
Note: someone put the blue fluid in instead of the ATF which everyone recommends, but my mechanic felt that wouldn't cause this problem.
Thanks!
Tony
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10-28-2013, 09:52 PM
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#2
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Join Date: Sep 2010
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Real Name: Rob B.
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I don't have a real clear cut answer for you, but let me ask this...
Was your fluid reservoir low enough where you may have been on a steep enough grade to cause the pump to suck in a little air?
If so, put the front of the truck on jack stands and while running turn from lock to lock a few times and look for any air bubbles in the reservoir. Keep turning the wheels until there aren't any bubbles. If you still have the issue I'd start looking at the rack more closely and even double check that the pump is pumping adequately.
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10-29-2013, 11:35 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
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Thanks for the tip! The reservoir was full - right at max warm level. The mechanic ran the engine with the cap of the reservoir off and looked in with a flashlight and saw that the fluid was moving from the pump. They revved the engine and tried to turn the steering wheel in place and no change.
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10-29-2013, 11:46 AM
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#4
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: washington
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tony303
Hi all,
Driving home from the mountains yesterday on I-70 lost power steering in 2003 4Runner V8. Fluid level is fine. I can barely turn when braking or stopped. When accelerating I can turn with relative ease. Went to mechanic today and:
- No leaks.
- Pump is pumping.
- Revving engine does not help.
- No noises, grinding, squeals, etc.
They said I needed a rack replacement. Most of the symptoms for rack replacement seem to be leaks, loose steering or grinding. Does anyone know of a case where the rack fails with tight steering symptoms but no leaks.
Note: someone put the blue fluid in instead of the ATF which everyone recommends, but my mechanic felt that wouldn't cause this problem.
Thanks!
Tony
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that's strange.
those 2 sentences contradict each other.
I have seen racks fail, without leaking.
IF the pump is working, theres really not much left that it can be. maybe an obstruction in the line?
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1985 pickup : EFI 331/4r70W-Dana 300-42 TSL SXII's/raceline beadlocks-30spl longs-5.29's-spools-sky Hi steer-OBA/4g tank-10.5k RR winch-dual blue tops-200 amp alt-flatbed.
1985 4runner sr5 : 22RE/5spd-6" pro-comp suspension-37 BFG at's-5.29 gears-Badlands Basher bumper-8.5k RR winch.
2006 4runner v8 limited : stock. Build Thread YouTube Channel
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10-29-2013, 11:51 AM
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#5
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Join Date: Jan 2011
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Real Name: Nathan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tony303
Thanks for the tip! The reservoir was full - right at max warm level. The mechanic ran the engine with the cap of the reservoir off and looked in with a flashlight and saw that the fluid was moving from the pump. They revved the engine and tried to turn the steering wheel in place and no change.
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There is a little screen (filter) on the pressure side line in the rack, it could get plugged. if increased RPM does not help but it steers better under acceleration, it is likely it is just easier because of the weight transfer to the rear of the vehicle during acceleration. the weight shifts off the front steering wheels to the back making them momentarily easier to turn.
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10-29-2013, 12:29 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TOY2G
There is a little screen (filter) on the pressure side line in the rack, it could get plugged. if increased RPM does not help but it steers better under acceleration, it is likely it is just easier because of the weight transfer to the rear of the vehicle during acceleration. the weight shifts off the front steering wheels to the back making them momentarily easier to turn.
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That sounds about like what I am feeling when I drive it. Is it possible to unclog/replace the filter instead of replacing the rack?
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10-29-2013, 12:48 PM
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#7
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Real Name: Nathan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tony303
That sounds about like what I am feeling when I drive it. Is it possible to unclog/replace the filter instead of replacing the rack?
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It can be possible, I did it on my black one. I was working at a dealer at the time and i had them do a flush afterward. Now... mine was not blocked all the way like yours it was just getting where it was harder to turn standing still.
since i did not do the work, i do not know how he cleaned the screen, I suspect he just pulled the lines at the rack and cleaned them with some sort of brake cleaner. then hooked them back up and did the flush. once you undo the lines at the rack you may be able to clean it pretty easy.
Also worth mentioning...if the center seal goes bad in a rack you can get the same results as you are having
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10-29-2013, 03:59 PM
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#8
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The pump could also be weak, just because fluid moves in the reservoir doesn't mean the pump is producing enough pressure on the output side. I'm trying to figure out what it could be and how to properly diagnose it as the center seal could also cause a similar issue. Anyone ever done a pressure test on a P/S Pump before? (I don't remember if I was taught to do that to be honest)
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02-11-2019, 04:12 PM
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#9
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So I have no mechanical proof of this, but when I was wheeling in the snow a year or so back, with my 37's I believe I cooked my oil because It turned black, it spit a little out under the cap and I basically lost power steering. It would surge in and out a little on the way home on the freeway.
A mechanic friend told me that it was probably the end seals leaking.
I replace the rack and installed a cooler inline. Don't seem to have any trouble now.
Just my experience.
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Mark
04 V8 SE, RST Twin stick conversion. 4x4 Labs rear bumper, SW Sliders & Bullbar, ARB Locked F&R, 5.39’s, Smittybilt 10,000lb winch, 1.5 4Crawler BL, Flowmaster, CB and 2m/70cm Ham, Sat. Radio, CO2 system, Lightforce, African Outback Rack, Budbuilt, Front Runner RTT. Rock Solid Toys Solid axles, Atlas Crawl Case, 40" Cooper STT Pro's on Fuel Anza D116 beadlocks, 5:38 gear set, ADS Coilovers.
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