94 V-6 Power Steering pump problems

[edtheshark]

I'm having some problems with my power steering pump on my 94 V-6 4WD 4-Runner, it had been leaking thru a fitting under the battery that I was trying to get at when I think it was run dry. It is now making a whirling sound and does so even when there is fluid in it. I'm assuming it is the bearing going bad and wanted to know how to proceed. This is the first time I've had to really work on the pump even though it has +215,000 miles on it, I don't have a manual. How do I get it off and would it be cheaper and/or easier to buy the parts (ie:bearing, seal kits, etc) or just to buy a new pump?

Eddie

 

[Sepacal]

I recently had to replace the PS pump on my 90 3.0 4runner, it wasn't particularly hard. Just disconnect the pressure hoses, and there's a couple bolts that mount it in there. The only problem I had was that there is a small two pronged piece called the vacuum relay or something that bolts into the pump, and the plastic tips of it had become brittle over the years. It broke off and I had to buy it from the dealership, which more than doubled the entire cost of replacing the pump.

Hope some of this helps.

 

[edtheshark]

Not really, did you buy a rebuilt pump? Does it come with the gasket for the reservoir or do you have to buy that separately? Were you able to salvage the air valve, how easy are they to break?

 

[Sepacal]

Yes the pump was a re-manufactured pump from NAPA, with Gasket for the reservoir. The vacuum relay part wasn't salvageable, one prong broke off in the vacuum line and didn't leave enough to put a hose clamp on. I didn't want to get one off a junker because I figured I'd risk having the same problem. I'd suggest identifying that part immediately and if it seems like its got a lot of build up on it maybe just cut the vacuum lines of at the tip of the prongs, they aren't long and the vacuum lines (at least in mine) had a bit of slack. And vacuum lines are cheap to replace anyway. Either way the vacuum lines need to be removed before you take out the pump. I wasn't able to find that part new from anywhere but the dealership, and being the dealership they charged about $110 for that little part.

You may want to call around to parts stores in your area and just get a quote on the pump, ask if it comes with a gasket and if not how much it costs to get the gasket. I like NAPA for parts personally. If you have the Haynes or Chiltons or whatever it may also be helpful, though sometimes those things make stuff more confusing.

 

[Sepacal]

BTW, my thinking on cutting the vacuum lines off the tips of the prongs is that it would be easier to remove get the remaining bits of vacuum line off the prongs once you take it out of the engine bay. Not much room in there for what is apparently (at least in my case) somewhat of a delicate operation.

Just in case that part of my previous reply was unclear.