Power Steering Diagnoses Needed

[Hollis]

Hi All,

It has been a while since I have been on (which is good = No issues).

Taking a left hand turn the other day and the steering wheel did not want to return to the 12 o'clock position. It seemed to get 'sticky' in the 10:30-ish spot.

It does this all the time now but only on left turns, not on right hand turns. No noises, no clicks, no squeaks, no nothing. PS (ATF) Fluid is full.

For background: currently 244,000 miles. Full front end rebuild at 210,000 (Both BJs, All tie rods, end links, etc..), PS fluid flush at 215,000 (with ATF), I also changed the roller adjustment piece for the solid piece in the Rack & Pinion stiffness adjuster (sorry for not using the right terms) at 200,000. 3" suspension lift at 200,000.

No work has been done recently that would effect the Power Steering.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[Hollis]

Bump TTT

 

[LittleCaesar]

If it were me, I'd jack up the 4runner, start it and have someone turn the wheel from side to side. See if anything is binding. It may be internal and time for a new rack.

I know BrianSD changed out the roller piece some time ago, never got it work well for him and went back to the factory set up (I think, maybe he could chime in).

 

[jeremyc74]

I'd check for binding first, as mentioned above, but it sounds like a problem with the rack.

When you turn the wheel it twists this small torsion bar down by the pinion gear, that let fluid flow through a spool valve in the proper direction, and pushes the cylinder in the rack back and forth.

What is likely happening is the fluid is bypassing internally in the spool valve, and not putting return force on it, or it's bypassing the seals in the rack itself.

I'd guess a new steering rack is in your future.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I also changed the roller adjustment piece for the solid piece in the Rack & Pinion stiffness adjuster

That was going to be my suggestion . And for the record, it's a steering rack guide, but we all know on the street it's officially known as the "solid rolling steering rack thing-a-ma-bob".

Only other things it could be that I could think of are:

1. Air in the power steering system (would be odd since you haven't worked on it)
2. Back steering rack. Normally you can see leaking from the boots or your power steering reservoir slowly going down though.

Are you sure the guide is not too tight? I was surprised on how loose I had to set mine before the steering was how I wanted it. It's not about to fall out on me but it seems like it at the time when I was adjusting it.

Also, have you checked your tie rods recently?

 

[Hollis]

Thanks all. I was hoping someone would guide me to a less expensive part.
I will jack it up and see if it binds with no load.
I still have the old Rack Roller Guide just in case but will loosen the slider up a tad first and see if there is bind there.

"I'd guess a new steering rack is in your future." - Nooooooo!

I have not checked anything except the fluid and for leaks and I see no leaks. I was hoping to get some good insight before I dive in which I have now.

 

[Hollis]

So I got underneath it and backed the steering rack guide off just off a tad and it is all fixed. Thanks for the help.

I wonder why it would 'tighten up' over time. Maybe the seals wearing in the rack?

 

[gamefreakgc]

Glad it worked!

Who knows why it tightened up again, makes no sense but then again our steering system on the 4Runners is a little wonky anyway.