Power Steering Fluid Loss

[sport2004]

After just fixing a brake problem a few weeks ago...now a failure in the PS system.

When arriving home today after a short drive, I detected a very slight whining sound, enough to turn off the radio, listen with the windows open. Really couldn't hear anything continuous and pulled into the driveway.

Later, I noticed a large red drip on the ground, right side, front, not all the way to the radiator. Dark red in color. Popped the hood, looked underneath, could see signs of leak of course, but had no clue...that is until is saw the PS fluid reservoir was completely empty.

So, the leak occurred when I was almost home, pulled in the driveway and the fluid leaked completely out. I assume at this time I have no steering.

Can anyone venture a guess/clue me in, on what the service tech is going to tell me tomorrow? The good, the bad, the ugly...?

 

[lightfreak]

Hopefully the hard lines are just leaking from corrosion but you probably should have noticed dripping before it went empty. Simple swap and not very expensive.
Cross your fingers the steering rack is still ok. Costs a few hundred for a rebuilt unit. PS pump is about $75 for an aftermarket one.

 

[sport2004]

Thanks!

I detected no fluid leak, and I always check. Left the driveway, returned about 20 minutes later, again I would have seen a leak on the concrete when I returned, IF it had been leaking when I left. Then a few hours later, the PS steering had leaked out.

I can get a tow at no cost, but could I attempt to drive without crashing or damaging anything else? I would think not.

 

[sport2004]

I looked at my copy of Haynes. Doesn't look like replacing the pump is much of a job, remove the drive belt then on to the pump. If that is the worse of it, may not be as bad or ugly as I feared...?

 

[radlynx]

Thanks!

I detected no fluid leak, and I always check. Left the driveway, returned about 20 minutes later, again I would have seen a leak on the concrete when I returned, IF it had been leaking when I left. Then a few hours later, the PS steering had leaked out.

I can get a tow at no cost, but could I attempt to drive without crashing or damaging anything else? I would think not.

get it towed. driving it with no fluid could damage the steering rack costing you more repair bills.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[sport2004]

get it towed. driving it with no fluid could damage the steering rack costing you more repair bills.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Thanks...

Hopefully, once I get it back to reliability, will be able to spend some money on something that's more fun...!

 

[sport2004]

Follow up on this PS issue, another thread to start on PS problem part II.

Anyway, was just a rupture lower down in the return line. Very cheap fix.

They just piggy-backed the new hose over the old one, as seen. They also replaced the clamps.

Thanks for lookin...

No problems, until: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/262533-power-steering-problem-part-ii.html#post3117699