Power Steering Pump or Steering Rack? *VIDEO*

[LexusFTW]

I've been experience what I think is morning sickness for the past couple of weeks. Today it happened to snow about 6" and my 4Runner is now a little harder to turn and it's making a whining noise constantly.

I've read the whine is the rack and I should replace it but I've also seen instaces where people say it's the pump. What do you guys think?

99 4Runner Limited 4WD Power Steering Noise - YouTube

 

[nevada]

I've been experience what I think is morning sickness for the past couple of weeks. Today it happened to snow about 6" and my 4Runner is now a little harder to turn and it's making a whining noise constantly.

I've read the whine is the rack and I should replace it but I've also seen instaces where people say it's the pump. What do you guys think?

99 4Runner Limited 4WD Power Steering Noise - YouTube

first, did you check the fluid?

if its indeed full and making this noise, it may just need flushed.
suction out as much of the old fluid that you can and replace it with new.
drive it for a few miles, and do it again. it may take several times to get it all flushed out.

if that doesn't help, I would say the pump is bad.

but, honestly I haven't seen a bad Toyota PS pump yet. likely it just needs fresh fluid.

 

[Brian757]

I've been experience what I think is morning sickness for the past couple of weeks.

boy or girl?

Oh, and that sounds like a bad power steering pump. Your steering rack won't show symptoms until you touch that steering wheel. And it won't be at the location you aim the camera at.

To elaborate, I wouldn't just replace the power steering pump. That will be your last option.
I would:
Check PS fluid (Which should be ATF fluid-If automatic)(Shouldn't be PS fluid)
Check the quality of your PS belt

 

[LexusFTW]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. The fluid is at a normal level and the belt looks fine. I'll flush the fluid and report back.

 

[Brian757]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. The fluid is at a normal level and the belt looks fine. I'll flush the fluid and report back.

Does the sound come from the location you posted in the video? The power steering reservoir.
Don't flush your fluid until we eliminate some other factors, por favor.

Can you run your truck for a little, and then quickly check the PS reservoir for air bubbles or foaming?
With hard turning, it sounds like your either low on fluid, or your pump is crapping out.

Here is a video of someone replacing/repairing the filter inside of the PS pump. The clogged filter is the reason behind the whining:
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[amalik]

sorry for the ignorance here but wouldn't a bad steering rack have a lot more SIGNS of being bad than just a little 'hard' to turn? Maybe like NOT being able to turn at all?

like other said -- seems to me like ps belt, ps fluid, ps pump.

 

[LexusFTW]

Does the sound come from the location you posted in the video? The power steering reservoir.
Don't flush your fluid until we eliminate some other factors, por favor.

Can you run your truck for a little, and then quickly check the PS reservoir for air bubbles or foaming?
With hard turning, it sounds like your either low on fluid, or your pump is crapping out.

I started the truck and checked the fluid, it's foamy/bubbly. I also sprayed some soapy water on the belt, no change in noise. See attached pic

 

[LexusFTW]

Cleaned the pump, fixed.

 

[LexusFTW]

Cleaned the pump, fixed.

Looks like I spoke too soon. I cleaned the filter in the reservoir and the power steering worked perfectly. No noise and drove great for about an hour last night. I started the truck up this evening and the same symptoms are back and there's no power steering. What could this mean? Is it likely the filter is clogged again?

 

[jmildoc]

Thats strange, but I am going to try the cleaning option because mine has been whining for about a month now.

 

[threadlessclimber]

Spilt ATF on the belt could cause the belt to slip.

 

[Brian757]

Looks like I spoke too soon. I cleaned the filter in the reservoir and the power steering worked perfectly. No noise and drove great for about an hour last night. I started the truck up this evening and the same symptoms are back and there's no power steering. What could this mean? Is it likely the filter is clogged again?

Or your continuously getting air in your system, which would signify a leak. It could be where your power steering pump meets your steering rack. How does the rack look?

I don't mean to sound all over the place with the diagnostic, I'm just trying to eliminate some variables.

 

[LexusFTW]

The belt is not slipping and ALL of the noise is coming from the pump. I'm going to take a look at the rack today after work Brian. If there was a leak, would I be losing fluid? Since I'm not losing fluid, is there a place in the system that would only allow air to get in and fluid not to get out?

 

[BlazeRunner]

Air could be coming into the system without leaking from any of the connections in the system. I had that same problem and it was where my pump attached to the high pressure line, no leak but it was taking in air and causing problems. Tightened it up, bled the system and done.

 

[LexusFTW]

Air could be coming into the system without leaking from any of the connections in the system. I had that same problem and it was where my pump attached to the high pressure line, no leak but it was taking in air and causing problems. Tightened it up, bled the system and done.

I used the original gasket for the pressure line. I'll get new gaskets today and tighten it back down.

 

[LexusFTW]

Update: I replaced the rack, power steering pump, PS pressure hose.

I bled the system and the power steering worked GREAT! I let the truck sit overnight and started it in the morning. The PS pump whines and after a while of driving around, I have no power steering. I'm at a complete loss. It's doing the exact same thing as it did before I replaced everything! I'm now on my second pump and cannot figure out what to do next.

I don't see any signs of leaks. The only thing I haven't changed was the fluid. I've been using cheap supertech ATF. Maybe I should flush it with some synthetic ATF. I wouldn't think the fluid would make a difference.

Also, after driving it without power steering yesterday for a few miles I parked it in the garage for a couple of hours. I came back out to look at the steering system again and started the truck up. To my surprise, I had power steering again and no noise from the pump. I didn't do anything other than let it sit. Could this be temperature related? This morning it was 20 degrees in the garage.

 

[LexusFTW]

Last night I once again vacuumed the filter screen but instead of leaving it in place, I punched holes through it. Problem solved. Pump is quiet and power steering works great. I'm guessing the screen wasn't allowing the fluid to flow until the fluid was warmed up. I refilled with the same cheap fluid. I may install an inline filter but after dealing with this for almost 4 weeks, I'm going to take a break.

This was the most frustrating issue I've had with my 4Runner. At least I now have a brand new power steering system and I replaced the LBJs while I was in there.

 

[Qyota]

Interesting! How did you punch holes without creating mesh particles/pieces in the fluid?

 

[coues7]

Bump for info. I'm not punching hole in my screen but I'm wondering if I need to replace my rack. I have replaced the fluid in my system, rebuilt the pump and finally replaced the pump with a new one and still having whining sounds

 

[hrt4me]

Last night I once again vacuumed the filter screen but instead of leaving it in place, I punched holes through it. Problem solved. Pump is quiet and power steering works great. I'm guessing the screen wasn't allowing the fluid to flow until the fluid was warmed up. I refilled with the same cheap fluid.

happen to take any photos you can post and share?