Power Steering Pump or Steering Rack? *VIDEO*

[Brian757]

happen to take any photos you can post and share?

Some say on Yotatech that they bought multiple PS pumps before they got a non-whining one. But the common problem lies in the filter screen in the pump.

Try flushing the fluid like these prior or even after you have cleaned your inline filter: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/66337-diy-power-steering-flush.html

 

[wjamyers]

now that I have this exact same whine and have read this entire thread I have a stupid question...

why wouldn't you just replace the filter rather than poking holes in it?

 

[LexusFTW]

Noticed this thread got bumped. The screen is part of the reservoir assembly and it cannot simply be replaced. I eventually ended up pulling the screen out and placing an inline filter on the low pressure hose. I haven't had any power steering issues since.

 

[wjamyers]

I get it.

Here's the part at Camelback (my goto):
1999 Toyota 4Runner Parts - Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping

At $150.00 it makes sense to try the flush first.

My local, trusted mechanic quoted me $90 to do the flush and can fit me in today. It would take me an hour or two to do myself and I'd have to wait 'til the weekend and burn my time off to do it, so, well worth the money. I'll update with results. Thanks very much.

 

[wjamyers]

My local, trusted mechanic quoted me $90 to do the flush and can fit me in today. It would take me an hour or two to do myself and I'd have to wait 'til the weekend and burn my time off to do it, so, well worth the money. I'll update with results. Thanks very much.

Aaaaand... it's fixed, driving completely normally, no whine/whirr.

Thanks very much to the OP, and T4R.org, this place is so great!

 

[wjamyers]

Aaaaand... it's fixed, driving completely normally, no whine/whirr.

Thanks very much to the OP, and T4R.org, this place is so great!

Aaaaand... it's back. The whirr returned yesterday. When they did the flush job it only took 20 mins. I think they likely didn't do the procedure outlined here, turning the wheel back and forth... thoughts on how to proceed?

Just call them up and see what they say?

 

[wjamyers]

Aaaaand... it's back. The whirr returned yesterday. When they did the flush job it only took 20 mins. I think they likely didn't do the procedure outlined here, turning the wheel back and forth... thoughts on how to proceed?

Just call them up and see what they say?

mechanic says next step is the reservoir, if that doesn't fix it, the pump/hose, and lastly, the rack.

 

[wjamyers]

and, apparently, sticky LBJs (lower ball joints) could be causing this problem, also.

just to put all my research results in one place

 

[LexusFTW]

So you have or have not pulled the screen from the reservoir?

 

[1985taylor1925]

and, apparently, sticky LBJs (lower ball joints) could be causing this problem, also.

just to put all my research results in one place

Sticky lower ball joints is not the cause of your issues. Though, if your lower ball joints have any issues you should replace them immediately.

You have already ruled out leaks by checking the fluid in the reservoir while running the truck, correct?

You would then want to rule out leaks in the steering rack. Are you having to refill fluid frequently?

If you dont have any leaks, I would start with the reservoir/pump. But I wouldnt buy new parts. Deathcougar is parting out a fairly low mileage 99 in the classifieds right now. I would get those parts from him.

 

[wjamyers]

Sticky lower ball joints is not the cause of your issues. Though, if your lower ball joints have any issues you should replace them immediately.

You have already ruled out leaks by checking the fluid in the reservoir while running the truck, correct?

You would then want to rule out leaks in the steering rack. Are you having to refill fluid frequently?

If you dont have any leaks, I would start with the reservoir/pump. But I wouldnt buy new parts. Deathcougar is parting out a fairly low mileage 99 in the classifieds right now. I would get those parts from him.

No i haven't. Is there a write-up on that somewhere?

 

[1985taylor1925]

No i haven't. Is there a write-up on that somewhere?

Its fairly simple. Turn the truck on and pull the cap off the power steering reservoir. Have someone turn the steering wheel side to side as you watch the fluid to see if there are bubbles or a foamy appearance coming from the fluid. It should look clean

 

[ATX4Yota]

Its fairly simple. Turn the truck on and pull the cap off the power steering reservoir. Have someone turn the steering wheel side to side as you watch the fluid to see if there are bubbles or a foamy appearance coming from the fluid. It should look clean

I don't have any noise coming from the PS pump but bubbles do form on the top of the fluid in the reservoir. There isn't ANY fluid of any sort leaking from the engine compartment. I just bought my Runner a couple weeks ago, so no clue how the PS is supposed to feel at the wheel. Just thought it seemed a bit hard to steer. I'm used to one-handed steering/turning in a '08 Tundra Crewmax.

Thoughts or suggestions? How much ATF does the PS system hold if I was to do a flush?

 

[Ickus1321]

New Rack & Pinion AND reservoir rebuild: leak and noise, still!!!

Hey ya'll,

I have a 2000 SR5 V6

I am having a hard time with my power steering. I have replaced the rack and pinion with a brand new one from Rockauto:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...1,steering,rack+and+pinion+complete+unit,7388
$279.99

And a OEM rebuild reservoir.

The first time this all was pieced together, I used regular steering fluid and made a rookie mistake (dang it!). My power steering made ridiculous noise and leaked and made a mess.

I went back to the drawing table and did a power steering flush and replaced the power steering with Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak and Valvoline Maxlife ATF DEX/MERC LV.

My steering stopped the "sticky" spots and is much smoother, however, the power steering still makes noise in idle, acceleration, and turning. I have been keeping an eye on the rack & pinion and the leak is not just a leak put splashes or squirts toward the transmission. It's not draining the reservoir.

The reservoir is clean and while its running there is no bubbles,.

When I run the engine I hear the noise from the reservoir (doesn't make sense)
The leak is coming from the rack & pinion.

Any ideas/suggestions for solving this issue?

Ickus

 

[4'running'26]

I'm resurrecting this as I have what seems to be the same noise as the OP had. If I'm gathering all of the responses correctly, my best course of action is to first take off the screen and clean it?

 

[sphen7400]

same issue

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

Im having the same issue https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3NiZ0uIA80&feature=youtu.be after poking holes in resevior did you have any issues?

 

[mtbtim]

A good cleaning of the reservoir screen will most likely fix this issue. The whining sound is due to the rack being starved of fluid.

In the video below we run the pump to move the fluid through the system for the flush but we have since learned that you can effectively move the fluid by simply turning the wheels back and forth with the pump off.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k61KXRK8bM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[LittleCaesar]

I have found that most Toy ps pumps along with Hondas need to have the top off and allow the bubbles to settle in the reservoir for at least 15 to 20 minutes. If they don’t settle, flush again and wait.

Maxlife ATF has worked well for me. As [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] stated, you can flush the line with KOEO.

Fix it angle does a flush. I wouldn’t fill it in his manor but YMMV:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ORiVaFolqS4

 

[sphen7400]

Followed

A good cleaning of the reservoir screen will most likely fix this issue. The whining sound is due to the rack being starved of fluid.

In the video below we run the pump to move the fluid through the system for the flush but we have since learned that you can effectively move the fluid by simply turning the wheels back and forth with the pump off.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k61KXRK8bM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

So back story, prior to doing this when i would turn the wheel it felt like the tires where skipping, Then I followed the video above, And now left with this issue. I went to pick a part and pulled another reservoir off, while i was cleaning it out i Noticed that someone poked a hole in it, made me think someone was having the same issue?

 

[mtbtim]

So back story, prior to doing this when i would turn the wheel it felt like the tires where skipping, Then I followed the video above, And now left with this issue. I went to pick a part and pulled another reservoir off, while i was cleaning it out i Noticed that someone poked a hole in it, made me think someone was having the same issue?

Yep, somebody was lazy. You could simply clean your original reservoir and install it or, you could use an in-line filter. On my 98, i decided to add a Magnefine in-line filter in the return line to the reservoir. You simply cut a short section of hose out and install the filter. I use the same filter in the return line for my auto trans. My thinking is with an in-line filter, I'll never have to clean out that reservoir screen again but I will have to renew the filter around every 30k miles. You'll have to pull the air filter box every time you change the filter, but as you know, it's not that hard to do.

Here's the filter I'm talking about:

*Magnefine 3/8" Magnetic In-line Transmission Filter
Amazon.com: Magnefine 3/8" Magnetic Inline Transmission/Power Steering Filter: Automotive