Power Steering Pump or Steering Rack? *VIDEO*

[sphen7400]

New issue

So I fixed the issue before, found out that the o ring in the reservoir ripped when I was putting it back in and allowing air into the system and then fluid dump after it was sitting. Now I'm still have the same issue in the video, the pulley freezes and slows down when I'm turning the wheel, you guys think the pump is bad? Tension on the belt is sufficient

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnfbPQNbh2Q&feature=youtu.be

 

[HiLife]

I would blast the pulleys with brake cleaner to make sure they are clean. And change all your belts.

 

[DreadPirateJon]

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.

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Hey Tim, quick question. Why did you do the flush before cleaning the screen?

 

[CraigP3]

Adding my 2 cents....
I have a 2000 4Runner Limited with 165,000 miles 3.4L V6
I don't think the power steering fluid had ever been changed.
At 160,000 I decided to do the main internal cam belt, tensioners, water pump, hoses and belts. Engine quiet and running great!
But I had belt squeal which I had never dealt with before and new belts?
I thought the new belts would stop the squeal?
No it didn't we took a long 1,600 mile trip everything ran great but the power steering seemed weak and I had to fight the steering a bit and belt squeal when 1 starting the 4Runner and when turning sharply.
1st thought maybe the pump was bad so I purchased a brand new power steering pump from Rockauto $80 when we returned home.
NOTE: Rockauto has brand new pumps WITH A BRAND NEW RESERVOIR for $120. To my surprise the new Power Steering pump did not fix it, puzzling to me was the squealing had changed so I did some more research which lead me to this post.
I decided to clean the Reservoir so I purchased
2 cans of brake cleaner.
4 feet of 3/8 hose
4 3/8 hose clamps
2 quarts Dex/Merc Transmission Fluid
1 Bolt that fits into hose
$44 later
Used this video....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k61KXRK8bM&t=983s

Or if you are smarter than I am purchase the Power Steering pump WITH the Reservoir $120 because for some reason they don't sell it separately from the pump unless through a Toyota Dealer for $300.
So I could have purchased a brand new power steering and bypass all the cleaning of the original reservoir.

Exception I didn't have to even turn on the 4Runner engine I just jacked the vehicle up onto jack stands and with the hoses hooked up just like in the video I was able to turn the wheel all the way back and forth (engine off) 4 times (checked fluid after 2 full turns, refilled) then 2 more full turns and it passed through about 1 1/2 Quarts of fluid nicely red in color not brown muck anymore. Wow the gunk I cleaned out the Reservoir was ugly hopefully my rack and pinion are still good?
My only regret is that I didn't purchase a fluid extractor (about $75 on Amazon) and suction the entire system clean and refill but the end result was NO MORE SQUEALING and the Power Steering is like a brand new vehicle it steers SO MUCH BETTER I am amazed how I didn't notice over the years how stiff the Power Steering had become.
I hope this helps others struggling with the Squeal issues, wear some rubber gloves and put an old tarp under your truck its a messy oily job even if you are careful.

 

[cas5259]

I had a power steering groan start a few days ago and fixed it with a fluid flush. The screen looked ok, but the fluid was very black. A bunch of wheel turning later and now it looks like new. Already had some trans fluid, so it was a free fix. Flush the fluid before trying anything else!