Power Steering Troubles

[DirtDawg]

Problem:
My power steering pump is failing, badly. It gets to the point where I almost can't turn the wheel when barely moving. It whines like crazy and its not getting any better.

My Solution:
Simply buy a new steering pump. It may not be the cheapest thing, but it will solve my problem.

Questions:

• Is this the best solution?
• What are some other ways of fixing my problem?
• Should I replace anything else while I'm in there?
• Is there a better way to diagnose my problem?

Heres a couple links I referenced:

• Toyota Parts Cheap - Steering
• Steering Diagram 1
• Steering Diagram 2
• Steering Diagram 3

I am by no means mechanically inclined, actually the opposite. Any question or comment would be helpful, so please post what you have to say.

Thanks, DirtDawg

 

[Drcoffee]

Have you checked your ball joints. If they are failing and now binding, it can make the PS pump work too hard. Had this happen on another truck a few years ago.

 

[Singtoe]

Check you fluid. if it low, it will whine and moan.

If the fluid is good, buy a used pump. E-bay has the for $45 shipped.


If ball joints are siezed up. it won't return to center when driving straight on the road.

 

[quicksilvr]

Ball joints should be good because they are pretty new, but check them anyway. If they're not ok, then they still have NAPA warranty.

Have you changed the fluid out since you said it looked like crap? If the fluid is clean and new, then you just need a new pump.

 

[DirtDawg]

Have you checked your ball joints. If they are failing and now binding, it can make the PS pump work too hard. Had this happen on another truck a few years ago.

Check you fluid. if it low, it will whine and moan.

If the fluid is good, buy a used pump. E-bay has the for $45 shipped.


If ball joints are siezed up. it won't return to center when driving straight on the road.

Like quicksilvr said, the ball joints are fairly new. In fact, no issuers with them. The fluid is at a good level. Thanks for the ebay tip. Would it be better to buy used off there or buy OEM?

Ball joints should be good because they are pretty new, but check them anyway. If they're not ok, then they still have NAPA warranty.

Have you changed the fluid out since you said it looked like crap? If the fluid is clean and new, then you just need a new pump.

I haven't changed the fluid, but It looks clean. I will be changing the fluid when I do the steering guide and I was hoping to do the pump while I was in there if it was bad.

-DirtDawg

 

[Drcoffee]

Look at it this way. Without the pump, the steering should feel like a manual steering vehicle. So even though it would be tough to turn at low speeds it should feel smooth. If it feels like its binding you need to find out why. Lift the front end and try turning the steering wheel lock to lock with the motor on and also off. Another thing, if the pump is only noisy when you turn the wheels, it may not be the pump. A failing pump will moan even when idle. It could also be the rack.

If you could better explain the symptoms it would help us to narrow it down.

One last thought. If its the pump that has indeed failed, consider an inline filter like magnefine when you install the new pump. When a pump fails it spews metal bearing bits into the fluid and will quickly trash the rack.

 

[Stick Figure]

Has anyone figured out if there is a screen in the bottom of the reservoir on the 4Runner? I've never looked, but if there is a blockage to the pump you will have the same problems. A PS pump is really a pretty simple device so unless its leaking, starving for fluid or has an actual bearing failure its pretty much working.

 

[DirtDawg]

Well, after finding a couple issues, I decided to take it to our loyal shop. I am going to have them diagnose my issue. Thanks for the comments and advice.

-DirtDawg

 

[Singtoe]

Well, after finding a couple issues, I decided to take it to our loyal shop. I am going to have them diagnose my issue. Thanks for the comments and advice.

-DirtDawg

When the shop surfs the web and finds this thread, make sure they give a discount for diagnosising your 4runner.:hungry: