Second Power Steering Pump in 6 months - Need Help

I have had 33s on my truck for a year now. My original power steering pump lasted about 6 months with 33s. I figured it was just on the way out because the truck had 90k miles on her. Well now, 6 months later, the truck has 96k miles and the Toyota replacement power steering pump is starting to go. This is truly frustrating and I am looking for solutions.

Do they make a heavy duty replacement? What could be causing this?

 

My mechanic friend just replaced the PS pump on my buddies heep XJ and he said that you have to use a vacuum pump to suck all the air bubbles out or the pump will go bad in about 6 mos. (suprizing that he did this on Fri. and you post this quest. today)
He said you have to keep pumping until it holds 25in of vacuum

 

May I ask, what were/are your symptoms? My engine bay is making a knocking noise, and I'm suspecting it is something in the belt drive system. I've replaced idler pullies.

 

Your steering rack, maybe bad. Which is causing your pump to go bad. Just a thought. I don't think it's because your running 33" tires

 

Contaminated/incorrect fluid?
Bad/leaking rack?

If there are metal shavings in the system, either from the previous pump or from the rack, it could kill every component in the loop. Do a power steering flush.

Do you hold the steering wheel at full lock often?

33" tires shouldn't be an issue, or else a lot of trucks on TW would need pump replacements.

 

I'll do that, but the last time the pump failed I didn't find a metal in the fluid . I make a point to not hold the steering wheel at full lock.

 

Failing pulleys and power steering pumps make a whine. If you are hearing a "knocking" that sounds more like a tie rod issue, but to be honest you're asking the wrong guy.

 

Bump. Anymore ideas guys?

 

I got nothing, because the guys above me already said most of what I was thinking. I did, however, want to come in here and say you got one SWEET looking rig!

 

Hahaha well thank you for the support. Love your truck as well! Wheels look really good.

I just hate it when things break. Gotta pay to play.

 

My power steering pump went from contaminated fluid. I had a hole in my inner tierod end boot and the mud and dirt and water etc worked its way into my rack and pinion. So lucky me got to replace both the power steering pump and the rack and pinion.

 

I've never pulled a vacuum on a power steering system. First time I've heard of that. Sure they always have air in them at first but they self-bleed pretty quick just by turning the wheel back and forth. That's how I've been doing it for 25 years and I've yet to replace a pump twice. But if a pump fails there's a reason. Some vehicles have a filter in the reservoir that should be periodically changed and always changed when replacing racks or pumps. I don't know if our trucks do or not. I think not. But all the BMW's I've had used them. What I've done a number of times when replacing pumps and racks is to flush out all of the lines off the vehicle. A few times I've seen some pretty big chunks of crud come out.

 

Uh oh. How much did that cost?

 

You mechanic friend is lost in the head! lol. There is no reason whatsoever to use a vacuum pump. Besides, it's not going to work that way. These systems are self-bleeding and will easily bleed out the air bubbles in minutes after replacing. Now you don't want to start the pump dry of course, but a vacuum pump? I've been doing this for over 25 years and have never once needed to do anything more than remove old pump, blow out old fluid, install new pump, fill with fresh fluid, and self-bleed the system.

The majority of pumps that fail repeatedly will fail because fluid contamination, or other components that cause excessive load on the pump.

 

So what's your best guess? Why am I having such trouble?

 

If you are 100% positive your fluid is clean, then I would check the lines to be sure they are not kinked anywhere, then if I remember correctly there is a pressure control switch on the back of the pump, or the line right there at the pump. Make sure the connector is in good shape and the terminals are good.

 

Alright I'll do that. If that all checks out?

 

Did you clean the reservoir screen?

 

Keep in mind these are Canadian prices...... Dealer wanted 825 for just the ps pump alone. I got a reman ps pump from local parts shop for around 250. When I finally figured out that I had a bad rack and pinion, it was around 550 for that part from napa. Add in about 5 liters of synthetic trans fluid and the cost creeps up there. All work done by me.

 

Many of my local parts stores sell a pump with a lifetime warranty. A pain if you have to change one out, but parts would be free.