98’ Tacoma power steering problems - need HELP!

My Tacoma is STILL having power steering problems after 3 new pumps, new hoses, and new rack and pinion. I’ve had 2 different maechanics work on it and it gets a little bit better for awhile then starts whining loudly then the steering gets hard. From what I understand those parts are all the components to the power steering system. Any ideas? Pls help!!

 

What's all your steering system like.....how old are the ball joints, struts...
what about the bushings, lower control arm, upper arm, torsion arm, sway arm...
How do the tires wear.....

I'm currently in process of replacing these before I put on new front tires......
I've got one side done....and boy sure makes a difference....@ 160K

 

I didn't see any mention of power steering fluid reservoir... did they replace that? or just reuse it?

 

^^Good point made here. Maybe all your new parts are trying to turn, while some suspension component is on the verge of seizing up. No PS system will last long in that scenario.

 

Those are very valid points, I know my steering pump struggled when the rack bushings were all worn out..

Just for clarity sake tho, Toyota stopped using torsion bars on the pickups in 95.

 

Are you turning 35s?

 

Sorry.......FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM STRUT ROD BUSHING

 

Ohhh, I see what you did there..

Sorry if I came across as disrespectful. I just hear torsion bar and think of my old S10 and the "cheap and easy" way we used to lift em

 

What’s a coil if not a compacted torsion bar?

 

Yeah I bought all the other bushings for front end and dont even know those were there...
FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM STRUT ROD BUSHING

Turns out those were the ones most shot......looks like they exploded....
in a 5 lug if these are bad you'll get alot of play.....and that will cause the lower control arm bushings to fail soon after....


And I didnt take u as being rude....that's my job..I'm guilty of thinking out loud too much.....
I'm old .... my bullshit filter is broken.... in both directions....

 

Just reused it

 

Ok- what would you suggest starting with first? This makes sense- thank you

 

The very least I'd do is upper and lower ball joint.....these have a bad rep...wheel can come off turning into a parking lot....lower ball joint failure.....

Lower control arm bushings are not gonna be easy.....have to have coil compressor....and a press..
or buy the new upper/lower arms with new bushings already in.....$100 a side per piece....
and for sure that lower control arm strut bushing.....$40 and need a press...

All together on mine I've got about $700 in parts for both sides (new upper/lower control arms)...

 

Ask both mechanics if they cleaned the screen in the bottom of the reservoir. They get clogged and restrict flow. That causes the exact problem your describing. A whine and lack of turning power especially if the truck isn't moving.

 

Thank you I will ck on that tmw.
Thanks for your help

 

Ok- I’ll ck with the mechanics if they cleaned the reservoir screen first then work my way down.
Thank you for your help

 

X100000 on this. I had the same issue. Got a new reservoir and bam! Everything was fixed.