98’ Tacoma power steering problems - need HELP!

No, 31’s

 

Were the pumps aftermarket or Toyota OEM? I’ve had bad luck with aftermarket pumps.

 

That was it neither of the mechanics checked the screen. Thank you all for all your help! She’s running like a charm!

 

I'm glad it was that simple for you, given what you described it was exactly where my thoughts went.

 

Sadly that's probably all it needed from the get go.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k61KXRK8bM&ab_channel=TimmyTheToolman

 

Thanks for posting this I was just about to go looking for it.!

 

Where 8s the screen located?

 

In the bottom of the reservoir on the steering pump.

 

I just cleaned mine it took 4 cans of break cleaner. It was 100% occluded. Crazy. I'm off to look up the price of a new resivor. Was probably cheaper. My 01 was slightly different from the one in the video. Definitely easier to get to.

$20 in cleaner vs $130ish for new.

 

Clogged filter can be an indication of the hoses interior condition....
Cant see what's going on inside....most people forget....service life of a hydraulic hose especially under heat/pressure is only 5 yrs....

 

Poor quality pumps ? Never bothered to clean the screen.

What caused the first problem?? So much dirt in the system the pump starves for fluid.

Not using ATF?

 

If you've never bothered to clean the screen you've gotten lucky. I've dealt with 3 different 3rz ps pumps and the only thing wrong with 2 of them was a clogged screen in the reservoir

In my experience when the screen gets clogged the whole pressure side of the system will starve for fluid.

The pump will make horrible noises while it's cold.. extra noise at full lock ... random spotiness of stiff steering for what seems like absolutely no reason. More often than not its the stupid simple things that cascade problems down the line to make it seem like a bigger worse-er thing

 

Do you have to remove the pump and reservoir to clean the screen or is there access through the cap?

 

All most impossible to clean the screen with the reservoir on the pump.

I never tried any other way

It might be possible( I never tried) by draining the fluid and using a long Q-Tip tip very carefully get the dirt off the screen though pushing the dirt through the screen is making things worse.

Just like other fluids this also needs changed.

 

Oh, I know, I just replaced my rack a few months ago and wanted to do things the east way. Looks like I’m removing the reservior

 

Had p/s noise when below zero ( sounded like a 80's ford p/s wine)
Removed resevoir, cleaned and flushed system with valvoline max atf.
Noise gone. Took about 2 hrs start to finish.
Me and tacoma thank you.