Hard to steer. Diagnosing pump or rack

about 8 months ago my power steering pump started whinning and the resevoir was low. i found a steel line rusted and leaking and replaced it and just the other way steering has become alot harder. im guessing given that happened that the pump has finally failed but want to make sure its not the rack as well. is there a way to test both components to see which has failed. my money is on the pump but want to be sure.

thanks

 

Try flushing the P.S. fluid first. There is a little screen in the reservoir that gets gummed up and makes the steering stiff

 

Ok. I will give that a try first. Does the screen just pop out after I've drained the reservoir?

 

The screen will get cleaned when you flush the reservoir

 

Ok . How do I go about flushing the system of the old power steering fluid and putting in the new fluid.
Thanks

 

I assume I woul drain the reservoir and remove the return line to the reservoir on the bottom frame cross member and add fluid unit while the engine is on until I see new fluid as the return?

 

Sorry typo I meant add fluid unit the reservoir is full
while the engine is running

 

If you review my first post on here...you'll see im a complete expert at flushing power steering fluid....(TLDR i totally botched it), but now i definitely know how to do it.

best method to flush PS fluid completely.

Step 1: Jack up truck so both front wheels are in the air.
Step 2: Acquire rubber end cap to cover reservoir spout for return line.
Step 3: Remove return line (upper rubber hose with clamp) to reservoir and cap off spout so reservoir doesn't leak fluid.
Step 4: Place return line end into plastic bottle or something to catch fluid.
Step 5: Turn truck to "on" position but DO NOT....and i repeat...DO NOT...turn on the truck.
Step 6: (Easier with 2 people) Turn steering wheel slowly toward one side until it hits stop. The plastic bottle will slowly get filled with fluid.
Step 7: Refill reservoir with new fluid to keep it topped off during this process. You don't want it to run dry.
Step 8: Turn steering wheel to the opposite side until it hits stop limit.

Keep doing the drain and fill until fluid is bright red and clean.

Cheers.

 

Okay sounds good. I wasn't sure if new fluid would pass through the system well enough without the engine running but then again I'd get high pressure with the pump running I suppose. I'll grab a few quarts and tackle it.

 

If I may suggest changes to step 3 & 4.
3 - remove rubber return line not from reservoir but rather from hard power steering line, either lift this above reservoiror or just clamp off/block off with a bolt used like a wine cork.
4 - Attach long(about 2 foot long)hose to the above mentioned hard power steering line and run that in to an oil drain pan or bottle.

Now one person can just turn the steering wheel back and forth and refilling the reservoir maybe every 4 or 5 turns from end to end. I over did it when I did my power steering fluid but I think I flushed about 2 new quarts through then reassembled the system and then topped off the fluid with engine running.

 

Also check/spray lubricant on the steering shaft u joint

$43 AUTOKAY 45203-04021 Lower Steering Shaft Compatible with 2005-2015 Tacoma 4WD Intermediate Steering Shaft

https://www.amazon.ca/Steering-Colu...782142865cbc3a3ab3cfe33740958721&gad_source=1
I’ve done this in the past, freed up my steering quite well.