Help with power steering

99 Toyota Tacoma.

Took off the reservoir because the pump started whining. Common problem for Taco's, the reservoir had an extremely fine screen in it and once it's clogged with buildup, it starves the motor.

Drained it, flushed it, no problems. Now here is the issue: I cycled the wheels back and forth dozens of times, lock to lock, trying to purge the system. Once I started the engine, the wheels are HARD to turn, just as if there was no power steering. The fluid still wants to bubble up and out the reservoir even with the cap on.... And the pump whines constantly now.

What did I do wrong? Besides not letting a pro service it..

 

It sounds like you've got air in your ps pump to me.

 

You might have made it worse. How do you know that the screen/filter is any cleaner? Its not visible to the eye.

 

Because I can see through the screen now. It most certainly is visible if you take the reservoir off. It was called with black gunk. No light was even coming through the bottom. Now it is.

 

You most likely have a lot of air in the system. My guess is your fluid looks whitish and milky from all the bubbles yes? Easiest way to remove the bubbles is lift the truck up, so that both wheels are off the ground. Remove the ps fluid cap and cycle the wheels back and forth while filling the reservoir. (This'll require a second person of course) you can also increase the rpm to get the pump flowing more fluid. You'll be able to see down inside the reservoir. Just wait it out....they'll disappear eventually. Mine took about 15 minutes before the pump stopped fussing and the bubbles disappeared.

Hope this helps ya!!