Power steering leak (it's winning)

Hey everyone, I know there are a bunch of threads on power steering issues...yet here I am...

Had a slow leak, making a mess of the undercarriage but never enough to make it to the ground. Took it to the dealer for diagnostics of other issues and they recommended replacing the $3 part that goes around the banjo bolt. I took it to my local mechanic and they said they would replace the pump and all the hoses/lines, to be safe. They said the pump was leaking.

I replaced the pump and the o-rings on the lines and the funky part that goes around the banjo bolt. The leak became much worse, requiring topping off of fluid after each drive.

Pulled the high pressure line and replaced that funky part with two flat copper washers and replaced an o-ring from that assembly. Leak is still bad and I have to carry a bottle of ATF.

WTF did I do wrong? I drive it and spray with brake cleaner to try to isolate the leak. First it looked like the fluid was coming from around the banjo bolt (hence swapping out for those copper washers). Next the drip looked to be at the bottom of the pump, not along any of the lines, but a bit like there was fluid coming from where the pulley interfaces with the pump housing but its a 'new' pump so what are the odds of that? Now it looks like chaos under there.

This damn pump is 4 bolts, not brain surgery...I don't want to have to have a mechanic deal with this if I can help it. I'm 34 weeks pregnant though and can't fit under the damn truck so I'm getting to wits end here! Please help! I'm on the path of throwing parts at it.

 

just wanted to give you a post bump because you are 34 weeks pregnant and wrenching on your truck.

 

This truck is my original baby!

Here's 20 weeks when my alternator went out while in AZ...had to swap it in Walmart parking lot...I'm a tad larger now but just as determined.

 

I’ll second that.
Very impressed.
Sorry I don’t have any ideas for you OP. But…Very impressed by you.
Good looking truck too!

 

Are you sure it's PS fluid? These engines are notorious for a front cover leak right in that area that's actually caused by the PS pump mounting tabs not having the proper clearance. When you wedge the PS into the tabs to mount it, it creates an engine oil leak.

Side note - if you suspect a particular hose, fitting, etc., wrap and secure a Scott's blue paper towel (Wal Mart) around the area and take it for a drive. The blue paper towel will turn dark blue when any kind of fluid hits it.

 

The fluid all over the pump is pink. There is some oil residue from a leaky timing cover but never anything substantial. It smells like ATF.

There was a single dark fluid drip that I wiped off off the line from the reservoir but that was it.

 

in the 2nd pic it looks like a sliver of the pump seal is blown out, or is that just a chip of paint?

 

Can you show me where?

 

@trdchic the left opening of the pulley, just to the right of that little circle casted into the pump housing. theres a little sliver hanging down almost parallel to the pulley opening.

 

I have the OEM pump too for comparison/troubleshooting or possibly throwing in the street.

 

Pump front seal. It will be a whole lot easier to replace the pump then to try and fix it.

 

Going to go pick at it now...hold please

 

yup thats it

 

Here

 

Have someone watch under the hood while you turn the steering wheel left to right. Engine running of course. If it's the pump front seal, it will be clear where the leak is coming from.

 

OK that chunk of crap feels more rubbery than paint-y

So if that's the front seal of the pump:
1. Is there something I could have done to cause it to fail?
2. Can I replace it or do I need another new pump?
3. Any way I can test it?
4. Is that a common failure? The gunk build up on my old pump looks to be around the same area of the pump (behind the pulley).

 

Also...


UGH

 

So the pump I put on was a refurb from auto parts store. Recommend ordering through Toyota or just making sure I get a genuine Toyota part or...? I've never had any issues with other non-Toyota parts.

Also...any thoughts on how to plead my case to return this pump now that it's covered in fluid and clearly been installed and run?

 

The pump will have to be dismantled the threads in the pully are to get it off now once it's fixed you have to get the pully back on it is a pressed fit the back will have to be supported to press it back on.

 

nothing you could have done, just a half ass rebuild.