Power steering rack replacement... THEN power steering pump failure??

FIRST POST!

I have a 2017 TRD off road that has mostly stayed on roads. 160K miles.

about 4 months ago, I took it into the dealer for routine service. They told me the power steering rack had been leaking fluid for some time, and I needed to replace it. $$$ later, done.

fast forward to now, about 8K miles later. This morning, I drive 1 mile down the road and all is well. I leave and return to the vehicle to drive back home. I can barely steer it. It will only go straight, turns with intense difficulty.

Get it towed to the dealer. Massive tow truck dude can also barely steer it. Goes right more easily than left, but still nearly impossible. Says, "that's not power steering, your rack is slipping!"

Dealer tells me "power steering rack looks great, looks like the power steering pump valve has gone bad, causing the steering wheel to get stiff."

$1000K to replace.

I just talked to the tech, and they suggested that the previous problems with the rack leaking fluid may have created an issue with the pump, leading to my current problem. Which makes sense. I guess I'm just frustrated they didn't catch this stuff sooner.

 

Possible, typically if you top off the system and the pump has no noise you're okay but depending how low and for how long your fluid was low it could of compromised the pump. Keep and eye on your fluid level and condition now for a few thousand kms. If it looks bad i'd flush it again just in case debris from the pump failure is still circulating in there.

 

Yup, the low fluid cavitates forever then finally it gets repaired but its too late.