Steering help

I just bought a 95 tacoma 3.4 auto that had bad steering
The fluid is full!
The issue is that it steers like crazy all over the highway and it whines when turning. Also the steering is super stiff unless you are accelerating orvwhencrpm increase.

 

If the fluid is full make sure the power steering pump is good and the rack is good. Maybe someone else will chime in that knows a bit more.

 

Previous owner told me "steering box" I use to do one on my old jeep tj do to leaking. I will check the front end over. I'm leaning towards pump or rack.

 

I read there is a filter in the bottom of the reservoir that can get clogged

 

Sounds like you need a new steering pump, or possibly a new rack. Have a local mechanic check it out for $10 or so to be safe, it'll save you some time

 

I know I had just replaced my rack and pinion because it was nearly impossible to turn left but could turn right just fine.

But then I messed up when it came to bleeding it. I used Lucas Power steering fluid to fill up the system, (I used the stuff when it came to needing to top off the resevoir before hand). Problem came when I bought all the fluid days before I did the project and let it sit in my truck in the freezing cold that is Wisconsin. fluid was gel like and couldn't properly bleed it. Live and learn project for me. I think I blew out the pump. Just waiting for it to get a little warmer before I test that. I can turn just have to put some man into it.

It's my highly amateurish opinion that if you are getting a noise that the pump is working, but there is a fluid issue, screen being clogged, etc. I get no noise from my pump, so that's why I'm thinking it's bad.

 

My power steering does not work at idle. I'm wondering of it's the idle up valve I have read about

 

If its whining and hard to turn. Id put my money on the pump. Mine whines like crazy when im in 4lo and crawling for hours.

How many kms on it? Original?

 

174 k miles
Pump works awesome when driving or above 1200 rpm

 

Sounds like you have 2 issues, pump and rack.

Check the fluid immediately after driving it. Does it look frothy?

You could have bad TRE's, thats causing the wandering. Have it checked out.
You can do this by lifting up one front corner at a time (tire off the ground), grabbing the tire at '9 and 3' and try to detect wobbling.

 

Both inner tierods were absolutely shot sitj 1 inch of play on each wheel. I ordered new brakes and. Ties rods from summit. I think my only other issue is powersteering not working at idle

 

What does frothy mean.. :/

 

foamy ?

When the pump is trying to include air along with the fluid, bubbles are inserted, and the dark red becomes pinkish and bubbly. This can happen because of an air leak, low fluid, or clogged reservoir screen.

 

I have had every steering issue under the sun and kind of declare myself to be an expert in the first gen power steering system.

First thing first, ditch the lucas power steering fluid (use the low pressure return to get rid of everything). Get yourself some ATF which is what it should be. Then buy twice as much as you need, if you're a stickler get some cheap stuff from walmart and do a flush with that and then use your favourite flavour after that. I personally don't see any difference and use cheap walmart fluid permanently.

Before you refill the fluid you can either rip apart the resevoir (rather difficult) and it's even more difficult when the pump is on the truck. But its up to you, If you grab a big long flat screwdriver with some paper tower or something wrapped around the end you can remove a lot of the gunk that's on the screen. Just use a light to look inside the hole. It's a pain in the ass, but with time and care it can be done. BE CAREFUL not to puncture the screen. Some people just skip cleaning the screen and jam the screwdriver right through it. But this can introduce the grime through your PS steering and cause even more issues.

The pump whining could be caused by air in the system, or more than likely the pump causing cavitation because it is being starved for fluid due to the screen being clogged.

If none of these things help you, then you can try your luck with a cheap used pump from a wrecker. I bought one that had 80k miles on it for $35 and it cleared up all my issues.

 

Hmm ok thanks I will try that
Would someone say my pump is shot? The fluid was very dirty. Works fine except at idle

 

Drained fluid added new stuff cleaned res bottle still wines and you can feel the bump vibrated when you put your hand on resivoir bottle

 

The filter in the reservoir could be gunked up...

 

Just cleaned that completely. Pump hums even at idle

 

Anyone