After Wheeling Power Steering Fluid Was Everywhere!

[R.E.M.]

So, I finally got to take my 60 wheeling since I bought it. It was on a mild trial on public land. We did find a challenging dry rocky creek bed that was fun.

To the point: there were several instances where the front tires were against rocks and I could NOT turn the steering wheel to point the tires in a different direction. The entire steering system is stock. I did just put on all new TREs which did amazing things to the overall feel.

Anyway, after we were done wheeling and heading out the steering felt low on fluid. Checked under the hood and fluid was everywhere. Looked like it leaked out under the reservoir. I filled up with ATF and drove 3 hours home and its been fine since.

Is this something that I can expect every time I wheel? I only have 32's. First step would probably be a PS cooler. Second step, I need to check the line connections. Any other ideas? Anyone else experience this?

 

[Rock Cruiser]

I've never had this happen after wheeling. The brake fluid is supposed to be Dot 3. One more thing is the power steering might be going bad cause this happens to SOA members after 100kish because of the extra load and such. otherwise i dont know sorry

 

[Rock Cruiser]

supposed to be Dot 3.

WOW i was thinking of brake fluid.... everything else is about powersteering though.

 

[Lugal]

I don't know if overheating could cause the problem that you had, but it's not a bad idea to hook up a tranny cooler for your PS fluid. The stock cooler is just a long tube underneath your radiator, and has a tendency to rust out, so replacing that with something a bit more effective certainly can't hurt. Installing it will also give you a good chance to take a careful look at your PS lines and replace the low pressure ones if you need to.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

As you experienced, the stock Toyota power-assist steering can't handle really rough terrain very well. The PS fluid will expand when hot, and ooze out of the PS reservoir.

An inexpensive auto tranny cooler can be added in-line with the return (low pressure) PS line. This will add capacity and help with cooling the fluid.

Something like this:

Hayden Ultra-Cool 402 - Transmission Oil Cooler | O'Reilly Auto Parts

Regards,

Alan

 

[dozerking]

your problem has nothing to do with heat!!!! the seal in the reservoir is crap always has been and always will be! they sell rebuilt units but they will do the same thing in no time! there really isnt anyway to rebuild the unit! try havin 35's and wheelin mine used to be so bad i would have fluid all over the outside of my my fender and hood after a hard wheelin trip!!! the only way to fix it is to buy a brand new one which still wont turn your tires or fab in a chevy pump and have one finger steering!!!

 

[klinetime574]

I have 33's with an original pump. Never had any problems with fluid leaks with relation to off road trips.

I agree the fluid got hot and exited the system. If the seal was bad it would be leaking all the time. He said it has been fine since the wheeling session.

 

[lovetoski]

Alan is right on the mark that a simple cooler will reduce the heat stress on the power steering system. I did something similar, $40 in parts, a few hours to install (I work slowly.)

 

[dozerking]

its not a heat issue lol!! mine was always fine never leaked at all until i went wheeling! the snow was always the worste anyways truste me its the seal when your in a rut or up against a rock and try to turn it the tire wont turn so the pressure has to go somewhere and it goes right out that seal!! i never had to add fluid to it until i went offroad then it would go through a quart easy in a day then once i got back on the highway it would be fine till the next wheeling trip! i now have a new tbi in my 60 and the steering is night and day different!!!

 

[Lugal]

We all know that the stock Toyota PS pump is pretty crappy. I think we'd also all agree that the extra pressure when wheeling pushes fluid past the seal. So the question is: is the extra pressure mechanical, or caused by heat expansion?

Sent from the distant past using a clay tablet

 

[cruiserfj45]

Does it look like there is fluid on the backside of the pulley where the front seal of the pump is? Is there fluid in line with the pulley where fluid leaked out of the front seal and the pulley slung it around? When you put a heavy load the front seal cant hold it and out it comes. You should see it on the hood real easy. Up grade to the saginaw pump they used in the Volvo's.

 

[dozerking]

i would say its alittle of both best way to find out i guess would be park your rig next to a curb or rock when its cold and have someone steer into it while you watch the pump to see if it leaks???

 

[Lugal]

Dozer-

That's not a half bad idea. Seeing that I won' be upgrading to a Saginaw anytime soon, I'd be curious to learn whether heat plays any part in these pumps leaking--and whether or not a bigger cooler helps prolong their life.

Sent from the distant past using a clay tablet

 

[dozerking]

Dozer-

That's not a half bad idea. Seeing that I won' be upgrading to a Saginaw anytime soon, I'd be curious to learn whether heat plays any part in these pumps leaking--and whether or not a bigger cooler helps prolong their life.

Sent from the distant past using a clay tablet

im sure heat doesnt help at all!! ill bet ya it will leak being cold or hot i would think being cold it would be under more pressure so itt might leak even worse!! i dont think a cooler will cool it down all that much! for the price of a cooler you can buy a chevy pump all my toyota lines threaded right on with no leaks at all so you shouldnt have to buy new lines then just build a bracket should be a two hours job prolly!! and you will love the effortless steering!!

 

[Lugal]

then just build a bracket should be a two hours job prolly!!

For you, maybe. For me, prolly not.

Sent from the distant past using a clay tablet