HZJ75 Power Steering getting harder and harder...

[Blade]

Hi guys

I have another problem with my 1993 HZJ75.
Since a while my steering wheel is getting harder and harder to steer. While driving I only
feel it a little bit, but at IDLE at low air pressure I can't turn the wheel anymore!
I have to rev a little bit to about >900RPM then I can turn the wheel, although still pretty hard.
When the ATF is cold it works better than when hot.
I thought it's the power steering pump and did rebuilt it myself in Bolivia with a new shaft,
seals, bearings etc. (Toyota kit) Pressure valve didn't leak and spring had correct length.
But it didn't really help.
So now my question: is it possible that the steering gear is leaking internally? It doesn't leak
oil.
And is it possible that it suddenly fails leaving me without power steering or will it just get slowly
worst and worst? Still in middle of nowhere in Bolivia and only 10-15'000miles to get home where I could
do all that with time. So not sure if I should bother with this gear NOW and do this myself on my last 2 months of overlanding or if I can/should wait?

Thanks for any hints!

 

[roscoFJ73]

You probably need a new pump. Just running a kit through them doesn't guarantee you'll get the pressure you need. The fact that it works better with cold fluid shows that it is probably losing pressure.
Or just turn the idle up to 1000rpm at slow speeds.

 

[ozcrusier]

Have you jacked up both front wheels and spun the steering from lock to lock.

 

[Blade]

yes I did. But I drove 2000km since the rebuilt.. don't think that there is any air left.
Now with high air pressure I still notice little bit harder steering at idle, but much better than with low tire pressure.

I saw you can order the vanes and keys from Toyota. Will do that then when I get back home. I saw very small scratch signs on the cam, but thought that's ok.. looks like it's not ok.

 

[ozcrusier]

If you need any manual help I'm happy to help but this is 40/55 manual stuff.

 

[Blade]

I have the manual as PDF, much lighter for overlanding, thank you!