Making a tight turn in the Starbucks parking lot today all of a sudden my steering gets really loud and hard to turn. Also noticed a bad, funky, burning type smell with the window down. Does this sound like a rack, pump, hose, or seal to you? What are these trucks known for blowing in the steering dept? It was at full lock to the left when it went, under pressure. Looks like I'll be driving the Lexus for the weekend, thanks goodness for a spare car, been thinking about selling it and drive the LC full time.
A check under the hood would be in order. It sounds weird for the PS pump to fail completely. However, the belt that runs the PS pump also runs the Air Pump (an emissions thing) and (I think) the waterpump. If the bearing on the AirPump fails (not uncommon) then it will stop turning, and burn up the belt. This would cause the smell you're describing.
Another possibility is that the belt just failed, and fell into somewhere in/around the engine where it's being rubbed or burned. Either would cause that same smell.
In both cases, a quick look-see should tell you a lot.
If the belts are OK, check all around the PS pump for leaks, look inside for fluid level, etc. Then check back w/what you find...
Oh, I Forgot To Mention, There's Fluid All Under The Hood On The Driver Side, But I Couldn't Tell Quickly Where It's Coming From, Think I Will Have To Get Under The Truck To See
I blew a seal on the PS pump and that threw fluid everywhere as well as making steering harder. Not a hard repair if you get the seal. Make sure you have the FSM though so you can put it back together properly.
I had the same burn smell, lose of power steering problem. If you saw or smelled smoke smoke look at the lower high pressure hose. On Eleanor there is an arm that keeps this hose away from the headers. The arm in eleanor got unscrewwed and the highpressure hose rested on the header until the header burned through it. All the fluid leaked out and I had your problem. The hose was I think 15 or 16 bucks and it didn't take too long to put on. Good luck.
alright, who's got a good source on an aftermkt power steering hose? the thing runs from the pump to the steering box and is high as hell OEM. i need a cheaper one - looking for some ideas guys, don't let me down!!!
alright, who's got a good source on an aftermkt power steering hose? the thing runs from the pump to the steering box and is high as hell OEM. i need a cheaper one - looking for some ideas guys, don't let me down!!!
Probably the pump or high pressure side hose on the steering box failed. Clean up and fix immediately - PS fluid is not nice on the smog pump. Also, I suggest a filter to handle return fluid clean-up - it will prolong the life of your PS unit.
stoped by the parts store, found this Edelman(sp) high presure hose 91698......told me my cost was about $50. I have used this brand on my 82 fj40 PS and its good. NAPA can prolly get it or similar.
thanks john, found the same hose online for $125, so i'm getting closer, but i like your price better than my first and second tries. will keep looking locally, thanks again!
Yeah, it is your high pressure PS line for sure. Same thing happened to me in the Pismo Dunes doing donuts. I couldn't find the leak until I got home. Turned out that I had to have the wheel cranked to get it to leak. Anyways, it wasn't too bad to replace if you have the right tools. The connection on the gearbox is a little tight. I put the NAPA one on. It was very high quality with zero problems so far.
