Newbe needs help (power steering pump)

[MattT]

Hello everyone, I am a new 84 FJ 60 owner and already need help.
I now put 5 power steering pumps in and not one has lasted more than 2 weeks before they blow a seal.
Am I an idiot?... Don't answer that.

The pumps were cheapy's ($100) from Kragen, some squealed right out of the box.
They seem to blow the shaft seal, is this common? I am to avoid the $350 for a factory Toyota rebuild.

What can I do?

Is there an alternative to the Toyota pump that bolt in easily?

Thanks,
MattT

 

[soggy60]

Do ya 'prime' the pump, by hand before 'loading' it....

Mount pump, connect hoses
fill with ps fluid, rotate pully many, many times by hand . . .
then connect belt, strat up & drive with some L-R turning . . .

Don't know if it's really needed, but the fluid in a system with air will turn frothy.
Froth 'fizzes'ut quick , but I'm sure ps fluid also 'lubes' bushing & seal.

Also, if belt is waaaay toooo tight
( pluck belt : "bing" , instead of "bumm" )
that can lead to premature bearing & seal failure...

HTH

Pete

 

[60wag]

Does the front seal just leak, or does it physically blow the entire seal loose from the front plate? I've heard of batches of bad rebuilts before but you gone through so many pumps that there might be something else going on. Clogged pressure hose? Any chance the the pressure hose is screwed into the wrong port on the steering gearbox? I'm not sure if they're swapable but the pressure hose should be outboard - closer to the tire. You might try taking it to a mechanic who has the special service tool for testing the pump pressure. I assume the dealer could do it. Usually the rebuilts suffer from too little pressure rather than too much.

 

[nuclearlemon]

The pumps were cheapy's ($100) from Kragen, some squealed right out of the box.

MattT

you just answered your own question. i've never heard anything good about aftermarket p/s pumps on cruisers.

you might look into converting to a saginaw pump.

 

[Heffenoche]

I went through two aftermarket pumps before I decided tp rebuild my original pump. It's not that hard to do if you have a few common tools, a FSM and are very carefull not to loose those tiny springs. I thought the rebuild was easier then getting the pump out of my 60.

 

[dd113]

Buy an OEM pump

 

[Corbet]

I've got a used Toyota pump I just pulled to do a SBC conversion. It worked fine, no leaks before removed. email me direct at speski@yahoo.com if you are interested in it.

 

[dogboy2]

OEM, OEM, OEM.....spendy but will last you another 20 years if you're good to it

try www.cruiserparts.net for a decent used part or possibly a rebuild

-db-

 

[MattT]

Thanks for all the input.

I have been priming the pump as described by soggy60, even lifted the front axle off the ground and turned lock to lock to get the fluid circulating well.
Always checking belt tension (leaving 1/2" play)
Replaced all soft lines (double checked they are hooked up correctly)
The install directions suggest the reservoir be replaced as contamination in it can destroy the pump (Anyone know about this?)

I am getting either foaming (overflowing the cap) or moaning, sometimes both.
A couple of the pumps that lasted for a few weeks worked nicely until the front main seal leaked (spayed) like a broken oil pressure line. It did not completely push out the seal.

I am local to Man-A-Fre but just not to excited about spending the $$$ on a new one.
Malcolm @ MAF did say the pumps have this problem, I guess I'm hoping for a less expensive way of fixing.

What is the Saginaw conversion? Is it an easy bolt in? Cost?

 

[coffmantx]

I just replaced my pump and gearbox, it seems the whole thing was leaking in various places,. It sure was a messy job, but one that I accomplished with my lack of real skills. I used an OEM pump and a used gear box I got from Cruiserparts. Once everything was bolted in, I filled her up with Dexron, turned the steering wheel back and forth a few times, and got the fluid up to level and I was on my way. I can trun the wheel now with one finger, sure works great. I decided to go with the OEM pump because I did not want it to start leaking again on to my new used OEM smog pump. I hope to rebuild my original gear box at some point.

 

[Mike S]

I have an in-line filter on the return line (low pressure side). Still, I have some leakage where the hoos connects to the hard tube. Gotta replace all the hoses soon. Meanwhile I just top it up once a week.

 

[Cruiserhaven]

I think the foaming or moaning is to be expected if you have air in the lines (need to bleed it out which is major PITA).

Is it possible you are overfilling (when the fluid heats up it perhaps expands, esp with air bubbles)?

Are you using ATF fluid (not PS fluid)?

I had a similar leak on a rebuilt OEM pump caused by the seal that goes around the big bolt that goes all the way through the pump getting mangled when the bolt was put in--but if you have gone through that many pumps that would seem unlikely.

I ended up buying a brand new OEM (bought the new one in frustration before I took the rebuilt one apart and found out about the buggered seal).

Be patient, hang in there