Power steering death whine

[hammerheadfistpunch]

So I started my truck up this morning in the cold (usually garaged) and it squealed pretty bad, and it was clearly a power steering pump noise, it did it in conjunction with my steering for about a mile or 2 until the car warmed up and then stopped. The steering still feels a tiny bit notchy when warm but not bad and little noise. The PS pump is clearly on its way out but whats the timeframe im looking at? im headed down to the maze tomorrow evening for 5 days and I would rather it not fail on me down there, that being said making a fix work will either be difficult time wise for me at this point or pricey. What is the likely Mean Time To Death on this thing at this point?

 

[Hornd]

Go get a qt of Synthetic ATF and add a tablespoon of Downy (fabric softner), don't let it run out of fluid.
Rebuild kit Gates on Rock Auto is proven. OEM Spec. Mine has held up for about 5K so far. Cheap too. You will need a 3 prong puller to get gear off pump.
Bearing can be purchased from SKF is you think it's bad.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Mobile 1 DTE24 for the win

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

Mobile 1 DTE24 for the win

This is a tangent, but if you remember I mentioned that my sway bar disconnects were noisy in the engaged possition? I replaced the bushings and thats done. Good product.

As for the PS pump, this has gotten worse since I hade a complete baseline done, could using dot instead of ATF could be the issue? Also, is there any risk in mixing the 2 if I don't know what they put in there? The guys that did it are cruiser guys and should know to use ATF, but the person that did it is out of town and I can't ask.

 

[bhmmapping]

What do you mean by dot?

The pump is very easy to rebuild, or just buy a reman and swap it out.

 

[OGBeno]

DOT hydraulic fluid.

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

What do you mean by dot?

The pump is very easy to rebuild, or just buy a reman and swap it out.

I plan on swapping out a reman, but I don't have time to do it myself before this trip. The question is: how long until it fails - a guess obviously.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

This is a tangent, but if you remember I mentioned that my sway bar disconnects were noisy in the engaged possition? I replaced the bushings and thats done. Good product.

Glad to hear

As for the PS pump, this has gotten worse since I hade a complete baseline done, could using dot instead of ATF could be the issue? Also, is there any risk in mixing the 2 if I don't know what they put in there? The guys that did it are cruiser guys and should know to use ATF, but the person that did it is out of town and I can't ask.

Not sure what dot is? DTE in my post is straight Mobile 1 hydraulic fluid. Not sure if it will help your issue but I use DTE in everything in lieu of power steering fluid or ATF with excellent results along with many others here in AZ.

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

Not sure what dot is? DTE in my post is straight Mobile 1 hydraulic fluid. Not sure if it will help your issue but I use DTE in everything in lieu of power steering fluid or ATF with excellent results along with many others here in AZ.

i know ATF and Hydraulic fluid are pretty close are there any miscibility issues just adding some synthetic Hydraulic fluid?

 

[Output Shaft]

For some reason I flushed & filled my PS many years ago with power steering fluid. Bad Idea.

Pump would groan in the morning when it was cold.

Replaced that crap w regular ATF, & the pump became quiet and worked fine.

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

For some reason I flushed & filled my PS many years ago with power steering fluid. Bad Idea.

Pump would groan in the morning when it was cold.

Replaced that crap w regular ATF, & the pump became quiet and worked fine.

This is kinda what makes me wonder if they used PS fluid and not ATF.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

i know ATF and Hydraulic fluid are pretty close are there any miscibility issues just adding some synthetic Hydraulic fluid?

I have had zero issues with adding DTE to existing power steering systems from everything from my boat to the wife's Highlander. I run 100% DTE in my 80 series for several years with no noise.

 

[Hornd]

I ran 100% Autozone Synthetic ATF (Cheapest) in my 80 Series with no noise.
It uses less than 1 Qt or about $7.

Here is what I would do:
Crack open bottom nut on pump and drain out what is in there.
Refill with ATF and see what happens.
Some have lotsa issues with these pumps priming, but mine was cake. Fill system, turn steering both ways (motor off) and top off. No issues, no noise. The worst that happens your out $7
If you do get a new kit, don't forget to get a pump to engine gasket, and Dual Copper Sealing Washer from Dealership

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

I believe the OP is running brake fluid for power steering fluid, no Bueno. If you mix ATF into the equation make sure it's only to help flush out any remaining DOT fluid. Run 1 or 2 quarts of through it but have a fluid catch can on the return hose, get someone to turn your steering wheel lock to lock while you're pouring ATF through and catching it in a different container. Then run straight ATF and see if that helps.

 

[baldilocks]

This is kinda what makes me wonder if they used PS fluid and not ATF.

I think Output Shaft has suggested your first move. Drain, flush and fill with ATF as Toyota specs. Buy and carry the spare pump on your trip.

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

I believe the OP is running brake fluid for power steering fluid, no Bueno. If you mix ATF into the equation make sure it's only to help flush out any remaining DOT fluid. Run 1 or 2 quarts of through it but have a fluid catch can on the return hose, get someone to turn your steering wheel lock to lock while you're pouring ATF through and catching it in a different container. Then run straight ATF and see if that helps.

Looks like its PS fluid, and the pump and pressure hose are leaky.

 

[Joshwho44]

Looks like its PS fluid, and the pump and pressure hose are leaky.

I did this job recently and used the Gates/Edelmann high pressure hose. It's a fraction of the OEM price and the fit is pretty good, just transfer the bracket over from the old hose to the new one.

If your pump is in decent shape and is OEM, rebuild it with the Gates/Edelmann kit. It's not much more work than removing the pump. A rebuilt OEM pump would be better than a parts store reman, although Rockauto has a new aftermarket pump for $112. My pump was shot from the PO installing the gear incorrectly, so I replaced with OEM.

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

Solution - I am biting the big ugly bullet and having a reman pump and pressure pipe installed (hello wallet rape, how are you?) due to my fears of having the pressure hose fail and me having to devote part of my tight schedule to field repairs.

 

[Walletclan]

I'm in the same boat. Sucker was not happy this morning when it was the first really cold night we have had in a while.

 

[tacosupreme]

I'm in the same boat. Sucker was not happy this morning when it was the first really cold night we have had in a while.

Funny. Mine too. Came here to search for this exact subject, and here it is on page one. My pulley is wobbly and I don't know what parts to order, so I think I'll just get a complete reman. 1991 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 4000CC VANE PUMP & RESERVOIR (POWER STEERING)