Power steering exploded - what should I do?

[ekolpack]

While driving today my power steering cut out, pulled over, noticed a big puddle right under where the reservoir and hoses are, and splatter marks inside the engine compartment. No leaks at all before, just sudden catastrophic failure.

Had to go to work so couldnt fully diagnose but I'm pretty sure its a blown hose, and likely the high pressure hose. These hoses are extremely expensive from Toyota. Should I go aftermarket? Good opportunity to replace the pump too? Any other suggestions? Thanks!

 

[bloc]

I don't see how this would be related to your failing AC, but this would be one hell of a coincidence.

 

[ekolpack]

I don't see how this would be related to your failing AC, but this would be one hell of a coincidence.

Yeah man, I guess when it rains it pours

Lucky for me I have sooooo much extra money just sitting around right now that I don't know what to do with! Yaaaay!

 

[ryanCA]

mine needed a new steering rack at 285 k miles

hope yours is just a hose

 

[ekolpack]

mine needed a new steering rack at 285 k miles

hope yours is just a hose

I noticed a splatter pattern near the power steering reservoir area. So it was high pressure enough to actually splatter, but located high enough in the vehicle to be near the reservoir (or at least splatter so much that it made it up into that area). There was no obvious issues with hose clamps or connections in/around that area, so I'm hoping it's something super stupid like the reservoir itself or a hose near the reservoir. I don't think it would be the steering rack, but I suppose anything is possible.....could be that some other issue downstream caused the burst/leak.

 

[ryanCA]

I noticed a splatter pattern near the power steering reservoir area. So it was high pressure enough to actually splatter, but located high enough in the vehicle to be near the reservoir (or at least splatter so much that it made it up into that area). There was no obvious issues with hose clamps or connections in/around that area, so I'm hoping it's something super stupid like the reservoir itself or a hose near the reservoir. I don't think it would be the steering rack, but I suppose anything is possible.....could be that some other issue downstream caused the burst/leak.

Mine started pouring out on the bottom after every drive. Reading all the other threads, let me to steering rack.

Replaced, and good as gold.

Hoepfully your problem are easier than mine.

 

[2021 LC200]

OEM steering rack aka stearing gear assy at Toyota looks like around $1200

In case you are considering DIY, a video which looks doable although well beyond regular maintenance:

 

[PDoyle]

Damn. That looks like a lot of fun.

 

[2021 LC200]

Well, take this for what it is worth;

I like to wrench on a vehicle which has good DNA and the potential for (much) longer enjoyable ownership. So while a bigger repair like this is no fun, selling and buying (potentially with other problems) is not a good value proposition either. Fix it with OEM parts and go after putting another 100 or 200k miles on it.

 

[ekolpack]

That does look like kind of a fun job, but I don't think it will be necessary. Tested the reservoir for leaks, it's good. Re-installed and put oil in it. Fluid is definitely dripping from the feed line and coming from above (ie. somewhere between the reservoir and where the feed line does a little U-bend before rising slightly to meet the pump. So basically, it's the feed line (or clamps?). I wasn't aware the feed line was under such high pressure!

Anyway, a genuine Toyota hose is like $60+shipping and will take several days to get here. Good ole Amazon, I got a hose for $12, no tax, free shipping, and it'll be here tomorrow. Normally I'd buy genuine OEM stuff. But this is literally just a bent hose, no moving parts, not even fittings/connectors, just hose clamps which I'll be replacing with new ones anyway. Seller has 99% rating....hopefully it's not junk and I'm back in there in a few months.

 

[ekolpack]

Well I ain't no hose pipe scientists or nothin but that looks like the problem right there...

 

[2021 LC200]

Two quick questions;

Can you determine this was an OEM hose? You know the full history of your 200?

Given the picture and what seems a cut from the outside followed by a rupture; Can you determine whether the hose was in contact with something sharp/rubbing against something else? Perhaps relocated the power fluid reservoir for a second battery?

 

[hoser]

Well I ain't no hose pipe scientists or nothin but that looks like the problem right there...

The problem is finding what caused that burn/abrasion.

 

[ekolpack]

Well, I don't know the full history of the vehicle. I got it at a salvage auto auction, it hydroplaned off the road and landed in a ditch. There really wasn't any damage to the front, but who knows what could've happened. There was a TON of gravel and debris all over when I got it.

Also, I moved the PS reservoir slightly to accommodate a second Group 27 battery (BARELY fits). I checked for clearance all around (obviously) when I did this and it looked fine. I reattached the hose and got a pic of where the leak is. It actually looks closer to the serpentine belt than it really is. Not only is it about 1-2" away horizontally, which you can kinda see in the pic, but the leak is 3-4" above vertically where the serpentine belt/pulley sits (which you can't tell in the pic). Also, the way the cut(??) is angled, there's no way it could be the belt/pulley. It's roughly 180 deg rotated from what would happen if it did somehow contact the belt, which isn't really possible as far as I can tell (it'd have to move an inch or two over and several inches down). So I'm really not sure what happened here. But when I put the new one on, I'm going to add some split loom conduit and check regularly if it's wearing in that same area, or anywhere else. If nothing after a few weeks or months, I'm going to just chalk it up to something that happened when it flew off the road, or some kind of randomness.

 

[rscoleman]

If the pump ran dry and you ran it like that for a while I would replace the pump. Aftermarket hoses would be ok with me as long as they are good quality hoses. Not really sure how you tell that these days. Last time I had to replace a hose for something like this was probably 20+ years ago.

 

[ekolpack]

If the pump ran dry and you ran it like that for a while I would replace the pump. Aftermarket hoses would be ok with me as long as they are good quality hoses. Not really sure how you tell that these days. Last time I had to replace a hose for something like this was probably 20+ years ago.

It ran partially dry for maybe a couple minutes.

 

[2021 LC200]

Perhaps the hose moves some when you go to full lock or the folks repairing the vehicle after the accident used a cheap replacement. Since you will be spending time working on this maybe worth the extra $.

Something from Amazon is likely low tier quality instead of buying original direct from a Toyota dealer (often with some online discount)

 

[ekolpack]

Perhaps the hose moves some when you go to full lock or the folks repairing the vehicle after the accident used a cheap replacement.

Something from Amazon is likely low tier quality instead of buying original direct from a Toyota dealer (often with some online discount)

I did all the repairs on the vehicle, and there was no damage in the front. It's just not possible that cut (?) came from the belt. It'd have to move several inches and twist/rotate 180 deg.

I'll compare the Amazon hose with the OEM one pulled off when it arrives. $60 for a tiny little 18" basic hose (no metal weave or anything) is kinda ludicrous.

 

[2021 LC200]

I did all the repairs on the vehicle, and there was no damage in the front. It's just not possible that cut (?) came from the belt. It'd have to move several inches and twist/rotate 180 deg.

I'll compare the Amazon hose with the OEM one pulled off when it arrives. $60 for a tiny little 18" basic hose (no metal weave or anything) is kinda ludicrous.

Ok, makes sense and no right way to approach this in any case.

Any rubbing points other than the belt? As you know the engine due to torque will move pump side a bit so does that move your hose as well?

Good luck, making this probably more complicated than it is although thinking through something like this does not hurt.

 

[hoser]

Maybe your wife thought that was the brake line.