Power steering failure

[TJSAV]

Hey Mudders...
I have a '91 FJ80 with 2.5'' OME lift kit that i just bought in California. Drove it cross country to Savannah, GA without any issues. It has 197k original mileage and not a lick of rust. One day it died on me while driving. Troubleshooted it and turned out to be the Ignition Coil went bad. Easy replacement. Now the power steering is going nuts. First, it would whine and be real stiff until warmed up and then after shutting the vehicle down, the stiffness and whine would go away. I noticed a leak near the steering box coming down the frame. I picked up some Lucas power steering fluid thinking that it might help, now it whines and is stiffer then before. It doesn't whine when the steering is stiff but as soon as the power steering kicks in, she's screaming at me. I replaced the return line to the reservoir because it had fluid build up. I also bought a high pressure line but now I'm thinking that maybe it's the O ring in the steering gear box. The leak is coming from under the box and dripping down the frame. Would really appreciate some help and insight into what the issue might be before replacing the PSP or removing and rebuilding the steering box.

I appreciate your help!

Trevor

 

[Dave 2000]

Assuming the pipes are tight then the steering box has an issue, the noise you hear is the pump trying to pump air.

A quick get you out of trouble is top up with about a 1/4 cup of brake fluid, the leak will stop after a few miles.

Regards

Dave

 

[TJSAV]

Assuming the pipes are tight then the steering box has an issue, the noise you hear is the pump trying to pump air.

A quick get you out of trouble is top up with about a 1/4 cup of brake fluid, the leak will stop after a few miles.

Regards

Dave

Thanks Dave. Will the pump go bad if the box isn't replaced or rebuilt soon?

 

[Dave 2000]

Thanks Dave. Will the pump go bad if the box isn't replaced or rebuilt soon?

If it runs dry most certainly, a little air will not do any harm, try not to steer when stationary, a bad habit since power steering became the norm.

Regards

Dave

 

[TJSAV]

Since my last post, I've replaced the power steering pump and steering gear box but still having the same whinning and lack of power steering. I am noticing a slight leak on top of the frame below the gear box but not from the top where the lines are coming in. The system is sucking in air from somewhere and I don't believe it's the pressure lines because there are no signs of fluid leaks. After digging through an old service manual, I noticed that there are several O-rings on the intermediate shaft that attaches the steering column to the gear box. Has anyone else had this issue before or am I still chasing ghosts?
Thanks Mudders!

 

[jonheld]

Couple of thoughts.
Are you sure the whining sound is not the belt slipping?
The 3FE has a poor belt design. As you tighten the PS pump idler pulley, it decreases the wrap on the PS pump pulley. Have someone watch the pulley as you load the steering.

The FJ80 PS pumps were discontinued about 15 years ago, so anything you purchased is either rebuilt or aftermarket. There have been complaints about aftermarket pumps.

If your "new" steering box is leaking, then it sounds like a faulty box.

The PS lines cross very very close to the alternator on the 3FE. The 91 alternator had an external fan that can easily damage a line. Ask me how I know.

 

[PTills]

Hey just A thought. I have a brand new OEM Fj80 power steering pump new in box if you have any interest. I bought last year with a few parts and don't have a FJ80 PM if interested I will give you a good price

 

[TJSAV]

Couple of thoughts.
Are you sure the whining sound is not the belt slipping?
The 3FE has a poor belt design. As you tighten the PS pump idler pulley, it decreases the wrap on the PS pump pulley. Have someone watch the pulley as you load the steering.

The FJ80 PS pumps were discontinued about 15 years ago, so anything you purchased is either rebuilt or aftermarket. There have been complaints about aftermarket pumps.

If your "new" steering box is leaking, then it sounds like a faulty box.

The PS lines cross very very close to the alternator on the 3FE. The 91 alternator had an external fan that can easily damage a line. Ask me how I know.

Thanks Jon, I appreciate the insights. I'll double check the belt. The box was a rebuild from Cruiser Parts whom I believe is reputable but you never know. I'll check the belt and replace the O-rings on the intermediate shaft and see if that does anything. Thanks again.

 

[TJSAV]

Hey just A thought. I have a brand new OEM Fj80 power steering pump new in box if you have any interest. I bought last year with a few parts and don't have a FJ80 PM if interested I will give you a good price

Thank you for the offer. I've replaced the pump twice already so pretty certian it's not that but I will absolutely keep you in mind if I do decide to change for a third time.

 

[jonheld]

Thanks Jon, I appreciate the insights. I'll double check the belt. The box was a rebuild from Cruiser Parts whom I believe is reputable but you never know. I'll check the belt and replace the O-rings on the intermediate shaft and see if that does anything. Thanks again.

FYI, Cruiser Parts in NH is a frequent flyer on the bad sellers section. Personally I would have gone with Redhead for a steering box.