Power steering on the fritz (1 Viewer)

[Doc]

It's been getting cold here lately and part of my brain wants to attribute the following behavior to the change in temps, but I thought I'd better ask around before I start ignoring a potentially serious problem.

The wifey's 80 has been acting like it has 'intermittant' power steering. It's especially bad right after start up, but continues for some time.

For example: This morning we started the 80, even let it warm up for about 3 minutes while I finished some paperwork. When we hopped in it on our way to church this morning it was difficult to turn the wheel. No groans or squeels that normall accompany PS problems though. Then it was fine for a few blocks, but when we made the 90 degree left hand turn into the parking lot it was like 50% power steering.

After service (1.5 hrs) hopped back in the truck and headed towards Menards (hardware store across the street) Basically I had no PS at all the first time I went to turn the wheel, it took all of my strength to turn the truck as it backed out. (those damn Firstone's are GRIPPY!) Then it was fine.

Is this symptoms of cold PS fluid or something on it's way out?

 

[cruiserdan]

The fluid level is?????

 

[semlin]

if there is plenty of fluid is there maybe a nearly flat tire?

 

[landtank]

ever have the vibration damper off?

 

[Doc]

Fluid level is OK.

Flat tire? I would have to run over a land mine to get a flat. No there's no flat.

What's the vibration damper??

 

[RavenTai]

What's the vibration damper??

I think he is referring to the harmonic balancer, the main pulley on the front of the motor, is vibration damper the Toyota term?

LT if you are going where I think you are would there not be a loss of oil pressure at the same time?

 

[Doc]

Never had that piece off while I owned the truck.

 

[semlin]

Doc,

I don't know what tires you are running but I guess I should get some. What I meant was that a slow leak that has not fully showed itself yet could perhaps cause your symptoms when the weight is on that tire.

Anyway, it sounds like the pump but here are some random thoughts

-Has someone changed the p/s fluid lately and maybe not bled it properly or used the wrong fluid?

-if it is the pump, it sounds like you are losing pressure or failing to generate it yet you are not seeing an external p/s fluid leak. that makes it sound like something failing in the pump but just in case is there any sign of p/s fluid contamination in the engine oil? christo had a post a while back about this happening.

-bad steering stabilizer? I think this is pretty unlikely.

-bad trunnion bearing? Are these original bearings or, if you have redone the birfs lately, did you set the preload?

-bad steering box? was this truck ever in a front end accident that could have left residual damage to the box?

 

[Doc]

Semlin- Firestone Destination MT's (8 or 10 ply, I forget which) They're about two months old. I'll check the tire pressure tonight, but I'd be suprised it that was it.

I topped off the PS fluid using the Dexron III as it said in the manual about a month back. Last night the mini dip stick on the PS resivoir cap appeared to be full, I will check it again tonight when checking the tire pressure.

Did a birf job about three months ago using new knuckle bearings, and set pre-load as best I could.

 

[semlin]

doc, do you mean the preload on the wheel bearings or did you reset the knuckle preload too (e.g., change the shims)? I think it's pretty rare that this would cause a problem but if you did find you had to change the shims you might want to consider that as a possibility. Unfortunately you would have to unhook everything to test it.

just another thought given the time since the birf work would be loosened bolts on the lower kunckle housing studs.

 

[Doc]

I didn't change the knuckle pre-load. Shims are the same.

I'll add the nuts to the 'to check tonight list'.