Power Steering Pump "Slug"

[LandLocked93]

Ok folks. I've searched the forum and the FSM ('94 model) - no mention of this little doodad.

My '93 blew a small piece of aluminum out of the steering pump and puked all the fluid onto Hwy 67 headed out of Cripple Creek when it downshifted from 3rd to second gear.

I have no pic and shoved the piece back into the pump (orientation be damned). Just to get home, I did not refill the fluid and man-muscled that mother 50 miles back to the Springs. lol Never heard another peep from the pump (could be horq't now tho, yeah?)

The FSM makes no mention of the piece in its text. It is about 1/2" long, cylindrical with a single groove and an orange o-ring on one end, and sort of scoop shaped (kinda like a fingernail) on the other. THERE ARE NO THREADS on this piece. It is located on the rear-facing end of the pump, somewhat inline with the banjo-bolted hose coming in from [somewhere, can't recall - didn't have much time roadside].

A general mechanic suggested in passing that it is a blowout plug (freeze plug?) designed to blow when pressures exceed designed limits. Ok. But then he said, "Yeah, just push it back in there, refill the fluid, bleed the system, and it should be good." THAT I find hard to believe.

Regardless, anyone out there with some knowledge or experience with this little piece? Huge thanks in advance.

 

[1911garand]

FZJ80 ps Pump

I have a 1997 lx450 and I think my power steering pump may have gone out. I was out in the snow when fluid started spewing from a hole in the pump. Covered it with some metal and zip ties and got home. Looking at it now, it looks like there might be a plug that is missing. Does anyone know of a...

forum.ih8mud.com

Plug screw on the back of the PS pump backed out; need replacement.

forum.ih8mud.com

Power steering pump

Whenever I add power steering fluid to the reservoir it goes straight through A whole in my power steering pump onto the ground. Is there supposed to be a plug in that hole or is there something wrong internally with pump?

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[1911garand]

Recently on MUD:

FZJ80 ps Pump

I have a 1997 lx450 and I think my power steering pump may have gone out. I was out in the snow when fluid started spewing from a hole in the pump. Covered it with some metal and zip ties and got home. Looking at it now, it looks like there might be a plug that is missing. Does anyone know of a...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[LandLocked93]

FZJ80 ps Pump

I have a 1997 lx450 and I think my power steering pump may have gone out. I was out in the snow when fluid started spewing from a hole in the pump. Covered it with some metal and zip ties and got home. Looking at it now, it looks like there might be a plug that is missing. Does anyone know of a...

forum.ih8mud.com

Plug screw on the back of the PS pump backed out; need replacement.

forum.ih8mud.com

Power steering pump

Whenever I add power steering fluid to the reservoir it goes straight through A whole in my power steering pump onto the ground. Is there supposed to be a plug in that hole or is there something wrong internally with pump?

forum.ih8mud.com

Strangely, I'd read these very threads a couple weeks ago just perusing for knowledge. Since I'd not had the issue, I wasn't really familiar with what and where the subject of the threads was located. And funny, when roadside trying to figure out what to do, I recalled reading the bit about, "...using cork, rubber, JBweld, etc to plug a hole...". I thought, "well, I have a hole needing plugging now." Didn't connect the two till just now. lol

So I'll count myself lucky that that plug ended up landing on the hard lines running parallel to the oil pan. I simply picked it up, cleaned it off, and jammed it back in the hole. But I surmise it will jettison itself pretty quickly when under fluid pressure.

What is the recommended epoxy to cram in behind this plug?

 

[1911garand]

I'd use the ol' JB weld - available almost anywhere. Good luck and please post pics and results of the fix...because I will probably need this info someday too!

 

[Kernal]

Some people have used JB Weld for this repair. Any heavy duty two part epoxy should work. I've had good luck with some JB Weld products, bad luck with others, poor quality control or out of date products (they don't put an obvious expiration date on the products which might sit in a warehouse or on the shelf for many months), IME.

J-B Weld Products

Discover the world's strongest bond with J-B Weld products. Sort by and find the perfect solution for your job. Need help? We've got you covered.

www.jbweld.com

3M and Loctite seem to have more consistent results/quality IME.

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Amazon product ASIN B00JLBTLD6

 

[BILT4ME]

I used JB Weld two-part steel colored epoxy on a neighbor's truck as a "Temporary fix" over two years ago. Still working for his DD.

The key is getting all the parts CLEAN with Brakleen or equal to get the oil residue off. We basically filled the remainder of the hole with the epoxy, then let it sit for two days to fully cure before he drove it.

 

[LandLocked93]

I'd use the ol' JB weld - available almost anywhere. Good luck and please post pics and results of the fix...because I will probably need this info someday too!

I'll certainly try to post pics. The weather is the biggest limiting factor to getting this handled. Will post when I can.

Thanks yet again to the best 80 forum and folks online.

 

[NLXTACY]

Would love to get my hands on the plug. I just need measurements

 

[LandLocked93]

Would love to get my hands on the plug. I just need measurements

I tell ya what...I'm thinking the plug will shoot straight out when I add fluid back to the system. It'd be helpful if it did so I could do better cleaning before JB Welding.

If it does, I will take many close ups with as precision a measuring device I can find. If it doesn't...ugh. I know I can move it in and out of the hole a few millimeters with an Allen wrench that fits the Allen head that's on it. I'll see what I can do.

 

[Rifleman]

Seeing as how often this issue seems to keep happening, maybe this should be made into a sticky.

Would love to get my hands on the plug. I just need measurements

Once you've got the measurements any small machine shop with a bar stock chucker, or a CNC lathe would be able to make you up a few hundred of those plugs for a reasonable price. That a way you could offer them for sale on your web site.

 

[NLXTACY]

I just so happen to have a CNC lathe and can do exactly that

 

[LandLocked93]

Final post...

I replaced all the power steering hoses (long-time to-do list item), blew out the paperclip for blockages, had to use a tent heater to soften the 300psi hydraulic 3/8"ID hoses enough to slide over the presumably not 3/8"OD hard lines in 30 degree Colorado weather, and refilled with fresh Toyota ATF (T3, don't give me any yuk-yuk. T2 is unobtainium).

After performing a combination of bleeding methods presented here over the years, took it for a 30 mile spin.

'Smitty' acts like nothing has happened. Power steering works fine. No froth, no drips, no whining.

And the stupid slug is staying put. I didn't jbweld it in or anything. I just put it back in and it's holding. I can slide it in and out a few millimeters, but it will not come out with as much tug as an off-angle allen wrench can provide (not much).

So, my apologies NLXTACY. I thought for sure I'd have some great pics and measures of that stupid thing. Should further issues arise, and the slug remains in my loose possession, I will certainly take pics next time.


Surely...*someone* can pop that badboy out of a pump they have lying a'boot and send it to you.