Power steering question (1 Viewer)

[fjman]

Our 4runner has, for as long as we've owned it, power steering issues. Its fine driving down the road, but parking lots suck and turning the wheel without the truck moving is a work out. If you rev up the engine, the powersteering will kick in a little. Driving down the road, it is definately working and not just that we're flying up the road.

I want to tighten the belt tension today and see if it helps since it seems a little loose but don't really think thats the problem.

I was going through the FSM and it says that the the air control valve is what causes the idle to kick up when you are turning to compensate for the increase pressure needed at the PS pump. If I pinch the hoses, I should see the idle change. It doesn't.

So, if this is the issue, how do I fix it? It appears that there is a place for a hose to go into the plastic peice that the hoses meet in but Im not sure and that just sounded confusing. The FSM doesn't really show this in detail (that I can find atleast).

John was saying the meeting he thought it was the steeringbox since thats what happened to his way back. Hopefully not, but we'll see.
I'll post a pic up in a minute about what part I'm talking about. just need to upload it.

Andrew

 

[fjman]

pic of the air contol hoses

Is somehting supposed to be running into that open port? I didn't see any differance in the idle when I put my finger over it, with or without the hoses clamped off...

looks more like an electrical connector

 

[fjman]

Also, I should add that the PS pump was replaced a few years ago right before we bought it. When we had the tires mounted about a year ago, the guys at Mr. kims did something to make it work better but don't know what they did. They didn't charge us or even tell us they did it. Apparently it was easier to make the PS work a bit better than do a 15 point turn to get it out of their garage.....

 

[greytandy]

Its fine driving down the road, but parking lots suck and turning the wheel without the truck moving is a work out.

Wuss! Just think of your forunner as a big FJ40.

(that's the extent of my (un)useful contribution to this thread)

 

[fjman]

Wuss! Just think of your forunner as a big FJ40.

(that's the extent of my (un)useful contribution to this thread)

That worked until the big white sticker got slapped on the windsheild... why didn't she take it my inspections guy.......

 

[Cruiser804]

What is the latest on this?

 

[fjman]

What is the latest on this?

Well I went out to a salvage yard in Marshall where they had a 4runner with a thrown timing belt (lots a good parts still there too). I pulled the whole powersteering assembly since I was unable to get the pulley off. I also left the high pressure hose on it and planned to just bolt it all up. Turns out that the hose on the junk truck (a 92) bolts into the hard lines at the frame rail. Really easy and just planned to swap it all. On a 95 its all one piece, or atleast it is with the aftermarket setup we currently have so I need to get the high pressure hose of the pump.
I couldn't get them appart the other day and got all pissed off (it was raining and cold....)

So I'm out to try and get it off now before it gets dark. Wish me luck.





if that stupid pulley would have just come off this would be so much easier....:whoops:

 

[fjman]

And the pumps are swapped. I htink I could have done it all over again in about 2 hours. I'll pick some fluid up at the store tonight and torque the union bolt down to spec in the morning and try it out.

The reject sticker expires tommorrow...

 

[emorth]

I was going through the FSM and it says that the the air control valve is what causes the idle to kick up when you are turning to compensate for the increase pressure needed at the PS pump. If I pinch the hoses, I should see the idle change. It doesn't.


Andrew

When the ps pump is under load, the air control valve opens to allows more air into the intake manifold which increases the engine RPM. If you increase the load on the pump and the RPM does not increase, I suspect the valve is not opening.
My 2 cents worth. Good luck,
Ed

 

[emorth]

Another way to think of it... If the system is balanced, as the ps pump increases the load on the engine, the valve opens and increases the air flow to the engine, which increases the engine's power output to match the load from the pump, so there may not be a noticeable increase in RPM. Power out = power in. But, if the engine RPM drops as the ps load increases, then the valve is not opening.

Ed

 

[Cruiser804]

Let us know if that fixes it

 

[fjman]

Well we will never know if it was the air control valve or the pump.... but it works really well now. Hopefully, Natalie's arms don't get all flabby now that she won't have to muscle the truck around parking lots anymore!

We'll see how long she enjoys it though, she wants to go test drive a G35..... I suppose the 4runner is worth a bit more with working powersteering if she decides to sell it,

 

[Cruiser804]

Awesome! Feels good don't it. Now you just need to rebuild your front axle...

 

[fjman]

Yeah, the axle is next I suppose. Plus, I really want a SOA setup. Gotta get on it.

Sure enough, the same day I fix the PS, she manages to puncture her tire with a fork in the road..... Jokingly... She came to a fork in the road.... So she took it with her...

She picked it up on our neighborhood street and everytime the fork hit the pavement, it let out a air pumping noise... My first thought was :crap, the PS pump is pumping out fluid. I was fed up with looking at the 4runner, so sears is plugging the tire for me in the morning....

On a positive note, I picked up some 17s for my mazda P5 today....

 

[Blue77FJ40]

Safety Seal. Works great. I have one for each vehicle.

 

[fjman]

I tried a can of Fix-a-Flat but it apprentely wasn't up to the task of a fork puncture. I'll pick up some Safety Seal though. I've seen it but haven't tried it.

 

[Blue77FJ40]

You get them online from their site. It's a plug kit, not a can o' seal.

Safety Seal - Tire Repair

 

[greytandy]

Safety Seal. Works great. I have one for each vehicle.

I have a spare tire and a jack in every vehicle.

 

[Blue77FJ40]

Funny guy. I can plug a tire and inflate it way faster and easier than I can move my Taco, drop its hidden spare tire, jack the vehicle, and swap tires. Especially when its parked back end in against the garage wall and the truck's tire is completely flat.

 

[fjman]

Yeah, the crank was all rusty on the 4runner and getting the tire down was a pain. I was going to buy a plug kit from Walmart that night and attempt to do it myself (although my motivation was lacking). They usually have a bunch of the kits. Apparently everyone is running over forks though since they were out of stock. Can't be that tough.

She runs over $hit all the time so I'm sure I'll get my chance....