I know that 35's and hard wheeling take their toll on the power steering system but would like to know what is "normal".
For starters, when I first got my rig i verified fluid levels and even sniffed my dipstick I don't remember if I looked at the color of the fluid or not.
When I recently changed the fluid on my 4Runner, I remember it smelling used. I don't remember the fluid from the LX smelling bad at first though. It does a little now.
This is what i'm experiencing now. From a dead stop, if I start steering right away, the wheel fights a little (kind of a little jerk or snap). This has progressed to the same type of steering wheel "feedback" at high speeds. Cruising down the highway, the road bends slightly and as I steer, the wheel has little glitches that I can feel in my hands. When I first lifted my truck, the steering was perfect.
Do you think that changing the fluid will help or is proper fluid maintinence just going to increse longevity? If there actually a portion of the PS system at fault, where do I start? I know that a simple swap out/upgrade isn't an option from what I've read. If there were a better long term improvement I'd like to know.
I'm definately going to change the fluid immediately although I'm not hoping for any improvement. I have the FSM, but what's the best/ easiest way to do the exchange?
For starters, when I first got my rig i verified fluid levels and even sniffed my dipstick I don't remember if I looked at the color of the fluid or not.
When I recently changed the fluid on my 4Runner, I remember it smelling used. I don't remember the fluid from the LX smelling bad at first though. It does a little now.
This is what i'm experiencing now. From a dead stop, if I start steering right away, the wheel fights a little (kind of a little jerk or snap). This has progressed to the same type of steering wheel "feedback" at high speeds. Cruising down the highway, the road bends slightly and as I steer, the wheel has little glitches that I can feel in my hands. When I first lifted my truck, the steering was perfect.
Do you think that changing the fluid will help or is proper fluid maintinence just going to increse longevity? If there actually a portion of the PS system at fault, where do I start? I know that a simple swap out/upgrade isn't an option from what I've read. If there were a better long term improvement I'd like to know.
I'm definately going to change the fluid immediately although I'm not hoping for any improvement. I have the FSM, but what's the best/ easiest way to do the exchange?