taco power steering problems

[BigAl]

I have a 96 taco and im having a hell of a time with my power steering. It wont work at idle but if i get above 2000 rpms itll work and then sometimes it wont work til im above 3grand. Its full of fluid, pulley is on tight and the belt is fine and all of the lines are tight with no leaks or any binds in them.

Any help anyone could give i'd appreciate.

 

[BigAl]

I will also add I'm running 33s and about 4.5-5 inches of lift and i was doing some snow wheeling when this started.

 

[FlatlandTRD]

Just a few questions for my own clarification. Does it have a body lift? What size tires? Is idle around 700rpms? Does the pump make any noises? Is it filled with ATF or PS fluid? How many miles on this thing?

It sounds like your steering rack is bad, or going bad. That would explain the intermittent failure. So you can start with the easiest/cheapest replacing all the fluid with fresh ATF per factory service manual (see sticky above), and continue troubleshooting from there. Check for play and worn parts, and let us know what you find. Good luck, and welcome.

Ah, you answered some questions while I was typing, very sneaky.

 

[BigAl]

3 inch body lift, after warm up idle is around 7-800 and it has ATF fluid in it, I just redid all fluids when i changed my oil 2 days ago. The old yota has 197,000, so I was hoping the steering rack wasnt going bad but Ive been in the garage all morning and that is my fear, but thanks for the help.

 

[FlatlandTRD]

3 inch body lift,

So is there a 3" spacer in the rag/steering shaft joint?

 

[BigAl]

I believe so, it had the body lift on it when i got it, i put the spacer and shackle lift on it, being this is the first problem i've had with steering i'd imagine so, id go check but its snowing and my cj is in the garage w no clutch

 

[raydouble]

3 inch body lift, after warm up idle is around 7-800 and it has ATF fluid in it, I just redid all fluids when i changed my oil 2 days ago. The old yota has 197,000, so I was hoping the steering rack wasnt going bad but Ive been in the garage all morning and that is my fear, but thanks for the help.

Were you having the problems before you re did your fluids?

 

[BigAl]

No, but im having no problems with it at all now, so i dont know what was going on and money is tight so i'm going to keep driving her til it breaks, but thanks to all that gave me input.

 

[BigAl]

FML so it was the pump i was pulling our subaru out of the 2 feet of snow we got and it blew fluid all over the engine bay it wont hold fluid now for longer than a few miles, would it be worth rebuilding or just buying a new pump. The pump at advance is 160.ish, with out a resivoir. I've never replaced one so any tricks I should know about?

 

[cruiser88]

stay away from the advance pumps....really

 

[raydouble]

Discount Toyota price is like $355 for the pump.

 

[cruiser88]

maybe napa............not Advance. I do admit I buy alot of stuff just not the pumps.

Hell I bought a real nice unit from Trail Gear for my 84......smaller ..more pressure etc. I don't think they make one for the Taco anyway?

 

[FlatlandTRD]

Some others have got a rebuild kit from the dealer ~$40 instead of replacing the pump... Power Steering Pump Rebuild

Otherwise, just make sure it has a great warranty, and might consider adding a PS cooler.