Upgrade power steering pump? (1 Viewer)

[mattds]

My power steering (2016 GX, 130k km) with 35's is starting to have weak power steering.

Everything works well, but for example the other day I had deflated a tire to lower the vehicle to work on it...and was unable to dry steer the vehicle.

Is something wearing out? Is there just a pump upgrade to up the pressure?

 

[r2m]

My power steering (2016 GX, 130k km) with 35's is starting to have weak power steering.

Everything works well, but for example the other day I had deflated a tire to lower the vehicle to work on it...and was unable to dry steer the vehicle.

Is something wearing out? Is there just a pump upgrade to up the pressure?

Usually the hard core rock crawlers upgrade power steering pumps but they also upgrade the entire steering linkage too.
I image just replacing with OEM should be fine, assuming you're not always cranking the steering wheel when not moving. I know constantly cranking the steering wheel when not rolling is hard on the entire steering system, pump included. Personally I try to always be rolling a wee bit as I'm turning the wheel to relieve some of the stress, e.g. parallel parking, etc. I also know that when off roading, it's not always possible to do that, and you just have to crank it over when in a tight spot.

 

[mattds]

So you think the pump is just going? or the rack? I was looking at the RCLT with the tundra rack...but i put lockers and regeared the truck earlier this year so i've maxed out the fun budget lol.

it's not that bad, i'm quite conservative/cautious about the lines i take...but as you said..sometimes you have no choice.

I thought there was a company that would rebuild your pump for you and bore it out a little to up the pressure...i'm looking for that...

 

[Rednexus]

Being that you are in Toronto, it's likely your intermediate steering shaft that connects the column with the steering rack. It has a small U joint in it that can become corroded and dried out, making the steering hard (since the U joint is in front of the rack). Mine is a bit corroded and gets noticeably better when sprayed with PB Blaster. I have a new shaft (which is around $140 on Partsouq) but have not bothered installing it. In a rustier climate than here, I can see these joints getting pretty nasty and even seizing up.

I would just take a look at the U joint (which is just upstream of the rack on the steering shaft) and soak it in a penetrating oil. If that makes it better, either keep soaking it or just replace the intermediate steering shaft.

 

[mattds]

I've had this come loose a bit on me...and lubed and tighted this earlier this year.

Mainly I noticed that when I had my front locker engaged it was IMPOSSIBLE to steer when last year it was just very difficult.

 

[Jstawgn]

I've had this come loose a bit on me...and lubed and tighted this earlier this year.

Mainly I noticed that when I had my front locker engaged it was IMPOSSIBLE to steer when last year it was just very difficult.

That is very common with front locker. Nothing wrong with the steering rack / pump.

I wheel with jeeps sometimes and one of the common failure is front locker cannot disengage when the sensor wiring got damaged due to extra flex. With the front locker stuck on, they are absolutely not driveable on pavement even on 2WD.

Cannot install hydraulic steering on GX yet. PSC does not have a hydraulic steering system for IFS yet.

 

[185]

has the tesla eps retrofit mod been explored?

 

[mattds]

Is that a real thing? Incidentally my other car is a Tesla...ill look into it.