Power steering issue

Eight08 · Dusty Truck Joined: Jun 06, 2015 Posts: 70 Location: Mesa

I'm having some power steering issues, although intermittent it's still incredibly annoying. I have perfect power steering for 100 miles or so, then goes away for 80 miles or so, then it's good again. I replaced both OTRE's and got a Set of TC UCA's installed as well. That seemed to help temporarily but didn't fix it. I flushed the fluid and cleaned the resivior several months ago. My tires are worn but I've had worse on the fj without issues. Im thinking about replacing the sensor on the pump but I don't want to just start throwing parts at it hoping for the best. Any input is greatly appreciated!

Thanks Guys!

nimrag · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 8:45 pm Post subject: Re: Power steering issue

I don’t know about the power steering problem, but do you still have the parrot?

Eight08 · Dusty Truck Joined: Jun 06, 2015 Posts: 70 Location: Mesa

No unfortunately I had to re-home him, about a year ago. He kept attacking me and it was always out of the blue. I was able to find a lady that converted her backyard into an aviary and her being a bird expert I felt really confident that I found a good home for him. If I had boobs I would probably still have him, he was really fond of women.

nimrag · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 10:50 pm Post subject: Re: Power steering issue

That’s kinda funny.

I got him from a lady and he was nice to her. He was nice to me at first, but got aggressive with me a couple times.

That’s when you got him.

Homedad · Master Wheeler Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 9290

The steering link has a tiny u joint right by the rack...access thru driver wheel well....it fails and you get what you got.

Easy fix...replace it

Eight08 · Dusty Truck Joined: Jun 06, 2015 Posts: 70 Location: Mesa

Thank you, I'll try that

Homedad · Master Wheeler Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 9290

Any luck?

Eight08 · Dusty Truck Joined: Jun 06, 2015 Posts: 70 Location: Mesa

Homedad wrote:

Any luck?

Sorry, been really busy lately. I spoke Phx rack and axle and they convinced me that it was the power steering sensor. So i replaced it and it didnt fix the problem. Now that i have a little time i cant find anyone who carries it. Any ideas where i source this part? I also need to find a couple xfer case mounts. I'd love to get this taken care of so i can make that box canyon run in march. I haven't been out since summer and I'm going crazy!

calichaos · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2019 7:09 am Post subject: Re: Power steering issue

yeah having a bit of a challenge finding the correct part as well...

parts.toyota.com/a/Toy...-4505.html

more searching here:
parts.olathetoyota.com...gas-engine

perhaps this?
parts.toyota.com/p/Toy...35370.html

I was disappointed that Phoenix Rack & Axle steered you wrong on the sensor. {ahh puns}

Jimbolio · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2019 7:44 am Post subject: Re: Power steering issue

Is this the part that homdad recommended?
parts.olathetoyota.com...wtdjYtZ2Fz

Eight08 · Dusty Truck Joined: Jun 06, 2015 Posts: 70 Location: Mesa

Jimbolio wrote:

Is this the part that homdad recommended?
parts.olathetoyota.com...wtdjYtZ2Fz

So I'm confident they have the part I need so talked to Will at Sierra to verify. While I was there one of the techs came out and asked how my steering was. He had an experience with another Toyota that had same symptoms as me. They replaced pretty much the whole steering system, including the intermediate shaft and that didn't fix it. What did fix it was flushing the system several times. He also said that Toyota recommends power steering flushes every 30k. What do you guys think?

Jimbolio · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2019 12:15 pm Post subject: Re: Power steering issue

I think I'm 130,000 miles overdue for a power steering flush.

Eight08 · Dusty Truck Joined: Jun 06, 2015 Posts: 70 Location: Mesa

Ok! So picked up the intermediate shaft from the dealer yesterday and as I pulled out onto the street my steering came back. Kinda like a kid about to get a whoopin and now he wants to behave (I was that kid). I replaced it today and it seems that these couplers will only go in one way. I even tried to put it back in wrong just to see if would and I couldn't. Well apparently you can because now my steering wheel is not level when I'm driving straight and my VCS indicator lights are on. I didnt think my steering wheel would bother me being like that but yeah, it does.

The steering feels good but I'm curious to see if it stays good. The one I pulled out didn't seem that bad. The way it was acting I expected at least a boot to be rotted away or something but no it seemed fine.

I think I'm gonna try to pull the end off the rack side and see if i can re-align it.

I'd like to thank everyone who offered their opinions.😁

Eight08 · Dusty Truck Joined: Jun 06, 2015 Posts: 70 Location: Mesa

Nope! Issue still remains. Got the wheels in sync with the steering wheel, indicator lights are off. Went for a ride out to sycamore, everything was fine until I pulled out onto the highway. That's when my power steering went out again. Guess I'll try flushing.

Eight08 · Dusty Truck Joined: Jun 06, 2015 Posts: 70 Location: Mesa

So I finally had time to flush my power steering fluid. 3quarts of mobile1 synthetic ATF and I have power steering again! I won't be completely convinced until it lasts a few hundred miles tho. Goin out to Butcher Jones for awhile, we'll see how she acts.

Thanks Again for everyone's input!