Got a leaking power steering pump on a '95 Corolla, 4AFE engine and 175000 km on the clock. As far as I can see, the pump is leaking at the backing plate. Supposedly, when the backing plate is removed, there should be a spring holding another plate and a seal. I am guessing that this seal is probably cracked, and that is why the pump is leaking. Now, is my guess reasonable or should I just start looking for a new pump? The pump is functioning fine otherwise, no weird noises or twitching in steering wheel. It does not seem to be leaking all that much, when I started the engine I could not see where it was leaking from, but in about a week the leaked fluid flows downwards and reaches down to the oil pan gasket.
Any opinions, tips? Re-seal or get a new pump? Removing the pump does not seem too difficult at first glance, any hidden obstacles?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Got a leaking power steering pump on a '95 Corolla, 4AFE engine and 175000 km on the clock. As far as I can see, the pump is leaking at the backing plate. Supposedly, when the backing plate is removed, there should be a spring holding another plate and a seal. I am guessing that this seal is probably cracked, and that is why the pump is leaking. Now, is my guess reasonable or should I just start looking for a new pump? The pump is functioning fine otherwise, no weird noises or twitching in steering wheel. It does not seem to be leaking all that much, when I started the engine I could not see where it was leaking from, but in about a week the leaked fluid flows downwards and reaches down to the oil pan gasket.
Any opinions, tips? Re-seal or get a new pump? Removing the pump does not seem too difficult at first glance, any hidden obstacles?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Buy a seal kit. I don't remember the cost but it was cheap. Or if you just want to get a rebuilt, do that. That was the easy part. Removing the pump and replacing it was horrible. No room at all. You will need to bleed the whole system when you finished. I downloaded instructions somewhere,, but I can't remember where they are to download. Bleeding it of air was easy.
I developed a leak in my power steering pump after I decided to changed the fluid. I went the cheap route and bought Bardahls power steering stop leak and it worked after two applications. It only cost 5 dollars and worth a try on an older vehicle.
Don't know about the stop leak stuff. I would certainly not like to clog something up, as the whole steering gear package costs just about both legs and an arm. I have ordered the seal kit for now. I hope it works out fine. Thanks for the tip though.
Don't know about the stop leak stuff. I would certainly not like to clog something up, as the whole steering gear package costs just about both legs and an arm. I have ordered the seal kit for now. I hope it works out fine. Thanks for the tip though.
I dunno, depending on you, but I would get a new or reman pump and replace it. I've rebuilt the pump on my LandCruiser. A bit messy and a fair amount of little parts. For my Corolla I just replaced the pump. I wouldn't replace just one seal. If you're going through the trouble of taking it apart, do the whole thing. Stop leak is a bandaid. They usually work by making your old crusty leaky seals swell. When it stops working, you'll leak even worse.
I knew that my PS fluid reservoir was leaking too. Kind of weird actually, cause it was not leaking where it goes into the pump, but at the bottom plate. It appeared like it must have rusted through, except there was virtually no rust on the reservoir otherwise. Every time I checked the pump I could find the fluid on the pump so I assumed that the pump must have been leaking too. Finally I took a small mirror and managed to have a good look at the pump right after a short drive and only half a day after wiping the pump dry. Then I saw that there was a pretty good chance that the fluid on the pump might actually have come from the reservoir leak. The flow path was quite clear this time.
Removing and re-sealing the pump did not look all that easy, compared to just changing the reservoir so I thought, that I try the reservoir first and see how it turns out. I have been driving for a week now, and the pump appears to be tight. I had to wait a couple of days before I could draw any conclusions, because the pump was pretty much covered in fluid after changing the reservoir, so it was hard to know if any discovered fluid came from a leak on the pump or missed spots after changing the reservoir and cleaning.
Guess if I'm glad I did not have to remove the pump
I dunno, depending on you, but I would get a new or reman pump and replace it. I've rebuilt the pump on my LandCruiser. A bit messy and a fair amount of little parts. For my Corolla I just replaced the pump. I wouldn't replace just one seal. If you're going through the trouble of taking it apart, do the whole thing. Stop leak is a bandaid. They usually work by making your old crusty leaky seals swell. When it stops working, you'll leak even worse.
a rebuilt pump is like $175.00 at the cheapest, the kit was about $10.00, if I remember right..
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
so I thought, that I try the reservoir first and see how it turns out. I have been driving for a week now, and the pump appears to be tight. I had to wait a couple of days before I could draw any conclusions, because the pump was pretty much covered in fluid after changing the reservoir, so it was hard to know if any discovered fluid came from a leak on the pump or missed spots after changing the reservoir and cleaning.
Linear Mode
