Power Steering problem 2005 XRS - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Marc M · 07-06-2009, 09:14 PM

At idle it is kinda difficult to turn the steering wheel. If I increase the RPM's it's fine.

Also while accelerating, I get a high pitched whine starting at 2500 RPM. It sounds like a supercharger whine.

Does it sound like the pump is bad or do I have a rack problem causing it?

Marc M

Axxis8203 · 07-06-2009, 09:23 PM

sounds like a pump issue. before replacing it at least try a fluid flush and see if that helps.

Marc M · 07-06-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axxis8203

sounds like a pump issue. before replacing it at least try a fluid flush and see if that helps.

That was going to be my first step in the diagnosis/repair process. The current fluid does not look like Dexron Type II or III Transmission fluid, it's brown in color.

Marc M

gideon1331 · 07-06-2009, 11:53 PM

I second the flush...sounds like a problem I had with my last corolla (94)...fluid was brown and very foul smelling. There was noise from the pump and at lower speeds (eg: parking lot) it would act like there was little or no power steering, especially when the system was cold.

Flushed it till the fluid ran cherry red and it was like new till the day I bought another corolla! Hopefully the pumps on the 9th gen are as resilient as the 7th gen...I think that car had 185,000 on it before the power steering fluid was ever changed.

I'll take my inefficient, mechanical, fluid-filled, maintenance-needing hydraulic system over electric assist any day!

Axxis8203 · 07-07-2009, 10:59 AM

on my new camry, the factory PS fluid is brown. so i think it just gets cloudy with age. i just keep some dex 3 on hand and with every oil change i drain and fill the PS reservoir and for me that's as good as a flush in the long run...

Marc M · 07-26-2009, 11:39 AM

Well, I flushed it out until the fluid was nice and red. I took it for a drive and got the same result with the noise and all.

I got a used pump from Tom's on eBay. I had to drop the lower cross-member to get the freakin pump out, what a PITA.

I took the opportunity to remove and clean out the resevoir as well.

Got the job completed and took it for a test drive and she's all better now.

That's good advice on the quick flush of the resevoir. These pumps are in the $400.00 dollar range from the dealer. I got mine for $70.00 shipped to my house.

Marc M