1987 FX16 Power Steering Issues

[SEB285]

Good Evening - I'm a relatively new FX16 owner and have posted a couple of times with varying success. Still learning each day with a long way to go.

Issue at hand: The FX16 I acquired has power steering and AC. Neither one is working. The seller indicated that all the power steering needed was a power steering belt and all the AC needed was a charge. I am discovering that this is not the case. Have been to the two local pick-n-pulls and there are no FX16's around. No surprise I am learning.

I read the power steering belt thread from a couple of years ago but I need help.

My mechanic said today that there were 2 belts. The one broken for certain is for the power steering and he said the AC as well. Consistent with the earlier discussion thread. The dealer parts lookup shows three belts, but it certainly seems there are only 2. The engine is a 4AGEL blue top. Appears original. Has only 117k miles on it, so I'm thinking this could be my ride for a while, which is good. Perfect for me where I am now.

The pulley that holds the power steering belt is shot. Looks like the nut or whatever held it in place fell off. The end of the rod is shot and needs at a minimum rethreading. The mechanic said also most likely I'll need a power steering pump as well. The Toyota parts guy priced out the parts alone at over $600 (pump, pulley, belt). My own research comes in much lower with reconditioned parts. The mechanic said go pull the pulley and a power steering pump from a junkyard, but unless they are the same as some other Corolla or Toyota models from around that time, that ain't gonna happen.

What are my options? Any thoughts? Do I need to get a repair manual to identify the parts themselves? I bought an Owner’s Manual from Toyota Pubs, but it doesn’t get that specific on parts. Is there a guide to which other Corollas or other Toyotas use the same parts?

Thanks in advance for any help. Much appreciated.

[punter]

I don't see why anything would be wrong with the pump. It should be fine

So the tensioner for the belt is broken?
They aren't complicated, it should be easy to repair, or to make/modify one to do the same job. Take your tensioner off, and go hunting in a junkyard, try find one the same or similar.

As for the belts, just measure the length you need (string makes this easy) count the number of ribs, and find that belt at your local auto store.

[AVANT]

Hello fellow FX16 owner

Yes, there are only 2 belts. AC and PS sharing one of them.

The tensioner is nothing more than a bolt with a pully assembly at the end. I'm on my 3 "tensioner" pully. I pulled my last one from a AE92 GTS. Try to expand your search to anything front wheel drive 4AGE powered if you have no luck finding FXs. I've actually run into several FX16s at my PnP, so don't rule out PnP for future parts.

I'd just try a belt, pulley, and some ps fluid to see if it works. Don't invest in a pump when you may not need it.

[SEB285]

Thanks. I'll be out at the PnP again Saturday and I'll try and find some other cars that might have some compatible parts.

Am also working on a more reasonable parts plan -- new or reconditioned -- with a local parts store. The numbers are considerably less than those from the dealer.

I've had some additiional counsel similar to yours to try and replace the belt, pulley, and nut first before buying or trying to find a power steering pump.

Appreciate your assistance and hope for some more ideas as well.