Steering Pump Freezing?!

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Did a few searches, nothing on this topic...

Due to a bout of really cold weather this week (-20 degrees Celcius and colder), I've found out the hard way that my steering pump is prone to freezing-up on my 1991 GT-S. It will be fine in town, but after five minutes on the highway, I have absolutely NO power to the rack. I inspected the reservoir, and the fluid isn't even circulating. If I let it idle for 10 or 15 minutes, power returns (very inconvenient, given that I'm using the car for deliveries).

Has anyone else experienced this? My various Camrys and Corollas have never done this, so I'm a little at a loss...perhaps a flush/bleed of the system will help?

[Pineapple]

If the pump freeze, your belt will be screaming. Not sure what's wrong.

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Yeah, I would have expected the belt to just fry right off the pulley, but no... it turns freely on the pump even when it's frozen. This is really weird, I'm going to flush and bleed the fluid and hope to hell it helps. I noticed today that, when it's frozen up, and as I turn the wheel, it pulses. I'll get power for a quarter turn, then nothing, then power, then nothing. I'm stumped, because I even checked the u-joint on the rack for ice and it's fine. Oh well, I didn't buy it for a winter car anyways. The Camry will have to do.

[toyomoho]

When the problem occurs is there any difference in the amount (or loss of) power steering force when turning to the steering wheel left and right? Is it easier or harder to turn the wheel one way then the other?

Check for air in the system by turning the steering wheel and watching the fluid lever in the reservoir. If it drops a lot there could be air in the system. The fluid should only drop a slight amount when turning.

To bleed the system turn the wheel fully lock to lock several times.

[Bdub215]

Originally Posted by TBayToyotaBoy

Yeah, I would have expected the belt to just fry right off the pulley, but no... it turns freely on the pump even when it's frozen. This is really weird, I'm going to flush and bleed the fluid and hope to hell it helps. I noticed today that, when it's frozen up, and as I turn the wheel, it pulses. I'll get power for a quarter turn, then nothing, then power, then nothing. I'm stumped, because I even checked the u-joint on the rack for ice and it's fine. Oh well, I didn't buy it for a winter car anyways. The Camry will have to do.

i'll throw in my two cents with a similar problem. my dads 90 gts does the same thing when the car is cold and under full lock. i was driving it today and not only did i get a squealing belt, i got the pulsating steering and a CEL and i was just making a u-turn!. however it was only 35f outside so i doubt the pump freezing is my problem

[PittsburghCeli]

Just sounds like the belt is slipping. Tighten it and do a flush. Next time it happens with a tight belt it will break the belt or squeal if there is really a problem. Then get a new pump...and belt. Might just be something on the belt making it slip. Any fluid leaks?

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Well, as it turned out the problem was a build-up of ice and snow inside the wheel wells where I couldn't see it very well. I wasn't getting a squealing belt because the pump was working, it was just straining really hard to mash the tires past the ice build-up. The temp drop caused the slush to solidify completely, especially around the strut assembly. At the same time, the temp drop caused the suspension to drop about 1/2" or so, causing the car to almost "sit" on the ice...

Now I've got to find a way of coating the inner fenders with oil or something to discourage this crappy ice build-up. thanks to all who chimed in with suggestions.

[fredk]

spray them with pam cooking spray