2002 Tacoma Double Cab needing replacment of entire power steering system 70k miles

On Tue, 01 Mar 2005 19:09:32 -0500, wrote:
[color=blue]
> Need help. I need to understand why, WHY, my entire power steering system
> in a 2002 Tacoma would need to be replaced with only 70,000 miles. This
> includes the rack, pump, and all lines... And the pump has already been
> replaced once under warranty at 57,000 miles due to a leak! The first pump
> was replaced about 1.5 years ago after a slow leak caused us to keep filling
> the reservoir (used only DEXRON III per instruction manual). Recently, we
> noticed the leak again and had to keep filling the reservoir. Yesterday,
> every seal and connection in the entire fluid system let loose and started
> leaking. Fluid was everywhere. I took the vehicle immediately to the
> dealer. What would/could cause a problem with the steering system like
> this? The dealer originally quoted $2,400 for the repair. After discussing
> the situation with the service rep he made some calls and got the parts
> covered in full but I'm still looking at a $700 labor bill!! What in the
> world is going on with Toyota quality? I'm beginning to think I'll have to
> pay for the Lexus to get a good vehicle -- too bad that Lexus doesn't make
> trucks though...
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Mark[/color]

I hate to sound unpatriotic or condescending, but 2002 Tacoma-Made In Usa.
I started a discussion about this before and the general concensus is that
Toys made here are not as good as their Japanese counterparts. And,
they're made at NUMMI, who gave us the hit-or-miss Prizm...

I'll go duck now from the flak I'm gonna receive...

I'm sure that if I'm forced to buy an extended warranty and deal with the
mechanical headaches, I'll definately buy a Ford or Dodge... Problem is, I
already paid extra for the piece of junk!!!

Mark


"hachiroku" <levin@ae86.gts> wrote in message
news:Wy7Vd.41305$f%5.36694@trndny03...[color=blue]
> On Tue, 01 Mar 2005 19:09:32 -0500, wrote:
>[color=green]
>> Need help. I need to understand why, WHY, my entire power steering
>> system
>> in a 2002 Tacoma would need to be replaced with only 70,000 miles. This
>> includes the rack, pump, and all lines... And the pump has already been
>> replaced once under warranty at 57,000 miles due to a leak! The first
>> pump
>> was replaced about 1.5 years ago after a slow leak caused us to keep
>> filling
>> the reservoir (used only DEXRON III per instruction manual). Recently,
>> we
>> noticed the leak again and had to keep filling the reservoir. Yesterday,
>> every seal and connection in the entire fluid system let loose and
>> started
>> leaking. Fluid was everywhere. I took the vehicle immediately to the
>> dealer. What would/could cause a problem with the steering system like
>> this? The dealer originally quoted $2,400 for the repair. After
>> discussing
>> the situation with the service rep he made some calls and got the parts
>> covered in full but I'm still looking at a $700 labor bill!! What in the
>> world is going on with Toyota quality? I'm beginning to think I'll have
>> to
>> pay for the Lexus to get a good vehicle -- too bad that Lexus doesn't
>> make
>> trucks though...
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>>
>> Mark[/color]
>
> I hate to sound unpatriotic or condescending, but 2002 Tacoma-Made In Usa.
> I started a discussion about this before and the general concensus is that
> Toys made here are not as good as their Japanese counterparts. And,
> they're made at NUMMI, who gave us the hit-or-miss Prizm...
>
> I'll go duck now from the flak I'm gonna receive...[/color]

"Mark R" <.> wrote in message news:Ic2dnS4qc-HdmbjfRVn-3A@comcast.com...[color=blue]
> Need help. I need to understand why, WHY, my entire power steering system
> in a 2002 Tacoma would need to be replaced with only 70,000 miles. This
> includes the rack, pump, and all lines... And the pump has already been
> replaced once under warranty at 57,000 miles due to a leak! The first
> pump was replaced about 1.5 years ago after a slow leak caused us to keep
> filling the reservoir (used only DEXRON III per instruction manual).
> Recently, we noticed the leak again and had to keep filling the reservoir.
> Yesterday, every seal and connection in the entire fluid system let loose
> and started leaking. Fluid was everywhere. I took the vehicle
> immediately to the dealer. What would/could cause a problem with the
> steering system like this? The dealer originally quoted $2,400 for the
> repair. After discussing the situation with the service rep he made some
> calls and got the parts covered in full but I'm still looking at a $700
> labor bill!! What in the world is going on with Toyota quality? I'm
> beginning to think I'll have to pay for the Lexus to get a good vehicle --
> too bad that Lexus doesn't make trucks though...
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Mark
>[/color]
This is just pure speculation on my part (and on the part of anyone who has
not examined your truck firsthand), but I'd guess that something
contaminated the fluid prior to the need for the original repair. It could
be water, metal particles, improper power steering fluid added when you had
the vehicle serviced or had an oil change somewhere. The contaminated fluid
caused the first pump to fail and some of that contamination remained in the
rack or system somewhere when the first pump was changed. That
contamination caught up and caused other components to fail. The only
things I can think of that would cause every seal to fail at once are
contaminated fluid, sabotage, the pump was somehow putting out too much
pressure, or one of the spool valves in the rack failed, causing pressure to
build up. Again, the likely cause of a spool valve to fail is
contamination.
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

To judge all Tundras by the fact you are having a problem with
the ONE you own is somewhat foolish. If you bought your Toyota
believing it will never brake down, you made a unwise decision.
Every manufacture makes some on occasion that are not up to snuff
that is why they all offer a warranty. Get the truck fixed and
get on with your life, bitchin' in a NG will not help.


mike hunt



Mark R wrote:[color=blue]
>
> I'm sure that if I'm forced to buy an extended warranty and deal with the
> mechanical headaches, I'll definately buy a Ford or Dodge... Problem is, I
> already paid extra for the piece of junk!!!
>
> Mark
>[/color]

And then there's this guy... Toyota lover? I'm trading the Taco in for a
F-150!

<MikeHunt22@mailcity.com> wrote in message
news:42272C32.41EE7E53@mailcity.com...[color=blue]
> To judge all Tundras by the fact you are having a problem with
> the ONE you own is somewhat foolish. If you bought your Toyota
> believing it will never brake down, you made a unwise decision.
> Every manufacture makes some on occasion that are not up to snuff
> that is why they all offer a warranty. Get the truck fixed and
> get on with your life, bitchin' in a NG will not help.
>
>
> mike hunt
>
>
>
> Mark R wrote:[color=green]
>>
>> I'm sure that if I'm forced to buy an extended warranty and deal with the
>> mechanical headaches, I'll definately buy a Ford or Dodge... Problem is,
>> I
>> already paid extra for the piece of junk!!!
>>
>> Mark
>>[/color][/color]

One could rightfully believe the F150 is the best truck for the
money based on its near thirty years as the number one selling
vehicle in the US, car or truck, but alas they too brake down on
occasion. No manufacture makes a perfect vehicle every time,
period ;)


mike hunt



Mark R wrote:[color=blue]
>
> And then there's this guy... Toyota lover? I'm trading the Taco in for a
> F-150!
>
> <MikeHunt22@mailcity.com> wrote in message
> news:42272C32.41EE7E53@mailcity.com...[color=green]
> > To judge all Tundras by the fact you are having a problem with
> > the ONE you own is somewhat foolish. If you bought your Toyota
> > believing it will never brake down, you made a unwise decision.
> > Every manufacture makes some on occasion that are not up to snuff
> > that is why they all offer a warranty. Get the truck fixed and
> > get on with your life, bitchin' in a NG will not help.
> >
> >
> > mike hunt
> >
> >
> >
> > Mark R wrote:[color=darkred]
> >>
> >> I'm sure that if I'm forced to buy an extended warranty and deal with the
> >> mechanical headaches, I'll definately buy a Ford or Dodge... Problem is,
> >> I
> >> already paid extra for the piece of junk!!!
> >>
> >> Mark
> >>[/color][/color][/color]

Your statement is true enough but the point (from my original message) that
you're missing is this -- I paid more for the Toyota than I would have if I
had purchased the Ford; quite a bit more in fact. I did so because of my
false perception of Toyota's far-better reliability. At an equal dollar
amount, I could have bought the Ford along with the 4-year extended warranty
for the exact same price as I paid for the Tacoma alone. Sure, I would have
anticipated the potential for mechanical issues, would have spent the extra
bucks on the warranty and would not be facing a $2,400 repair bill and the
shock associated shock. This is the reason for my bitchin', Mike. Since
Lexus does not produce trucks, the Taco is history.

Mark

<MikeHunt22@mailcity.com> wrote in message
news:4227A5B6.CF3CE5E8@mailcity.com...[color=blue]
> One could rightfully believe the F150 is the best truck for the
> money based on its near thirty years as the number one selling
> vehicle in the US, car or truck, but alas they too brake down on
> occasion. No manufacture makes a perfect vehicle every time,
> period ;)
>
>
> mike hunt
>
>
>
> Mark R wrote:[color=green]
>>
>> And then there's this guy... Toyota lover? I'm trading the Taco in for
>> a
>> F-150!
>>
>> <MikeHunt22@mailcity.com> wrote in message
>> news:42272C32.41EE7E53@mailcity.com...[color=darkred]
>> > To judge all Tundras by the fact you are having a problem with
>> > the ONE you own is somewhat foolish. If you bought your Toyota
>> > believing it will never brake down, you made a unwise decision.
>> > Every manufacture makes some on occasion that are not up to snuff
>> > that is why they all offer a warranty. Get the truck fixed and
>> > get on with your life, bitchin' in a NG will not help.
>> >
>> >
>> > mike hunt
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Mark R wrote:
>> >>
>> >> I'm sure that if I'm forced to buy an extended warranty and deal with
>> >> the
>> >> mechanical headaches, I'll definately buy a Ford or Dodge... Problem
>> >> is,
>> >> I
>> >> already paid extra for the piece of junk!!!
>> >>
>> >> Mark
>> >>[/color][/color][/color]

You need not convince me. My position has always been that Toyota
makes good stuff but their vehicles are way overpriced. The fact
that you know you could buy a full sized truck like the F150 for
around the price of a mid size Toyota truck, like the Tacoma,
merely supports my position on Toyota. I have owned several
Lexus V8s but
I stopped buying them several vehicles ago for that very reason,
too expensive. I never buy extended service plans (they are NOT
warranties) and I never had a bad Lexus. I have been buying
Lincoln LS V8s for around 20K less and they have proven to be
just as fine an automobile and just as reliable. I have owned a
2000, a 2002 and I now drive a 2005. By the way if you want a
truly luxury truck, Lincoln now offers a high line version of the
F150 called the Mark. Just think Mark you could own a Lincoln
Mark ;)


mike hunt



Mark R wrote:[color=blue]
>
> Your statement is true enough but the point (from my original message) that
> you're missing is this -- I paid more for the Toyota than I would have if I
> had purchased the Ford; quite a bit more in fact. I did so because of my
> false perception of Toyota's far-better reliability. At an equal dollar
> amount, I could have bought the Ford along with the 4-year extended warranty
> for the exact same price as I paid for the Tacoma alone. Sure, I would have
> anticipated the potential for mechanical issues, would have spent the extra
> bucks on the warranty and would not be facing a $2,400 repair bill and the
> shock associated shock. This is the reason for my bitchin', Mike. Since
> Lexus does not produce trucks, the Taco is history.
>
> Mark
>
> <MikeHunt22@mailcity.com> wrote in message
> news:4227A5B6.CF3CE5E8@mailcity.com...[color=green]
> > One could rightfully believe the F150 is the best truck for the
> > money based on its near thirty years as the number one selling
> > vehicle in the US, car or truck, but alas they too brake down on
> > occasion. No manufacture makes a perfect vehicle every time,
> > period ;)
> >
> >
> > mike hunt
> >
> >
> >
> > Mark R wrote:[color=darkred]
> >>
> >> And then there's this guy... Toyota lover? I'm trading the Taco in for
> >> a
> >> F-150!
> >>
> >> <MikeHunt22@mailcity.com> wrote in message
> >> news:42272C32.41EE7E53@mailcity.com...
> >> > To judge all Tundras by the fact you are having a problem with
> >> > the ONE you own is somewhat foolish. If you bought your Toyota
> >> > believing it will never brake down, you made a unwise decision.
> >> > Every manufacture makes some on occasion that are not up to snuff
> >> > that is why they all offer a warranty. Get the truck fixed and
> >> > get on with your life, bitchin' in a NG will not help.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > mike hunt
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Mark R wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> I'm sure that if I'm forced to buy an extended warranty and deal with
> >> >> the
> >> >> mechanical headaches, I'll definately buy a Ford or Dodge... Problem
> >> >> is,
> >> >> I
> >> >> already paid extra for the piece of junk!!!
> >> >>
> >> >> Mark
> >> >>[/color][/color][/color]

Thanks for making me smile. Mark


<MikeHunt22@mailcity.com> wrote in message
news:4227B966.89A54AA2@mailcity.com...[color=blue]
> You need not convince me. My position has always been that Toyota
> makes good stuff but their vehicles are way overpriced. The fact
> that you know you could buy a full sized truck like the F150 for
> around the price of a mid size Toyota truck, like the Tacoma,
> merely supports my position on Toyota. I have owned several
> Lexus V8s but
> I stopped buying them several vehicles ago for that very reason,
> too expensive. I never buy extended service plans (they are NOT
> warranties) and I never had a bad Lexus. I have been buying
> Lincoln LS V8s for around 20K less and they have proven to be
> just as fine an automobile and just as reliable. I have owned a
> 2000, a 2002 and I now drive a 2005. By the way if you want a
> truly luxury truck, Lincoln now offers a high line version of the
> F150 called the Mark. Just think Mark you could own a Lincoln
> Mark ;)
>
>
> mike hunt
>
>
>
> Mark R wrote:[color=green]
>>
>> Your statement is true enough but the point (from my original message)
>> that
>> you're missing is this -- I paid more for the Toyota than I would have if
>> I
>> had purchased the Ford; quite a bit more in fact. I did so because of my
>> false perception of Toyota's far-better reliability. At an equal dollar
>> amount, I could have bought the Ford along with the 4-year extended
>> warranty
>> for the exact same price as I paid for the Tacoma alone. Sure, I would
>> have
>> anticipated the potential for mechanical issues, would have spent the
>> extra
>> bucks on the warranty and would not be facing a $2,400 repair bill and
>> the
>> shock associated shock. This is the reason for my bitchin', Mike. Since
>> Lexus does not produce trucks, the Taco is history.
>>
>> Mark
>>
>> <MikeHunt22@mailcity.com> wrote in message
>> news:4227A5B6.CF3CE5E8@mailcity.com...[color=darkred]
>> > One could rightfully believe the F150 is the best truck for the
>> > money based on its near thirty years as the number one selling
>> > vehicle in the US, car or truck, but alas they too brake down on
>> > occasion. No manufacture makes a perfect vehicle every time,
>> > period ;)
>> >
>> >
>> > mike hunt
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Mark R wrote:
>> >>
>> >> And then there's this guy... Toyota lover? I'm trading the Taco in
>> >> for
>> >> a
>> >> F-150!
>> >>
>> >> <MikeHunt22@mailcity.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:42272C32.41EE7E53@mailcity.com...
>> >> > To judge all Tundras by the fact you are having a problem with
>> >> > the ONE you own is somewhat foolish. If you bought your Toyota
>> >> > believing it will never brake down, you made a unwise decision.
>> >> > Every manufacture makes some on occasion that are not up to snuff
>> >> > that is why they all offer a warranty. Get the truck fixed and
>> >> > get on with your life, bitchin' in a NG will not help.
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > mike hunt
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > Mark R wrote:
>> >> >>
>> >> >> I'm sure that if I'm forced to buy an extended warranty and deal
>> >> >> with
>> >> >> the
>> >> >> mechanical headaches, I'll definately buy a Ford or Dodge...
>> >> >> Problem
>> >> >> is,
>> >> >> I
>> >> >> already paid extra for the piece of junk!!!
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Mark
>> >> >>[/color][/color][/color]

Need help. I need to understand why, WHY, my entire power steering system
in a 2002 Tacoma would need to be replaced with only 70,000 miles. This
includes the rack, pump, and all lines... And the pump has already been
replaced once under warranty at 57,000 miles due to a leak! The first pump
was replaced about 1.5 years ago after a slow leak caused us to keep filling
the reservoir (used only DEXRON III per instruction manual). Recently, we
noticed the leak again and had to keep filling the reservoir. Yesterday,
every seal and connection in the entire fluid system let loose and started
leaking. Fluid was everywhere. I took the vehicle immediately to the
dealer. What would/could cause a problem with the steering system like
this? The dealer originally quoted $2,400 for the repair. After discussing
the situation with the service rep he made some calls and got the parts
covered in full but I'm still looking at a $700 labor bill!! What in the
world is going on with Toyota quality? I'm beginning to think I'll have to
pay for the Lexus to get a good vehicle -- too bad that Lexus doesn't make
trucks though...



Thanks in advance,

Mark

On Tue, 01 Mar 2005 19:09:32 -0500, wrote:
[color=blue]
> Need help. I need to understand why, WHY, my entire power steering system
> in a 2002 Tacoma would need to be replaced with only 70,000 miles. This
> includes the rack, pump, and all lines... And the pump has already been
> replaced once under warranty at 57,000 miles due to a leak! The first pump
> was replaced about 1.5 years ago after a slow leak caused us to keep filling
> the reservoir (used only DEXRON III per instruction manual). Recently, we
> noticed the leak again and had to keep filling the reservoir. Yesterday,
> every seal and connection in the entire fluid system let loose and started
> leaking. Fluid was everywhere. I took the vehicle immediately to the
> dealer. What would/could cause a problem with the steering system like
> this? The dealer originally quoted $2,400 for the repair. After discussing
> the situation with the service rep he made some calls and got the parts
> covered in full but I'm still looking at a $700 labor bill!! What in the
> world is going on with Toyota quality? I'm beginning to think I'll have to
> pay for the Lexus to get a good vehicle -- too bad that Lexus doesn't make
> trucks though...
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Mark[/color]

I hate to sound unpatriotic or condescending, but 2002 Tacoma-Made In Usa.
I started a discussion about this before and the general concensus is that
Toys made here are not as good as their Japanese counterparts. And,
they're made at NUMMI, who gave us the hit-or-miss Prizm...

I'll go duck now from the flak I'm gonna receive...

I'm sure that if I'm forced to buy an extended warranty and deal with the
mechanical headaches, I'll definately buy a Ford or Dodge... Problem is, I
already paid extra for the piece of junk!!!

Mark


"hachiroku" <levin@ae86.gts> wrote in message
news:Wy7Vd.41305$f%5.36694@trndny03...[color=blue]
> On Tue, 01 Mar 2005 19:09:32 -0500, wrote:
>[color=green]
>> Need help. I need to understand why, WHY, my entire power steering
>> system
>> in a 2002 Tacoma would need to be replaced with only 70,000 miles. This
>> includes the rack, pump, and all lines... And the pump has already been
>> replaced once under warranty at 57,000 miles due to a leak! The first
>> pump
>> was replaced about 1.5 years ago after a slow leak caused us to keep
>> filling
>> the reservoir (used only DEXRON III per instruction manual). Recently,
>> we
>> noticed the leak again and had to keep filling the reservoir. Yesterday,
>> every seal and connection in the entire fluid system let loose and
>> started
>> leaking. Fluid was everywhere. I took the vehicle immediately to the
>> dealer. What would/could cause a problem with the steering system like
>> this? The dealer originally quoted $2,400 for the repair. After
>> discussing
>> the situation with the service rep he made some calls and got the parts
>> covered in full but I'm still looking at a $700 labor bill!! What in the
>> world is going on with Toyota quality? I'm beginning to think I'll have
>> to
>> pay for the Lexus to get a good vehicle -- too bad that Lexus doesn't
>> make
>> trucks though...
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>>
>> Mark[/color]
>
> I hate to sound unpatriotic or condescending, but 2002 Tacoma-Made In Usa.
> I started a discussion about this before and the general concensus is that
> Toys made here are not as good as their Japanese counterparts. And,
> they're made at NUMMI, who gave us the hit-or-miss Prizm...
>
> I'll go duck now from the flak I'm gonna receive...[/color]

"Mark R" <.> wrote in message news:Ic2dnS4qc-HdmbjfRVn-3A@comcast.com...[color=blue]
> Need help. I need to understand why, WHY, my entire power steering system
> in a 2002 Tacoma would need to be replaced with only 70,000 miles. This
> includes the rack, pump, and all lines... And the pump has already been
> replaced once under warranty at 57,000 miles due to a leak! The first
> pump was replaced about 1.5 years ago after a slow leak caused us to keep
> filling the reservoir (used only DEXRON III per instruction manual).
> Recently, we noticed the leak again and had to keep filling the reservoir.
> Yesterday, every seal and connection in the entire fluid system let loose
> and started leaking. Fluid was everywhere. I took the vehicle
> immediately to the dealer. What would/could cause a problem with the
> steering system like this? The dealer originally quoted $2,400 for the
> repair. After discussing the situation with the service rep he made some
> calls and got the parts covered in full but I'm still looking at a $700
> labor bill!! What in the world is going on with Toyota quality? I'm
> beginning to think I'll have to pay for the Lexus to get a good vehicle --
> too bad that Lexus doesn't make trucks though...
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Mark
>[/color]
This is just pure speculation on my part (and on the part of anyone who has
not examined your truck firsthand), but I'd guess that something
contaminated the fluid prior to the need for the original repair. It could
be water, metal particles, improper power steering fluid added when you had
the vehicle serviced or had an oil change somewhere. The contaminated fluid
caused the first pump to fail and some of that contamination remained in the
rack or system somewhere when the first pump was changed. That
contamination caught up and caused other components to fail. The only
things I can think of that would cause every seal to fail at once are
contaminated fluid, sabotage, the pump was somehow putting out too much
pressure, or one of the spool valves in the rack failed, causing pressure to
build up. Again, the likely cause of a spool valve to fail is
contamination.
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

To judge all Tundras by the fact you are having a problem with
the ONE you own is somewhat foolish. If you bought your Toyota
believing it will never brake down, you made a unwise decision.
Every manufacture makes some on occasion that are not up to snuff
that is why they all offer a warranty. Get the truck fixed and
get on with your life, bitchin' in a NG will not help.


mike hunt



Mark R wrote:[color=blue]
>
> I'm sure that if I'm forced to buy an extended warranty and deal with the
> mechanical headaches, I'll definately buy a Ford or Dodge... Problem is, I
> already paid extra for the piece of junk!!!
>
> Mark
>[/color]

And then there's this guy... Toyota lover? I'm trading the Taco in for a
F-150!

<MikeHunt22@mailcity.com> wrote in message
news:42272C32.41EE7E53@mailcity.com...[color=blue]
> To judge all Tundras by the fact you are having a problem with
> the ONE you own is somewhat foolish. If you bought your Toyota
> believing it will never brake down, you made a unwise decision.
> Every manufacture makes some on occasion that are not up to snuff
> that is why they all offer a warranty. Get the truck fixed and
> get on with your life, bitchin' in a NG will not help.
>
>
> mike hunt
>
>
>
> Mark R wrote:[color=green]
>>
>> I'm sure that if I'm forced to buy an extended warranty and deal with the
>> mechanical headaches, I'll definately buy a Ford or Dodge... Problem is,
>> I
>> already paid extra for the piece of junk!!!
>>
>> Mark
>>[/color][/color]