you can try cleaning the pressure hose out, sometimes what happens is the dirty PS fluid or ATF builds up on the sides, constricting flow in lesser pressure areas. look for bubbles or anything abnormal on the hose. idk how you would clean the hose out though, maybe degreaser in it and connect it to a power washer.

 

I think I might have gotten a bad pump because it makes a lil but of a whine and if I accelerate the whine gets faster and a lil louder I also noticed some grease squeezing out from the bearing behind the pulley but no leaks that I can see.

 

Found a video of an sc having the exact same issue is a lil hard to hear it but it's there let me know if this helps explain what going on.


http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fWEkLUPAolc

What do y'all think?

 

i'm stumped as well. idk what this could be...

 

Haha I know it is a weird symptom hopefully someone can chime in that may have experienced this.

Thanks

 

Was doing some more diagnosing and found fluid in the passenger side boot and a lil in the driver side so I think the seals are bad so going to replace the rack and see what happens this weekend.

 

wait really? these things dont take power steering fluid? cause my new one is leaking like crazy and making lots of noise, so I should drain and flush the system and put in ATF?

 

Does your engine speed up slightly if you turn the wheel a bit when sitting at a stop light?
Mine does.

 

Yes Toyota designed the power steering systems to use ATF

 

Not really haha I think since the seals are leaking its causing a pressure issue and not allowing the pump to do its job properly and also bringing in dirt from the leading area and maybe even letting in a small amount of air in each time I turn the wheel. I'm replacing the rack this weekend so I'll keep y'all posted.

 

Mine has a valve that lets air into the intake to speed up the engine if you move the steering wheel at idle haha.
It's a 2000, so I don't know if other years have this feature.

Isn't all the rack stuff high pressure? A leak there would spray fluid.

What is the "leading" area?

You might have a bad o-ring on the low pressure side letting air in.

Good luck with it suprasoup!

 

So can I mix the ATF in with the fluid already in?

and can I use the same additives?

my power steering is borderline gushing out. its basically empty in a day

 

just flush all the old fluid out and put in ATF dextron II or III. idk what additives you're talking about? there's no additives in the PS system

 

power steering stop leak, and stuff meant to condition the steering rack and reduce noise.