Hey, Gang. My steering wheel turns just a little harder than usual. I have checked the power steering fluid and it is right up to the MAX line. Any ideas? To be quite honest, I don't trust to many dealers so I wanted to ask you all first for some suggestions. Any info will be greatly appreciated.
Could be as simple as replacing the old fluid with some new fluid? My Fj is an 07, and it has never been changed.
Ya know I haven't. I guess I never thought of that because the steering wheel does seem to have just a little "catch" sometimes while turning like a car that has low fluid. Easy enough to check though, thanks Sammy! I was just reading that a fluid flush at 50,000 is a good idea, and it can get a lot of contaminates?
That was exactly it!!! It has been very cold here in the Midwest, but the problem didn't start until last week when it was "warmer" so I initially ruled that out. However, I changed the fluid out, and that fixed the problem. Thanks for the help gang!!! Much appreciated!
My pump made very little noise that I could hear of the exhaust before it fully died out but did notice it got hard per to steer first. Its a easy replacement to do your self
I was afraid of this. Toyota found nothing wrong! They called me at work and said they didn't, so I went out there and drove with the mechanic. Sure enough, it didn't do it. It did it on the way to work, but not when it was there. Ain't that how it always goes?!?!
I don't know about good news. They charged me $93.45 to tell me they didn't find anything lol. Oh well! When it warms up around here I think I'll take your advise!
Wow what a thread. It seems like the cold does affect mine, but like I mentioned it was one heck of a lot colder s few months back, and this just started a few weeks ago. I suppose I'm just going to have to live with it The mechanic told me they almost have zero problems with Toyota pumps which doesn't mean they cant of course. Mine makes no noise, and didn't when we had the coldest weather on record here since 1996. This is a head scratcher problem
I wonder if this is an intermediate shaft problem on mine? The mech did mention that but he didn't think cold weather would make a difference especially when it was fine in the sub-zero temps. Who knows, it isn't un-drivable so Ill deal with it I guess. If I find an answer I'll let you all know. Appreciate the help a lot gang
Ok, here is what I'm thinking, and I may be way off base. I think something is restricting the fluid a little bit. The steering wasn't good this morning at 20 degrees. It is now 37 and better but not 100%. When it warms up some, the restriction is still there but with the fluid thinning out some, the restriction doesn't seem as bad. As the day warms up today (calling for 50 ) I will write back and tell ya how it does. Does any of this make sense gang? I cant come up with any other reason why the weather could play a factor. Don't we hate intermittent problems!?!?!? The worst kind. :mecry:
23 degrees today, and its working fine. I guess I will take the advise and flush it again when it warms up, and not worry about it. I'm tired of letting it bother me
Wow never thought of that! Makes sense that would be intermittent and I'm out of things to try. Thank you.
You know what, I just thought of this after reading your post! Around the same time this problem started I was on the way to work in the snow, and my wipers got a little slower. I turned off the radio (why do we always do that? lol ) and a few seconds later my blower motor picked back up. It slowed down too and I didn't notice that until radio was off and I heard it pick up. If the belt was slipping I suppose I was losing some voltage ? that make sense? I would have never thought the two were related and it hasn't acted up again as far as the blower motor/wipers so I forgot about it.
Definitely a slipping belt! I put some dressing on and that took care of the problem. Thank you!!!!!!! I suppose the smart thing would be to go a head and replace the belt. I have read mixed feelings on belt dressing. Some say its on, some say it can make things worse like dirt ect.. sticking to the belt. Either way I now know what was going on and I owe it to this forum. Thank you all again, I really appreciate all the help. This had me and just about everyone stumped!
When you change your belt check the length of the old verses new. If there's not much of a difference maybe you should check that belt tensioner also. Just throwing that out there.
New belt... problem is back and worse than ever. When you turn now, the steering will not come back. You have to force it! I'm guess something with the rack? 67,600 miles, this shouldn't be happening.
You guys are gonna think I'm a weirdo, but the steering is perfect this morning. Wth is goin on? There has to be an answer. Anyone have a mechanic at a Toyota dealership that knows their stuff? The one around here doesn't know what's goin on. I'd like to call someone.. Its getting old, and I'm desperate.
Did you try changing the fluid? I was having hard steering at start up but that was back during Christmas when it was really cold out. I drained and refilled with some old stock Amsoil DEZRON III full synthetic and it took care of my problem.
I have. I thought that took care of it, but it came back. I had Toyota do that when this first started this past winter. It's one strange intermittent problem.
Check to see if your u joint is all rusted up on the outside like the one in the video. Could well be your problem.
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