95TOYOTACO

Hi New to the site. Had a question about my steering??? Not all the time but someitmes its very hard to turn??? feels like no power steering?? doesnt make any unusual noises but just very hard to turn??? My truck is a 95 with 118,000 miles. Real good shape otherwise. Any suggestions? Thanks

JEBSR5

Not trying to be a SA, but checked the fluid level? Air in the system from low levels.

1styota4X4

my 95 4 runner will do that sometimes when i need to turn quiclky. It feels like it loses pressure and then comes back

craw4x4

my 95 4 runner does that when i go through puddles sometmes

GV27

Do you have an aftermarket steering stabilizer? I can twirl the wheel on my 92 faster than my Rancho unit wants to sometimes. Feels like a lack of power boost......

95TOYOTACO

Hey! Yeah I did check the fluid level first...steering did it again this morning on the way to work.Its like there is no power steering when i am at a stand still???? it moves in a jerking motion when i do come on to it??? WTF????

slosurfer

Is your belt loose or really old?

1styota4X4

Mine has new belts and factory 140k mile steering stabilizer....fluis is not low and i just expect it now..it only does it sometimes

thook

How old is the power steering fluid? Is it dark? Maybe you need to flush the power steering system. It's not hard, and if it's not been done in a long time it couldn't hurt.

95TOYOTACO

belts are not old or worn...dont know about how dark the fluid was???? i checked it when it was really cold out and only looked to see if it was up?? i will check for color today....how do u flush the steering fluid??? that might work.....thanks

Big Piper

This may be a dumb question...Are you in 4WD when you are trying to turn? This will cause it to shudder at low speed when turning, especially at low speeds (and on dry pavement)...sorry, had to ask.

thook

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...power+steering

95TOYOTACO

No its not in 4wd....when its rolling its fine...when i start from a stop and turn its armstrong steering!!!!

JEBSR5

Sounds like you are loosing pressure at idle, but not sure why. Anyone else more familiar with this year model system as to why he is loosing pressure?

Only thing I can think of is the PS bypass valve, but that's if the pressure gets too high and would more likely be at higher speeds, unless it's sticking a little and loosing all it's pressure at idle and picks up again at increased RPM's.

You say at idle sitting still it doesn't work, what if sitting still you rev up, does it work then?

95TOYOTACO

I have tried that thinking it was because of low idle and I have revved it up but i still get the strong arm steering.the wheel jerks as i turn it like something was sticking?????

JEBSR5

Is it rack and pinion? Either way, you are losing pressure at low RPM, possibly meaning sticking pump pressure relief valve. Toyota has a complete rebuild kit for pump around $35, can't remember exactly. Go with Toyota as the seals are special compound and marked via packaging instructions. Not a hard job, very easy.

The symptoms you describe also remind me when I built mine and had air in it. Hard at first, then jerked.

95TOYOTACO

Thanks for all the info....now that the weathers turned I will get under her and fix this. I only got the truck last Dec. from the states and havent had a reall opportuntiy to get at her. Thanks!!

JEBSR5

Keep us posted, this one has my interest.

95TOYOTACO

Well with the warmer weather i had the opportunity to dive in. I checked the belt deflection and noticed that the belt was a little loose....tightened it up and behold......works perfect now!!! feel a little stupid as I checked it when it was cold but not close enough...... thanks for all the help though!!!!