JRod-90Runner

Just got my first ride, a 1990 4runner and I'm hoping to get into the whole forum deal. Been looking around and there seems to be a lot of cool people with plenty of know how. So i figured id give it a shot...

Located the power steering leak. But I'm afraid to just replace this hose. (The vertical black one) be great if you guys could just tell me what I'm looking at. I have no idea whats inside of it? if anything? Besides the power steering fluid thats ending up on the driveway...
any insight would be much appreciated. thank you!

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

Power steering hose is just what it is Power Steering.

Nothing to complicated only the fluid very messy to change just make sure to use the correct fluid when putting in the new fluid.

JRod-90Runner

I may be over thinking it, but what is the point of that fat hose? goes from a hard line to that. Why not just put a hard line all the way through?

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

The rubber part helps to absorb a lot of the vibration and helps the hose to flex as needed.

That is how I look at it what the real reason is could be completely different.

it could also be easier to fabricate the hose like that.

Co_94_PU

iTrader: (-1)

Yep to absorb/allow movement. resi' is cab mounted pump is engine mounted steering "gear" box is frame mounted.

freejack5555

Where was your leak? I just bought a 93 pickup 3.0 and the power steering is leaking. I just flushed it because it was power steering fluid and not atf. Now Im trying to find the leak but havent yet. Im also getting some whine from it when I drive.

Not sure if this is related but when I have the ac on and Im at a stop it feels like the idle is high. It shakes the whole truck but when I let off the brake it goes away.

scope103

If you had power steering fluid in your Toyota power steering pump (instead of the ATF it tells you to use on the fill cap), I believe that will damage the internal seals. The whine you hear indicates that sort of failure.

To find a leak (any kind) you have to get the engine sparkling clean. Get two cans of spray-on engine cleaner and a brush. Washes off with a hose.

Now for the interesting part. You have both a power-steering idle-up (two vacuum hoses connect to the base of the pump) and an AC idle-up (connects to a electrical operated vacuum switching valve (VSV). They keep the truck from dying when you parallel park or run the AC. So turning on the AC should increase the idle ... but that much?

Since your power steering has been, uh, well maintained, the idle-up might be blocked. Someone might have "fixed" that by turning your idle up all the time. Then you might only notice it when the AC boosts it again.

Fix your PS leak. Use an RPM gauge (the one on the dash doesn't have enough resolution at idle) to set your idle.

Gamefreakgc

I have the same exact leak at the same spot. I'm too lazy to fix it, I only have to top-off the fluid every couple of months.