My 85 4runner's (well, engine is a 95) power steering pump is leaking pretty bad. I was curious as to wether or not I could take it apart and throw some silicone sealant on it and be good to go or what. A new one costs about 100 bucks (including taxes) and if I could make an earlier model pump work then I have a parts source I could get it from used. Anyone had any like things happen?

 

are you using ATF or power steering fluid?
(probably dumb question, but had to ask)

and considering that trying to repair it may or may not work, is not having to remove it a second time if it doesn't work worth 100 bucks?

 

Power steering pumps typically leak at 1 or 2 of the seals on the high pressure side...pretty easy to r/r and the seals are pretty cheap.

 

Cost 60$ at Autozone for a new one and mine hasn't leaked since.

 

mine leaks like crazy... odd that my motor is out of a 94... replaced it twice, and the hoses once, and it still leaks like a pig... my parents wont even let me park in the gravel driveway anymore... any ideas of whats wrong?

 

Rebuild..don't replace.

 

You (or the previous owner) used power steering fluid instead of ATF.

I have used the rebuilt ones from Autozone. Lifetime warranty, but you will likely have to exercise that option, maybe more than once, to find a good one.

I have been using this Greased Lightning sythetic ATF "fix" stuff and it has worked AWESOME. They have it at Checker, haven't been able to find it at Autozone.

 

Yeah I purchased this truck not too long ago, but I use the ATF like what the book says. I'll have to check autozone tomorrow to see if I can get the seals for it, and if I can't I'll just pony up the money and get another one. I have a lifetime warranty on my first truck for an alternator (that old truck is long gone) but I can still take in an old alt and get a brand spankin new one in either of my trucks. Pretty sweet deal so I'm leaning towards the lifetime warranty, regardless if I have to replace it again.

Where can I get the seals anyway?

 

Called Autozone and they want $95.00 for it. Looks like I may be either filling it up for a while as it leaks until I can find another. I'll probably hit up my parts source first and go from there. I'm trying to get this done in a hurry, theres a 4wheeling event on labor day weekend that I should be taking my nephew to, he's been wanting to go wheeling with me for a long time. Should be fun if I can get this pump ordeal straightened out, if not I'll just keep filling it up.

 

try that Greased Lightning ATF fix stuff then!

 

You can just buy the rebuild kit for it too. There is a great write up here: http://members.cox.net/stacewilliams/ps-pump.htm

You can get the proper seals from the dealership or try your luck at your local parts store with there rubberized o-ring kits.

 

wow... now i feel like a dork... granted i replaced it over a year ago, and i didnt know about this site and all the help you guys give, but i have been putting power steering fluid in it...

any ideas of how to flush the system, or will it even hurt my truck at all???

 

Not sure what you mean if it will hurt your truck at all. You use ATF due to the seals that Toyota uses for the PS pump. So even if you were to get a new pump or replace the seals and use PS fluid again, the seals would eventually start to leak again. The viscosity between ATF and PS fluid is different hence why we use ATF. When I replaced mine I took the hose off in the front then turned the car on and moved the steering wheel side to side until it stopped squirting. Pretty sure I pulled this method from the FSM so check there as a sure bet.

 

There is a simple bleeding procedure, and if he has RWAL....there is a whole different procedure that requires bleeding the RWAL as well, then bleeding the ps system agian. The ps system gets bled twice. Here's the procedure outline if he has RWAL brakes.


I can scan the regular ps bleeding procedure for you, if needed.

 

thanks guys... ill have to do that when my old man gets home... hes the type to lock everything flamable in a fire cabinet...

 

Well the rebuild kit costs as much as my P/S pump costs from Autozone and it doesn't leak at all; are you sure that wasn't with the core charge which you would get back when you brought in your broken pump? And the rebuild is a pain in the ass, I tried it.

 

Well, I got the stop leak stuff in there, been using it since friday and it still leaks. Good news is that I should be getting one next weekend, from a friend going to the same event. I'll probably wheel with the bad pump until I absolutely have to change it (If it gets to that point), then I'll have a spare to throw in. If I end up filling it up all weekend I can put it in when I get home.

 

Did you check to make sure all your bolts are in all the way? I've read that turns out to be the problem at times if you are lucky.

 

didn't think to do so, I'll have to check tomorrow!

 

Mine was leaking really bad, (ATF is very flamable) it eventually just fell apart (pulley went into the rad). A used toyota pump is around 30-40 bucks. Way better then any aftermarket unit aswell.