Hi all!

Anyone experienced this:

last few days have been below 20 degrees here. I start up truck first time in the morning, power steering works fine turning to the left, but is non-existent turning to the right. I strong arm it to get out of parking space, then after about a half-minute power steering is fine both directions. This has happened twice now.

Fluid level is fine. revving motor seems to make no diff.

Opinions? Time for a flush, or is this indication of imminent part failure, or just cold weather symptom and don't worry about it?

(88 4runner)
thanx for any advice!
tj

 

I have that too when it's cold. I suspect a flush or new PS pump is in our futures. I did tighten my PS belt and there was considerable improvement. Good luck!

 

So it was fine before it got below freezing? There might be some moisture in the fluid, freezing the in valve. I'd say try a good flush and fill with clean dexron atf.

 

no its never happened before, but this week is first its been in 20s in a.m.

i just thought it odd that it was only when turning to the right, that it had no power assist, but to left was ok. and both times it cleared up after a minute.

just wondering if the one-sided ness of it mattered at all.

 

there's a valve in the steering box that directs flow depending on which way the steering wheel is being turned. if the valve sticks, you may not get any assist at all or assist to one side and not the other.

 

i see. i was wondering how that recirc ball style worked. i didn't even think about not having a rack until this occurred. i'll have to go dig for an exploded diagram and see what it looks like now.

thx!