Suprasonic19

Okay new to this forum but have been lurking for sometime. So first off love this forum and seems to be the most knowledgeable of all the Toyota Truck forums Ive seen. With that said hopefully you all can help me out. And yes ive tried some extensive searching to no avail.

The truck is a 91 4x4 v6 5 speed. No mods except aluminum wheels. Might be a size up on the tires too cant remember the size at the moment. My gf drives it daily and she said her steering felt funny and wouldn't turn right. So i drove the truck and it damn near wouldn't turn either way without some serious force, lots of pump noise too. Looked at the pump and noticed fluid pouring out of the rear cover on the pump. So I put a reman pump in, refilled, and bled the system, steering works great now..except, when turning the wheel right it binds for a second or two then goes freely. Feels like the wheel is up against a curb is the best way i can describe it. Going left its as smooth as can be but as soon as you come back the other way it holds for a second. If i turn right very slowly it doesn't hold up. The only concern Ive noticed is the vacuum switch on the back of the pump has one side broken and the hose was just hanging there. Would this switch cause this problem or is it just a high idle switch? Thanks for all and any help.

TNRabbit

That's just a high idle switch & not necessary. Make sure it's not a vacuum leak.

Jack up the front & turn the wheels right & left at the wheel to check for any binding (engine off). If so, it shouldn't be hard to find the source of the problem.

If you can't find it there, start the engine & turn at the steering wheel & see if the problem exists while jacked up. If it occurs then, the problem is in the power steering.

If not, you're steering is binding up when there's a load on the wheels, which might be harder to locate.

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

I had a similar problem. Check your tie rod ends. Mine happen to be on the right side also. Look at your Pitman arm and all of the joints on your steering relay rod.

Also Toyota had a recall on the 4 wheel drive relay rods. Take it in and they will see if it has been done if not they will fix for free.

Suprasonic19

Well I did alot of driving this thanksgiving weekend in the truck and the problem isnt there anymore. Im not sure how it worked itself out but the steering is smooth lock to lock and going back and forth. This weekend Im still gonna jack up the front end and check out everything, i dont like it when problems just "disappear" with vehicles. Ha. Im gonna try and call the toyota service department with my vin and see if they can tell me if the recall has been done.

TNRabbit

Could be you just had air in the power steering system. It eventually works its way out.

Suprasonic19

Just for future searchers, the problem ended up being air in the system. Within a week of driving it went away gradually. But now the steering box is leaking like hell out of the input for the steering shaft at the top of the box. Figures. Ha.