1986 Pickup steering wheel hard to turn
#1
1986 Pickup steering wheel hard to turn
I bought a used Toyota 1986 pickup and the steering wheel is fairly hard to turn. I can drive it just fine but it sure gives me an arm workout.
I'm not to keen on car maintenance but I'm guessing this is a problem with the power steering.
What would be the process of diagnosing this problem? Do I rebuild the power steering pump? Put in new ATF and see how it goes?
I'm not to keen on car maintenance but I'm guessing this is a problem with the power steering.
What would be the process of diagnosing this problem? Do I rebuild the power steering pump? Put in new ATF and see how it goes?
#2
Registered User
Is it mostly hard to turn at low speeds but fine at higher speeds?
First, have you checked that your truck actually has power steering? If you do have power steering, there is a gold / brass colored power steering fluid reservoir (ATF) with "TOYODA" on the cap that sits on the front left wheel well (on the right if looking at the engine bay).
Some base model trucks did not come with power steering, although most did.
Since this truck is new to you, you may not know what the previous owner(s) may have done to the truck. Maybe a previous owner removed the power steering belt?
Post some pictures of your engine bay so we can see what you see.
#3
Is it mostly hard to turn at low speeds but fine at higher speeds?
First, have you checked that your truck actually has power steering? If you do have power steering, there is a gold / brass colored power steering fluid reservoir (ATF) with "TOYODA" on the cap that sits on the front left wheel well (on the right if looking at the engine bay).
Some base model trucks did not come with power steering, although most did.
Since this truck is new to you, you may not know what the previous owner(s) may have done to the truck. Maybe a previous owner removed the power steering belt?
Post some pictures of your engine bay so we can see what you see.
There is a TOYODA reservoir in my truck. I checked the dipstick and it looks like there's very little fluid in there.
It's a little dark right now but I'll post some pictures of the engine tomorrow when theres more light.
#5
Registered User
iTrader: (-1)
First image, top center, just below the distributor. This is the pump.
Fill the holding tank to at least the cold mark on the stick. Then cycle the steering wheel repeatedly, all the way left and all the way right, to purge any air while making sure the tank doesn't run empty or overflow. If it makes obnoxious noises it may need serviced or just more purging.
This will be easiest if you Jack up the front so the wheels are off the ground. Don't forget to chock the wheels and Jack stands, you know be safe.
Only ever use ATF, dexron. If the tank looks "muddy" you need to flush the old fluid from the system.
Hopefully it's this simple fix.
Fill the holding tank to at least the cold mark on the stick. Then cycle the steering wheel repeatedly, all the way left and all the way right, to purge any air while making sure the tank doesn't run empty or overflow. If it makes obnoxious noises it may need serviced or just more purging.
This will be easiest if you Jack up the front so the wheels are off the ground. Don't forget to chock the wheels and Jack stands, you know be safe.
Only ever use ATF, dexron. If the tank looks "muddy" you need to flush the old fluid from the system.
Hopefully it's this simple fix.
#6
Registered User
It has power steering pump and reservor.
Could be a bad pump. They can go bad.
Could be a leak and out of PS fluid. Am empty PSP is very stiff to steer
Could be a bad pump. They can go bad.
Could be a leak and out of PS fluid. Am empty PSP is very stiff to steer
Last edited by JoeS; 11-04-2023 at 09:36 AM.
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