I searched but nothing seemed to match my issue. When cold, as in the vehicle itself, my steering feels notchy in the wheel right after I back out of my driveway, put it in D and take off. It goes away right after that.
It feels like and old worn out farm truck for a moment, but so far it does not last. I have not noticed any leaks, and the fluid looks good and is full.
I've only had this rig for 3 days. So I cant say how long this has been happening.

 

I think I was having the same thing happen to my rig. I think it has something to do with the power steering fluid being cold. Since it has warmed up a little I haven't noticed it anymore. Mine was only doing it when going really slow or stoped and when the steering wheel was between about 75-100 percent turned. If anyone else has anymore insight post up too.

 

Took it on some mild trails (tires are more street biased) on now the steering squeals at full lock. Is this a rack problem?

 

Belt tension maybe..

 

I doubt it's your rack. Racks will usually leak before they go bad (at least from my experience). Seeing as it is a new truck to you, I would flush the p.s. system or at very least see if the fluid is red ATF.

You'd be surprised how many people put power steering fluid in there when you're supposed to use Dexron ATF. I'm also talking about my 3rd gen 4runner - I'm not hip to the newer Tacos/runners. From your avatar it looks like you have a 05+ Taco, but then again we are in the 95.5-04 section. Ah hell, just read your p.s. cap and make sure it's the right fluid.

 

my front end started feeling loose..................check your lower control arm bushings.
I raised my runner and the lower control arms are shaking like a leaf in the wind when I move the wheels left to right.
Not to mention the alignment being out of whack from the worn bushings.

Kenny S

 

Applejack - mine is getting notchy too. I drained the power steering i'd put in before I knew better and put in ATF and it got much better. Every 3000 or so it gets notchy and I use a baster to draw out fluid and put in new atf and it gets better for awhile. It's worse on cold days. Anyone know if an auto trans additive in the atf power steering fluid would help?

 

I had the same problem a while back and it turned out to be a worn power steering belt. I had it changed and no noise at all on full lock now. I would suggest having that changed.

 

Well for now I will remove whatever is in there and put in some ATF but if it pops up again I'll just change out the pump.
Thanks for the help guys.