I was out changing my oil today, and when taking off the skid plate, on the left hand side of it I noticed something had been leaking onto it. It wasn't enough to make it to the garage floor hence why I didn't notice it. Also, it wasn't there when I changed my oil 3k miles ago.

So I check the power steering fluid dipstick, no reading at all. I call my independent Toyota shop, and they quoted me $300-350 for a new pump(parts and labor), or $200-$250 for new lines. Of course, they don't know until they look at it.

My dilemma is that I'm driving from Denver to Indy for the holidays next Tues. and was wondering if I could get by by keeping the fluid full and always checking it? (other dilemma is that I'm unemployed)

Should I let the shop do the work, or is it something I can do (I have a friend that is quite capable at this stuff)?

Any advice is appreciated...
Rob

 

Id do it yourself. I did it on my tacoma which it seems is more of a pain to get into where the lines connect to the steering rack. It's not bad unless you have big hands in small quarters

 

Cool, thanks! If I'm gonna get by will filling it up as needed, is there a brand of steering fluid anyone recommends? Or does it really matter....

 

Well if your short on money for awhile just keep it full, but other wise you can get the pump for $50.00 and the return line and the pressure line for about $15-20...If you get to indy and break down email me im not to far away :xmas13:

 

It might say what kind of fluid to use right there on the cap. My Tacoma says to use Dexron 2 automatic tranny fluid for the power steering. Although I think any ATF will work.

 

89 4runner doesn't have a rack.........Its very easy to change

 

Thank for the offer! I will be with the family in Zionsville. Not sure where Aurora Ind is... but we have an Aurora Colorado

Preta, I'll take a closer look at the cap. Might be in black, hence why I didn't see it.

I hope its not the rack, the guy said thats a fortune to replace!

 

Wait... it does have a rack or doesn't? The guy at the shop said it did.

 

96 was the first year of rack and pinion steering, 95.5 for tacos, you have a regular power assist box

 

Thank you

 

If it gets bad and you're worried about it you can also just pull the belt off and strongarm it until you fix it. I did that for about 6 months in my 4runner with 32's, it was great Also, the pumps are not very difficult to rebuild, I have done it on two occasions with great success. You can get the seal kit from toyota for about $50, or do some hunting around and get all the seals for under $8. Good luck

 

I'd use regular power steering fluid in it. I've ran auto tranny fluid in my tacoma with the older ifs box like you being i still have the factory tacoma pump and and it doesn't work to well.

 

Use ATF (if that's what it calls for).

 

My '91 just recently started to leak PS fluid@ the seals and the hameer stealership out here in socal quoted the rebuilt kit for $150 and change. Also said the whole power steering unit was a $2800 special order.Still hunting for a better price myself......