My '93 4runner 3.0L has been absolutely fantastic, but I gotta ask for some help on an issue. I've tracked down a sound to the power steering pump/pulley. As it turns, it squeaks/makes-an-unhappy-noise. Assuming it is the pulley, or the bearings that they ride on, or the pump it self:


How do I diagnose which it is?
If it's the bearings in the pulley, can I replace just the pulley, or the bearings?
SHould I just replace the whole powersteering pump/pulley?

Thanks,
B

 

You can buy the complete rebuild kit from the "stealership" they're actually pretty cheap and to rebuild it is a POC! I did mine last year and the rebuild kit was, if I remember $26.00! Or you can go to the boneyard and roll the dice or you can get a brand new one from the "stealership" for close to $300!
Good Luck!

 

Are you sure that it's the power steering pulley? Try some "Belt-Ease" or some other type of belt dressing to see if the sound is reduced or eliminated. I had a very noisey what-I-thought-was-a-pulley which turned out to be just a worn belt.

 

I'll have to give that a try. If it gets quite when I dress it, I'll just have to replace the belt... they say "toyota" on them and they look pretty old, so I'll assume it's time to replace them anyway...

I'll look into the rebuild kit if it's not the belt, thanks for the advise! (more comments are welcome)

**edit ... I went out and seafoamed the 4runner, and put my soapy hands all over the belt ( cheap "belt-ease"... and the squeal went away... it's Good News! I just have to get a new belt. Thanks!