I picked up a 1995 4Runner back in March of this year and the steering has been consistently getting stiffer and stiffer. It is now almost impossible to turn the wheel unless the vehicle is moving or I keep my foot down on the clutch and step on the gas. The funny thing is that when I first start the 4Runner the wheel turns fine for the first couple of minutes.

I have checked for leaks and I haven't been able to find any. Fluid levels haven't changed at all as well. Everything else seems to be working fine (accept the AC which I think just needs a top up). I spoke to a couple of repair shops and they all say that I need to completely replace the power steering pump. I have a couple of friends who say that that somebody probably put power steering fluid instead of atf in and so all I need to do is flush and replace it.

Does anybody have any ideas. I've done quite a few Google searches but everything I've found seems to regarding leaks. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

btw, on a couple of long trips when going over 110 kph a warning light has come on regarding the rear ABS system. It always goes away after turning off and restarting the engine.

Thanks!

 

If you have concerns about what fluid was used, just open up the reservoir and look. ATF will be red while PS fluid will be clear.

Does the idle drop at all when it's difficult to steer?