I'm stumped, the PS pump must be doing its job because the belt is turning the pulley and shaft and the PS fluid in the reservoir gets REALLY hot, but I have no power. Manual steering off-road is not fun! Your thoughts? and YES I am a newb, and YES i've looked for an answer before asking. what am I overlooking?

1986 4runner DLX - 246K miles 22re.

 

Lets start with the simple stuff first, is the fluid level were it should be ?, are you using the correct fluid in the power steering system ?, our trucks use ATF in the power steering system, DO NOT USE POWER STEERING FLUID it will cause the pump and steering box to leak.

 

I just bought my 4runner about 3 weeks ago and never paid attention to the color of the fluid! its clear.........crap....... thanks for the insight yota.

In this case, I'm guessing I should rebuild or replace the pump.

 

replaced the pump with a donor, return line, and fluid.... and now i have power steering!

 

so as an individual who didn't know that you weren't supposed to be using power steering fluid in the power steering, I've obviously been using the clear stuff and it's been leaking for a while.
If I switched to ATF would that stop the leaking?
or is the pump shot now?

 

all you can do is flush it out....refill and hope for the best...

 

alright cool,
hopefully it'll be fine and the leaking will stop...the po just told me he had to refill it every other month.
thanks

 

nlinn you might add some lucas power steering additive when you change the fluid, i have had good luck with slowing down leaks with it.

 

i filled mine with all season hydraulic fluid, it use4d to make noise with atf now its super quiet and has been leak free for four years, the fluid i used was rykon ISO 30 ALL SEASON

 

good to know...thanks ya'll

 

Flush out the power steering fluid and refill with AFT, you might get lucky. Otherwise you will end up replacing the power steering pump and possibly the steering box.