So... I just got in my 94 4runner v6, and went to leave, and I lost my power steering! Belt still on, fluid still full in resivour , no ungodfull noise from pump, just no power steering!!!

Any thoughts??

 

seeing as your a " drunk guy " have you done any work on it lately , maybe you don't remember ?
real uncommon for the p/S just to stop working !


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Belt is on, but is it tight?

 

Same problem with my 91. I since replaced gearbox and pump and still no power steering (and no abs).

 

Hoses are broken, or bent shut. Rubber hoses can look good outside, but are collapsed on the inside. Or the pump is air bound for some reason.

 

it's probably the abs control module valve thingy. It is part of the high pressure oil flow to the steering gearbox.

 

Anything is possible.

The PS pump has, internally, a bypass valve that bleeds pressure back into itself so as to protect the whole system from overpressure, as does the steering box- diverts pressure back to the return hose if pressure is too high.

All kinds of little valves everywhere that can prevent pressure from getting where it needs to be for the system to work properly.

 

Ugh. Power steering failed one day, so I replaced the pump and steering box (old one leaked anyway) and had power steering for 1 minute before failure again. So.. Replaced the pump again, replaced high pressure hose, removed abs modulator (abs didn't work anyway), and the return hose appears to flow fluid (not plugged). Still no power steering. It must be another bad pump or steering box. Are these rebuilt units junk?
PS Thanks for the replies to date.

 

Sadly yes; Some people actually get their parts from different places because when one place gets in a bad one, the ones around it are bad too. So from time to time you will get bad rebuilds, and the next one is bad too. I would go the junk yard route if possible. Sometimes its just less hassle.

 

Disconnect the steering shaft from the gear and make sure the small universal joint moves smooth and freely on both axis. If either is stiff, replace the shaft. A seized u joint here will feel EXACTLY like a total lack of power steering.