Hey Yotatech,

Has anyone had success with store bought rebuilt or replacement 3vz power steering pumps? I've been chasing a leak since I bought the truck and i've put numerous amounts of pumps on this thing and they all eventually leak.

Who's had success with what pumps? I've had zero luck with Durasuck (Duralast) power steering pumps.

Also, do you use ATF or Power steering fluid?

Let me know,

Thanks,

 

If you are still leaking power steering fluid after replacing the pump several times, the issue is not with the pump. It is most likely with your steering gear box. When they age and if you put new fluid, they will leak/bleed out.

Regarding the fluid, you can use dealer stuff or a good quality power steering fluid.

 

I believe the box has developed a small leak. But the pump has been replaced 3 different times and ALWAYS filled with ATF... i've always used ATF in my power steering pumps and never had an issue until this particular Toyota.

Should I be using power steering fluid instead?

The 4Runner isn't daily driven, but this is how bad it leaks:

 

The power steering cap on my 94 says to use Dexron ATF.

 

That's exactly what i've been using. lol I have the classic ToyoDa cap that doesn't say anything though.

Here's what's interesting, the Trail-Gear kit requires the use of Power Steering Fluid.... The box can handle that?

 

All I can say your 4Runner must be cursed !!!

Then I only run 235/75/15 tires with no problems

The only ones I changed were off trucks that ran Huge tires once the tires were normal no more problems .

I used the Napa Pumps depending on how bad things were I got the ones with the Reservoir

 

Exactly. This issue surfaced when i put 37 military tires on, and i havent been able to figure it out since swapping back to 35s. 3 pumps later.

 

A leak that size should be traced relatively easily, no?

I have a Napa rebuilt unit on mine... it's OK, no leaks or anything like that... but I just feel it's not robust.

 

Yeah, it's leaking from the pump. That's already been decided haha.

I might just opt for a different pump this time. I'll replace the lines this time as well.

 

Do you have any local Hydraulic repair shops the Mom and Pop local types .

Maybe discuss your problems in other words explain how your over working the pump and seals keep failing

I wonder if it is heat related . most pumps have a pressure relief valve that opens if the demand is to high or some sort of pump problem causing to much pressure so not to damage components .

Maybe increasing the cooler in front of The Condenser giving more cooling area and more fluid can`t hurt .

that little loop of line helps cool the fluid but with over size tires might not be enough

I see these pumps failing all the time because of oversize tires .

I really never thought much about it never having the issue

Just a idea can`t hurt to think about

 

Another idea came to me. What about contam8nants 8n the fluid? Could hurt the pump I imagine.

 

That has some Merit but then I think many more would fail.

 

I am thinking like metal chips or larger pieces of debris. Not just bad oil or anything that would dissolve.

 

How exactly would debris be getting into the system?

 

Off the top of my head, previously ruined pump and putting in dirty oil.

 

When i swapped the pump the first time, I popped the pressure line and drained all fluids out. Here we are 3 pumps later. lol

 

Well, heck I'm out of ideas... But every time I hear of a component failing over and over again, I start to think what is causing it and not just that it's a bad product.

 

Haha i'm with you! I've heard horrible things about the Duralast power steering pump. Maybe i'm missing something during the installation, but everything is installed and functioning correctly. It just leaks eventually.

 

I gotta go that the tires are just to big for the stock pump

Stock was around 235/75/15 a far cry from what you have

Comes down to is it getting to hot

Required to put out to much pressure in use.

I need to look into these pumps closer never having Issues I never really had to rebuild one.

We are talking rebuild poor quality work and parts

Bite the bullet go with a New Toyota pump .

Get a used one explain your over size tires and have one built .

By a local shop .

Change what you have been using when they start to leak