Over the last two years, I have installed no less than four power steering pumps in my 95 Toyota Tacoma. Sure one broken pump was my fault, but the others were not. What I finally discovered was a worn out steering rack over working the power steering pump and causing it to wear out.
Is there ever a good time to work on the truck
In good Augie’s Adventure’s style, I waited until the hunting season to repair the truck. On a fall Saturday perfectly made for deer hunting, I crawled under my Tacoma and began dissembling the front end. After a visit to Advance Auto Parts, I had the parts to replace the steering rack with two new tie rod ends and even install a new power steering fluid cooler.
I have never claimed to be a mechanic. In fact, the last time I had the Tacoma in the shop, the shop mechanic smiled and said he likes it when I work on my truck. It provides him with a steady income. But in an effort to save money I keep on turning wrenches.
Replacing the Steering rack in the Tacoma
The first order of business was to put the truck on jack stands and remove the front tires. Easy enough. Next I pumped out the fluid in the power steering pump and disconnected the lines. So far so good.
The disconnecting of the tie-rod ends, and unbolting of the steering rack went with out issue. Sure, sliding under and back out from under the truck countless time to get the right wrench, or a bigger hammer is getting hard on this old body, but I was saving money.
Then came the steering rod connection. After unbolting the pinch bolt holding the steering rod to the rack, it was supposed to just slide off. It didn’t. Finally after many nasty words, I gave up and had to disconnect the pinch bolt farther up the steering rod and slide apart the rod.
And lets not even talk about the tie rod end locking nuts. I did win in the end, but the nuts look like they have been through a war, and so do my knuckles.
After 8 straight hours on Saturday, the truck was dissembled and ready for new parts on Sunday. I was whooped.
Like most of my projects, the resembling took much longer than I had anticipated. The fishing of the steel fluid lines back in place took some finessing. Then I had to hold up the 40 pounds of steering rack with one arm and guide the steering rod back together with the other free hand. Oh what fun. But in the end after using the floor jack to hold up the steering rack, bolting the tie rod ends on to hold it in place to reconnect the steering rod, then disconnecting the tie-rods to fit the steering rack into the correct position and bolt in place, I had it in. Another 5 hours spent working on the truck.
I filled the power steering pump with new fluid. I worked the steering back and forth, removing the air from the system. Test drive time.
Well, let see. The engine spit and sputtered from the water I got in the engine power washing it before I worked on it. The steering worked but seemed way too tight. and the power steering pump still whines like a little child. Oh yea, did I mention the brake peddle goes to the floor now, not stopping the truck very well.
I fixed the brakes. They were just low on fluid. I do think it is time for new rear shoes and I think the system needs flushed. Seems I may have gotten a little water in the system after a few too many deep water crossings.
Man, I love owning and working on 18 year old trucks.
I knew and was planning on a front end alignment after the steering rack install. So, I gingerly drove the truck to the shop on Monday and just added a few things to the list for the shop.
All in all, the replacing of the steering rack went about as planned. It took longer than anticipated, broke something else in the process and still ended up in the shop once I was done wrenching on the truck. Yep, normal operating procedures for Augie’s Adventures.
For more information on the building of my Tacoma and general wrenching check out The Truck Tab
