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2007 Sienna - Replacing Power steering Rack and/or PS pump ... How hard?

35717 Views 11 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  JDSienna07
I have a 2007 Sienna Lmtd. Car has 51k miles.

I noticed that there are a COUPLE of drops of fluid formed on the Power Steering pump. There are NO drops on the driveway. I wiped them but a week later, they are new drops of fluid sitting there. So there is a small leak somewhere. To me it looks like it comes from the PS pump itself.

I took the car for some "recall" work to the local Toyota dealer and i asked them to check the "drops". An hour later, the service adviser calls me and tells me that my PS pump is not leaking - it is my steering rack that is leaking and that it will cost me$1,360 to get it fixed!!! :eek:

I told him that i don't have the money now and that i will do it a later time. This price just seems way too steep, plus this same guy also recommended a couple of other maintenance items that were already addressed 2 weeks ago! :( He was simply lying on the phone telling me that i need this and that at 50k miles! :eek: :mad: Not happy with him at all but this is a different topic.

Now, here are my questions...

1. Could it be just the power steering pump leaking and the guy trying to rip me off by selling me a new Rack and Pinion .... OR indeed, the leaking PS rack is a well know issue with the Sienna?? Even on 2007 model?

2. If it is a leaking PS rack ... should i be worried and address it ASAP, or it can wait as long as i check the fluid. So far, the car is not loosing much/if any fluid.

3. How hard is to replace the steering rack on these cars? I have all sorts of tools and i am DIY guy for the most part but i have never done a PS rack before on any car. Is this a doable home-garage project or i need a shop? Obviously, I will pay a shop for the alignment.

4. Same question but for the PS pump.... Has anyone done it? Any tricks? How hard is the PS fluid bleeding?

5. Any instructions, feedback, tips, advices are welcome. I am not paying the dealer $1300 to do this, even if i have to do it ASAP.+


Thank you!
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Dealerships are independently owned, so I wouldn't give up on all of them based on an experience with one - I'm giving up on them one at a time as I try them out and they mess up. ::)

I wouldn't even give up the current one without a discussion. Perhaps there was just a miscommunication.

A standard diagnostic technique would be to thoroughly clean the engine compartment, particularly the area around the power steering pump, then keep an eye on it for any leaks, before they have a chance to spread all over the place. Fluids are different colours so if they are fresh enough they may even be distinguishable by the appearance of the leaked fluid. A dealership should be willing to do this cleaning as part of the diagnosis for warranty repair; after warranty, a car wash visit with a can of engine degreaser would seem more appropriate to me.
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