Leaky steering pump - Should I replace?

esuzuki · 2022-09-14T19:06:57-0400

Hi,
When I took my van to dealer about 3 years ago, they noticed leaky steering pump. Since then, I was just adding steering fluid when needed.
Can I just keep doing that, or should I replace leaky steering pump?

Also, how often replacing steering fluid is recommended? I don't think it was ever flushed & changed from day 1.
It's 2007 Gen 2 FWD and I'm the 2nd owner.

Thanks

BillG · 2022-09-15T08:27:44-0400

Yes, you can keep adding fluid, until you can't keep doing that anymore. The issue with this approach is that, if you forget and it runs dry, you kill the pump. Usually what leaks is not the pump, but a fitting connecting to the pump. This type of leak will basically never get worse. If it's actually a hard line or a hose, it can go from slight weepy leak to catastrophic rupture without warning. I don't believe there is any fluid service interval recommendation. However, in your case, you add it in the top and it slowly drips out the bottom, so you basically have a continuous flush system set up. Back in the day, everyone's car burned/leaked oil and I knew one guy who never "changed" his oil in his beater. Once every few months, he would spin off the filter and spin on a new filter. But he carried a case of oil in the trunk and added about a quart per week because it leaked EVERYWHERE. Some people have had luck doing a flush with fresh ATF and a quantity of stop-leak type product to get the leak to temporarily stop. Eventually, the only option is part replacement, though.

esuzuki · 2022-09-15T11:34:50-0400

Thank you BillG.
I like the way you look at the situation. Keep adding fluid is equivalent to slowly flushing the system

Unlike engine or transmission fluid, loosing steering pump only affects steering a van from the dead stop. I can live with that

Therbi · 2022-09-15T11:39:56-0400

You can also try some Lucas power steering stop leak. I've used it, it works. Worst case scenario it doesnt stop the leak, but since your always topping up anyways, not really much in the way of extra cost for you to give it a shot.

esuzuki · 2022-09-15T12:58:04-0400

Therbi said:
You can also try some Lucas power steering stop leak. I've used it, it works. Worst case scenario it doesnt stop the leak, but since your always topping up anyways, not really much in the way of extra cost for you to give it a shot.

Thank you, Therbi
I didn't know about the Lucas product. I will definitely try it!

honda coaster · 2022-09-15T13:18:47-0400

I bought power steering pump from auto salvage wrecking yard $40...$10 for plastic reservoir and cap..

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

honda coaster · 2022-09-15T13:24:36-0400

Its easier just keep refilling fluid if you're not DIY guy or handy...I only replaced it because pump went bad, screeching noise and lost of fluid too...not hard but is very tight spot for top bolt to back off..took too long for one bolt to lossesn all way out, no room for wrench much.

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supra129 · 2022-09-15T15:52:09-0400

It will eventually fail leaving you inconvenienced, you just won't know when and where. Your driveway will love you for replacing it.

BlueRidgeMark · 2022-09-15T20:33:29-0400

I completely cured steering leak on a Jeep with AT-205. Doesn't always work, but it's worth a shot.

esuzuki · 2022-09-16T11:58:04-0400

honda coaster said:
Its easier just keep refilling fluid if you're not DIY guy or handy...I only replaced it because pump went bad, screeching noise and lost of fluid too...not hard but is very tight spot for top bolt to back off..took too long for one bolt to lossesn all way out, no room for wrench much.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Thank you, honda coaster.
I'm novice DIYer and worry about touching serpentine belt on the engine... I also reviewed YouTube video for replacing steering pump, but it's in a tight space and I gave up...
I'll try Lucas product first.

esuzuki · 2022-09-16T12:04:42-0400

supra129 said:
It will eventually fail leaving you inconvenienced, you just won't know when and where. Your driveway will love you for replacing it.

Hi supura129.
I've steered and pushed Ford Thunderbird that I used to own when engine was not running, so I'm well aware of what's coming in not-so-far future...
Hopefully, Lucas stop leak will extend the time 'til then 😁

esuzuki · 2022-09-16T12:07:58-0400

BlueRidgeMark said:
I completely cured steering leak on a Jeep with AT-205. Doesn't always work, but it's worth a shot.

Hi BlueRidgeMark,
Thank you for the info on another stop leak product. I'll try Lucas product first.

esuzuki · 2022-09-16T12:21:41-0400

I bought this to try. Thanks again, Therbi!

Therbi · 2022-09-16T20:46:45-0400

See what it says right on the bottom of the bottle? Hang on to your receipt, if it doesnt work, at least you dont have to pay for it.

esuzuki · 2022-09-17T00:08:34-0400

Therbi said:
See what it says right on the bottom of the bottle? Hang on to your receipt, if it doesnt work, at least you dont have to pay for it.

😂 Somehow I didn't see that 😂

senoj · 2022-09-17T05:13:04-0400

I'll second Lucas. It worked well for me, had to add a little more occasionally but it made a big difference and kept the problem at bay for a long time, until I finally junked the car at 200,000 miles.

esuzuki · 2022-09-18T14:50:47-0400

I flushed power steering fluid with ATF, then added 12 oz of Lucas power steering stop leak today. I noticed that the area near the power steering reservoir was very dirty (oily).
After finishing the process, I also noticed small leak seeping from where return line is attached to the reservoir. After all, that might be where leak was coming from (and not pump itself).
I hope Lucas product will seal the gap soon

Thanks for your help!

sixto · 2022-09-18T16:26:21-0400

The return line is easy to replace. Use a MityVac to extract fluid from the reservoir to minimize spill. The hose only about 8” long between reservoir and steel line.

Sixto
‘04 LE FWD 200K miles

esuzuki · 2022-09-19T11:36:09-0400

sixto said:
The return line is easy to replace. Use a MityVac to extract fluid from the reservoir to minimize spill. The hose only about 8” long between reservoir and steel line.

Sixto
‘04 LE FWD 200K miles

Yes, I saw the return line seems to be easily reachable. I will monitor the progress for now.

esuzuki · 2022-11-09T14:24:18-0500

It's about 2 months since I did power steering fluid flush with Lucas stop leak. It may be too early to say, but I don't see any leak from reservoir where return hose is attached!!
I had to put van to Toyota dealer for other maintenance needs, but they didn't mentioned anything about "power steering leak" after multi-point check either. (They did mention about dirty cabin filter and burnt license plate light which I gently declined and did it myself). So far so good!

Though, I noticed side affect after doing the steering fluid flush... Steering is so light and picks up road surface condition so well that it tries to twist steering wheel right & left 😮
I had to do small counter-twist adjustment constantly to keep going straight... Is this normal?

Leaky steering pump - Should I replace?

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