[mjonesjules]

Hi,

I have a 2008 XLE Limited- 2nd hand. About 1.5 months ago after a 9 hour drive I heard a faint whine and sensed some vibration/resistance in the steering wheel when turning. I've had power steering pumps fail in the past, so assumed it was that. Following another 9 hour drive back home, I took it to a mechanic to check for power steering leaks or pump failure, but the problem was gone. Now, about 1.5 months later, I'm noticing the same exact thing. Anyone have a sense for what this might be? Maybe just the beginning of intermittent power steering pump failure? Both times the weather was extra cold. Could that be a factor?

MJ

 

[supra129]

How old is the serpentine belt? The pump is spun by the belt. Could be belt tensioner. How many miles does your van have?

How is the power steering fluid level in the reservoir? Make sure you have the right fluid in there too because Toyota doesn't use the clear stuff but transmission fluid.

 

[mjonesjules]

Good question on the serpentine belt. The van has 170K and I have good maintence records for it. I don't believe the serpentine belt has ever been replaced. Do you recommend replacing the belt since it has so many miles or just adjusting the tensioner? The power steering fluid levels are right where they should be with no obvious sign of leakage. MJ

 

[sixto]

Flushing power steering fluid isn’t difficult and probably due at 170K miles

Sixto
‘04 LE FWD 203K miles

 

[BillG]

Honestly, the symptoms you describe would make me (if it were up to me) put the van on a lift for a full once-over on the front end. The pumps on these vans only die when you run them dry, so I doubt that's the cause. You can get air bubbles in there, if there's a leak, which can cause it to get noisy, but you said there are no leaks. I'd want to make sure that the problem you are "fixing" is ACTUALLY the problem you have. Yes, you can certainly flush (or do a turkey baster drain and fill) the PS fluid (Dex III ATF fluid, I believe), but I would still check for play/wear in all the parts up front. I'd also do a wheel bearing check and, depending on when it was last done, you may want to consider that the water pump could be failing since the problem only manifests when everything is fully heat soaked. Finally, I'd probably check the condition/level of your trans fluid, just for good practice, because that is another thing that might only make noise when fully heat soaked.

 

[DC_Dave]

I'd change the serpentine belt, since it's of unknown mileage, and they are a 100k item, and easy to change. I'd also flush the power steering reservoir (suck the old fluid out, replace with new fluid, lift the front of the van, run the engine, rotate the steering wheels, repeat. I like maxlife ATF for power steering fluid in old PS pumps.

 

[3Wheelerguy]

Pumps and fluid don't come and go. Even if the belt I dont think is the issue. Something is binding.Common issues are upper strut bearings. They rot over the years. Water gets into them. Rust.
Maybe the steering shaft(?) from the column. Joint seizing up.

 

[blah415]

Hi,

I have a 2008 XLE Limited- 2nd hand. About 1.5 months ago after a 9 hour drive I heard a faint whine and sensed some vibration/resistance in the steering wheel when turning. I've had power steering pumps fail in the past, so assumed it was that. Following another 9 hour drive back home, I took it to a mechanic to check for power steering leaks or pump failure, but the problem was gone. Now, about 1.5 months later, I'm noticing the same exact thing. Anyone have a sense for what this might be? Maybe just the beginning of intermittent power steering pump failure? Both times the weather was extra cold. Could that be a factor?

MJ

The power steering pump makes that noise when low on fluid. It's inexpensive to change that. Start with that first.