Power Steering rebuild problem

[rickashay]

I recently developed a small power steering leak. So a couple weeks ago I ordered a rebuild kit from Toyota and went ater'. The rebuild was fairly straight forward and pretty much just involved resealing every part of the pump. After it was rebuilt and re-installed, I now have a slight problem. It seems like there is a large amount of initial force or a lapse in power steering when you make a sudden or hard turn. It feels like there is no power steering when you are turning hard (fast and sharp) but at a normal drive around town manner, everything seems completely normal, although a little stiff.

Things I've tried to remedy the problem:
- I bled the system by jacking up the front and turning the wheels left and right several times with the cap off of the reservoir. (i was told this was the correct way to bleed PS)
- My steering wheel has always had a large amount of slop, so yesterday I bought a new-to-me steering gearbox hoping it would cure the play in my steering and fix my other problem. It fixed my sloppy steering wheel but nothing else.

What next? Could it be just a large air bubble in the lines that still hasn't bled out? Was this the proper way to bleed it? Any other ideas? I want to get some feedback before I ditch the pump or have to pull it off and open it back up again!! Any help would be much appreciated!

[Tarzan]

Could the belt be slipping?

[91Runner]

Could the belt be slipping?

That would have been my guess too. I once went through a deep puddle and the belt slipped for a little bit causing me to lose power steering. I would guess thats the problem

[rickashay]

the belt tension seems ok but the belt itself is a little worn so maybe I will try replacing it and see where I end up... stay tuned. thanks guys.

[rickashay]

picked up a new belt today... it's def. a more snug fit than the old one. Tension is properly set and my problem persists. Any more ideas?

[Tarzan]

As far as bleeding the system goes there are a few tricks. I have a modified (it seals the resevoir) p/s pump cap with a port on top of it (this is a GM thing) and I attach a vacuum pump to it. When I bled the system I apply vacuum and like you turn the wheels but we do it engine off and use the wheels not the steering wheel this is the first bleed. Second bleed I perform is same as the first but running and then I repeat using steering wheel. Last bleed is same set up but wheels on ground using steering wheel. Sometimes getting air ouf a hydraulic system can be a real PITA.

[rickashay]

well it seems my problem has cured itself....sorta. I tried bleeding it using some of the above mentioned ideas. I turned the wheels by hand etc. before jacking the truck up and turning the front wheels. I got some small air bubbles out and the steering felt a little better. I took the truck camping in the Crowsnest Pass and was doing some very mild wheelin/ fishing up by Dutch Creek. When I was driving around Hillcrest before heading back to Lethbridge I noticed the problem was completely gone! The shaking around of the truck while I was out and about must have brought most if not all of the air out of the lines. Problem solved.... sure glad I didnt pull the pump and take it all apart again! Thanks for all the input.