How To Change Toyota Tacoma Power Steering Pump

If done correctly, changing the power steering pump on a Toyota Tacoma won’t take very long. Power-steering pumps are available from Toyota Motor Company, and if the company doesn’t have the model you’re seeking for, most auto parts websites will. It will be challenging to steer your Tacoma if the power steering pump fails.

Locate the power steering pump on the driver’s side of the engine compartment by opening the Toyota Tacoma’s hood.

Use the wrench to loosen the nuts connecting the power steering pump’s in and out lines. Underneath the pump, place the 24 oz. cup. Remove the pump’s lines, then let the water drain into the cup.

The nut holding the belt to the pulley needs to be loosened. From the pump, remove the belt. Remove the nuts holding the pump to the Tacoma’s engine wall with a tool.

Exit the engine compartment by pulling the power steering pump. Replace the fastening nuts holding the old pump in place on the engine wall after replacing the new pump in its place. To the pulley, reattach the belt. Tighten the pulley’s nut. The holes on the pump that correspond to the in and out lines should be connected.

Use the recommended fluid in the new pump in the recommended volume. The Tacoma’s owner’s manual has that information. To get the fluid flowing through the lines, turn the steering wheel left and right.

Can I swap out my own power steering pump?

You should only need some simple hand tools to change out your power steering pump. The task will be made simpler by some specialized flare-nut wrenches and a unique tool for carefully removing the pulley from the pulley shaft.

How much does a Toyota power steering pump replacement cost?

Replacement power steering pumps for Toyota Pickups typically cost between $306 and $575. While parts are priced between $187 and $425, labor is predicted to cost between $119 and $150.

How long does it take to take a power steering pump out and replace it?

A skilled mechanic needs two to three hours to replace a power steering pump.

According to each garage and dealership around the nation, the price to replace a power steering pump varies. To get the average hourly rate, we looked at our records.

We discovered that the average fee for garages in the London region was $78 per hour. As would be expected, the cost was a little lower for the garages located throughout the remainder of the nation, at 72 per hour.

What equipment is required to replace a power steering pump?

Resources Required

  • wrenches for hydraulic lines.
  • removing a pulley tool.
  • ratchet wrench or a boxed end wrench.
  • Draining pan.
  • serpentine belt or drive replacement for the power steering.
  • Pulley to replace the power steering.
  • pump for the power steering replacement.
  • safety apparatus (safety glasses & plastic or rubber gloves)

Your Car Makes a Whining Noise Any Time You Turn the Wheel

There can be a power steering pump leak if your automobile whines when you turn the wheel. A low level of power steering fluid is another possibility.

All drivers want to avoid their power steering producing noise. You should check the amount of your steering fluid and top it off as necessary to reduce the possibility of hearing your car’s power steering whine. You should send your car to a qualified mechanic if the amount of your steering fluid is adequate.

Your Car’s Steering Wheel Is Slow to Respond

Turning the wheel should cause your car to react. The power steering pump in your car could be broken if you notice that it responds to steering inputs more slowly than usual. Your steering pump might need to be replaced at this point.

Your Car’s Steering Wheel Is Stiff

If your power steering pump is failing, turning the steering wheel may become challenging. When this happens, you ought to take your automobile to a qualified mechanic so that they may examine the steering pump and, if necessary, repair or replace it.

Your Car Makes Squealing Noises When You Turn the Key in the Ignition

When you start your car, a faulty power steering pump may make squealing noises. Additionally, they could appear when you try to make a sudden turn in your car. Get your automobile checked out by a qualified mechanic who can identify whether the steering pump is malfunctioning in either of these scenarios.

Your Car Makes Groaning Noises

Groaning noises must be immediately remedied because they are loud and annoying. They can be brought on by a broken power steering pump or another auto problem. Fortunately, a qualified mechanic can examine your car, identify the cause of these noises, and immediately stop them.

Although a faulty power steering pump cannot always be avoided, there are numerous indicators that something is wrong. These problems can be readily identified and fixed before they seriously impair your ability to control your car.

Power steering pump, where is it?

Typically, the power steering pump is mounted high on the engine. The power steering pump may occasionally be found where the crankshaft meets the top of the engine.

What causes a faulty power steering pump?

Power steering is an essential component of modern driving, as anyone who has ever attempted to do so would attest. Driving becomes simpler, safer, and more comfortable for you and your passengers when your automobile has power steering. It enables you to swerve to avoid hazards or unanticipated onlookers on the road, such as animals, other cars, or distracted people. When it comes to the safety and agility of your car, your power steering plays a big part, thus it needs to be dependable. Your power steering system is, for the most part. It’s not damage-proof or impervious to breakage, though. In fact, there are a variety of potential issues that could arise with your power steering, and if they do, you might find yourself stranded trying to control your vehicle on your own. In this article, we go through the top five reasons why power steering systems break down as well as some advice on how to keep your car’s power steering from failing.

Editor’s note: This blog, which was first published in 2017, has been updated in 2020 to reflect technical and business developments.

Contaminated Fluid

A hydraulic system employs the force of an object pushing against a liquid to move an object, which is how power steering works. These kinds of devices can effectively manage your car since they can generate enormous forces with little energy input. However, the hydraulic fluid must be free of contaminants for this harmonious system to function correctly. Contaminated fluid has the potential to damage several parts, including your pump, by wearing down fittings, clogging the steering system, increasing friction, and more. For this reason, you should replace the power steering fluid in your car at the manufacturer’s suggested interval, which may be found in the owner’s handbook.

Improper Fluid Levels

Your power steering system requires a very specific amount of fluid to flow through it in order for it to function effectively. If the pressure builds up too much, your valves and seals may lose their integrity. If not enough, the fluid won’t be able to turn your car with the necessary force. While timely fluid replacement can help avoid this problem, any leaks could result in a loss of fluid and eventually cause power steering failure.

Broken Belts

A pump that is powered by the engine enables power steering. Because your engine and power steering pump are coupled, any stretching, fraying, corrosion, or fracture might result in an immediate system failure. Every time you have maintenance performed, we advise checking the condition of your power steering belt and replacing it if there are any indications of wear, aging, or damage.

Damaged Steering Pump

The key element of your system is the power steering pump. Every time you drive your car, you use them. Pumps are fairly resilient, but they can and will ultimately lose their effectiveness. A pump’s premature failure can result from excessive strain on it (i.e. strain from being pushed to operational limits like turning your steering wheel all the way to the right or left). Your pump might be about to fail if you start to hear a lot of noise when you turn the wheel.

Too Much Force

Potholes, sudden bumps, and harsh jolts on your wheels are just a few of the less-than-ideal driving conditions that power steering can tolerate. It’s crucial to keep in mind nevertheless that your system isn’t impervious to attack. Pumps, belts, and other steering system parts are susceptible to breaking under sudden, excessive tension. Devoid of a vehicle with a steering pump built to manage such difficulties, such as a 4×4 vehicle or all-terrain SUV meant for off-road driving, we strongly advise avoiding very rough roads.

Power Steering Maintenance

Contrary to popular belief, keeping your power steering system in good working order is simple. You may reduce the abrupt stress on your system and keep it functioning for many years to come by driving carefully and predictably. Like other parts of your car, routine maintenance pays off in the long run.

  • Check the pressures in your power steering hoses: Your power steering fluid travels through two separate hoses, one on the high-pressure side and the other on the low-pressure side. Make sure that neither hose is leaking because leaks might develop on either side.
  • Watch your steering fluid: Check your car’s most vital fluids, such as the coolant, brake, and power steering fluids, each time you change the oil. Bring your car in to get the system flushed if your power steering fluid appears to be running low or unclean. By performing preventive maintenance, you might avoid needing to replace your pump too soon.

Q. How Much Does The Power Steering Pump Cost To Replace?

A. The price to replace a power steering pump ranges from $500 to $700 on average. Most of the sum is made up by the part itself, which ranges in price from $350 to $500.

Q. How Long Should My Power Steering Pump Last?

A. The power steering pump in your vehicle has no predetermined shelf life. Having said that, you should anticipate needing to replace the pump after traveling about 100,000 miles. Some people live longer while others pass away much sooner.

Q. How Do You Test a Power Steering Pump?

A pressure tester is necessary when examining a power steering pump. While turning the steering wheel and idling the engine, record the pressure measurements.

What occurs if the power steering pump fails?

When the pump completely malfunctions, you won’t have any steering assistance. A leaky power steering pump will speed up the fluid’s depletion, causing noise and, eventually, a loss of steering assistance. Power steering fluid will drain more quickly if a power steering pump is leaking.

What should you do following a power steering pump replacement?

It’s always a good idea to clean and bleed the power steering system of air after replacing a power steering pump or pressure hose. This is a straightforward procedure for the majority of power steering-equipped vehicles. Any extra air in the steering wheel can be purged by turning it repeatedly from lock to lock.

Why doesn’t my power steering function now that the pump has been replaced?

Throughout the operation, make sure there is fluid in the power steering reservoir at all times. If that still doesn’t work, check for leaks and correctly connected lines. If everything is in order, your steering rack seal is either broken or your high-side hose is blocked.

How much should a power steering pump replacement cost?

A hydraulic power steering system is made up of 6 primary parts. They consist of:

  • assembly of a power steering pump
  • reservoir tank for the power steering
  • hydraulic high pressure hose
  • hose for returning power steering fluid
  • assembly of the steering rack and pinion
  • fluid for power steering

As a result, there are numerous places where a leak could develop. The reservoir tank, high pressure hose, return hose, rack and pinion assembly, or pump could all be the source of the leak.

You can climb under your car to try to locate the leak’s source, or you can just hire a pro to identify the leak to figure out where it is coming from. The power steering system leak repair or replacement prices are listed below.

Power Steering Pump Repair Cost

A power steering pump typically costs between $200 and $350 to repair.

The price range for a new power steering pump is between $400 and $800. (depending on car model and what shop you take it to).

Power Steering Reservoir Tank Replacement Cost

The cap and hose connector are the typical leak points for the power steering reservoir tank. However, a spill or noise occasionally results from a blockage in the reservoir tank’s filter, especially when the tank is spinning.

Depending on the vehicle and how challenging it is to reach the reservoir, replacing a power steering reservoir tank typically costs between $150 and $250.

Power Steering Hose Replacement Cost

Power steering fluid is delivered to the rack and pinion of the power steering system through power steering hoses, which are commonly composed of rubber. Unfortunately, these rubber hoses eventually have a tendency to split, allowing the fluid they are carrying to spill.

Because of the crack that allows fluid to flow from it, the actual repair will probably involve replacing the power steering high pressure line or power steering return pipe.

Depending on the make and model of your car, the cost to replace with new hoses will probably range between $100 and $300 for parts. The replacement will cost between $80 and $160 in labor.

The hourly labor rate that the mechanic charges determines the labor costs. A power steering hose replacement repair should take around an hour to complete, and most mechanics charge between $80 and $120 per hour. As a result, the price of replacement will range between $180 and $460.

Power Steering Hose Repair Cost

You can fix the hose yourself if you need an urgent repair while you’re out of town or if you want a less expensive and temporary option to replacing the hose. Simply locate a nearby auto parts store, buy a male-to-male brass coupler, two hose clamps, and a tool to cut the hose, and you’re ready to go.

Find the area of the hose that is leaking and cut off the problematic area. After cutting off the defective hose, place the coupler inside each hose, and tighten each side with a hose clamp.

You can resume driving after paying less than $10 for this short-term fix. The line will eventually need to be totally replaced because its condition has gotten so bad that other leaks are likely to occur.

Power Steering Rack and Pinion Repair Cost

The typical price to fix a leak in a rack and pinion assembly will probably range from $500 to $1,200. Since you must totally repair the steering rack and pinion, this is far more expensive than other power steering system components.

This includes a front wheel alignment in addition to replacing all of the O rings and oil seals inside the steering rack.

Generally speaking, it is better to replace the rack and pinion because the cost is comparable.