Power Steering is failing but problem goes away after it rains

Hey guys. I have a leak in my rack and pinion and I can see where it leaks on the ground on the passenger side. The fluid level does not change at all in the resevoir or at least it is ever so slight that I can't see a big difference. The power steering is intermittent at this point and it will almost completely stop working, making it very difficult to turn the wheels. Recently, we had really heavy rains and when I took the truck for a drive the problem was completely gone, allowing me to drive with one hand again with ease. Does this have something to do with the rain? Is moisture getting into the system? I'm pretty baffled by this but maybe someone can help. Thank you.

 

I’m going to guess the rain lowers the tire to ground resistance. I cant say whether this is indicative of a bad rack/pinion, or PS pump, or both. The leak may be controlled with a leak-stop additive. I’ve had good experience with ATP

$21 AT205 ATP Automotive AT-205 Re-Seal Stops Leaks, 8 Ounce Bottle

AT205 on a leaking Corolla. About to use it for a leak in my Taco diff.

 

I might try this! There's nothing to lose right? If it's already on the way out, at least it will hopefully delay the need to fix it.

 

pump could be leaking.

hopefully there is not a suction leak which causes air entry that stiffens steering and ruins pumps.

after 10/100 it’s common for a rack and pump to be having issues.

 

Don't put the whole bottle in! Maybe a quarter of it. Then drive about two hundred miles before adding more.

 

I

had it diagnosed and they said it was the rack but who knows. It’s weird that it’s been so intermittent and it will completely fix itself and then go back to being an absolute workout to turn the wheel. What do you mean by 10/100?

 

10yr, 100K miles.

 

If heavy rain makes it work, I would look for the belt slipping on the ps pump pulley. Assuming the rain was not coincidence, this is the only thing that makes any sense. If it is not rain related, then bad seals in the rack are allowing the chamber’s to fill with air. This explains why it doesn’t lose fluid,but still not assist.

 

rain rejuvenate the intermediate shaft u joint. Spray some penetrating oil on the U joints of the steering shaft.

 

I agree about the belt slipping idea. Years ago when I worked at a gas station, one of the diagnostic test for a slipping belt was to spray a little bit of water, and see if the squeal stopped. But it doesn’t last very long, so, unless water was getting on the belt continuously, I’m not sure how it wouldn’t have gone back to difficult steering after a few minutes.

 

This. Try it. Worked for me.

 

Would that mean that the steering shaft could be the problem and replacing the rack and pinion won't fix the problem?

 

Yes that's what he means. Spray some penetrating oil on the steering shaft u-joint and see if it helps the problem.

The shop will just replace the steering rack and then shrug when it doesn't fix the problem

 

Ok! Should be easy enough to get to. Can the u joint be replaced or do I need the whole assembly? Only thing I'm curious about is the fact that I am seeing power steering fluid on the ground, passenger side. The resevoir never changes though.

 

The joint is part of the lower column, outside in the engine bay

If the reservoir isn't dropping then make sure you're correctly identifying whatever you're seeing on the ground. Have you crawled underneath and looked yourself?

 

The fluid has to come from somewhere, if the res never changes level its another liquid.

 

Rain makes turning the tires a LOT easier on the wet surface.

 

That is possible, in the 1980s a lot of GM cars had bad steering racks and at first the issue was intermittent.

But I think you should try this first. You're about at the age, my 2010 just had this issue last year. Open the hood and lean in from the driver's side fender with a can of PB Blaster. Spray the joint of the intermediate shaft and turn the wheel about 1/5 turn, spray again, repeat until you have done the whole joint. If that fixes it I would replace the joint..my shop was about $600 for it on my 2WD.

 

https://www.amazon.ca/Steering-Compatible-2005-2015-Tacoma-45203-04021/dp/B09C5PMMJ2?hvadid=459396046522&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4440148052694084016&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001133&hvtargid=pla-1426095619569&mcid=465f346847033467913ec873dabfee08

I had this problem, and sprayed that u joint. Problem went away. I spray it every oil change, no more issues.

 

Can I do this from the engine bay or do I need to open the wheel fender lining?