Power Steering Pump- 3rd Replacement in less than 2 years

Hello. New here so bear with me.

I have a 2016 TRD Off Road that had its first power steering pump replacement in June 2020 at 55,000 miles. Strange... but these things happen.

Leaking heavily and got it replaced again August 2021 under part warranty.

Checked today, December 2021, at 65,0000 miles, leaking again. Shop will replace again under warranty.

I keep asking the shop (Christian Brothers) what the underlying issue is and their answer is just "human error," "parts aren't made to last anymore," "sometimes it's as simple as an o-ring".... however 3 replacements in 1.5 years, the most recent being 4 months ago seems beyond what could be considered normal.

Any experience with this? I'm NOT a mechanical person. Do I have a lemon? Or what could the REAL issue be?

While it's great these replacements are free, I'd rather this not be an issue at all.

 

Welcome to the forum. That sounds crazy to me. I would be thinking that something else is causing the failure.

 

Very unlikely you would get 3 poorly constructed pumps. Pretty rare for a PS pump to fail, unless it is run short on fluid.

Seems to me the dealer/mechanic has an installation problem.

FWIW, the pump in my '06 (115 kmiles) is the original. The pump in daughter's '02 TrailBlazer (120 kmiles) is original.........I'm sure these aren't the only two unicorn pumps.

 

Are they installing an OEM pump?

 

You sure it's the pump leaking and not the front cover?

 

Welcome aboard. I hope you git r sorted out.

 

That's definitely my thought. This many in a row, there must be a root cause. Even having to replace the original Toyota one at 55,000 seemed VERY odd.

I appreciate your feedback. That's what attracted me going into Tacomas. Low and behold I've put more time and money into this truck than my VWs. The mechanic is very reputable, so I don't think I'm being played around. That being said my next step is to try Toyota directly. Just wasn't sure if this was an issue for anyone else

Great question. I think so but I'll make it a point to confirm.

No, I'm not sure. That's just what they tell me.



Thanks for the replies so far. I'm honestly not even sure I'm replying correctly I'm so new to this. It's pretty clear to me (on my 4th pump) that the pump isn't the main issue. And I don't know enough about the mechanics of a truck to know what else it could be. Frustratingly, neither does the shop it appears. May be time to go to Toyota directly..

 

Stock or modded truck?

 

Pump, not the rack, right?

 

I would hope that they completely flushed the system and cooler at some point. Very unusual for PS pumps to fail at that mileage. Oil contaminated with grit will damage o-rings, seals, etc.

 

stock except for 18 inch wheels and ko2 tires

Correct. I specifically asked them both times to check it wasn't the rack.

They did a complete flush each time... all seemed above board. I've been a bit easy on them cause I assumed my truck was the problem... but for this next replacement I'm going to be a bit sterner about insisting they have their best guy on it, and really get to the bottom of this issue.

It seems clear this isn't an issue other people are having, so my only thought is they aren't really using OEM or they are just rushing through the job.

 

Are they replacing it with the proper fluid(DEXRON III ATF)?

 

Willing to bet every pump that was replaced was fine and its the timing cover that was leaking this whole time. Ask them to put dye in the engine and see if it seeps out from the timing cover.

 

I’ll bring this up to them for sure. Appreciate the suggestion

 

Good question. I’ll definitely confirm with them.

 

The 16s had an notorious leak on the front timing chain cover right by the power steering pump. Same happened with my 16, swore it was ps leak and nope! I will guarantee you it's not your ps pump but your timing cover leaking. Search the timing chain cover leak on here and you will see your problem, tons of info on here. Good luck buddy! Hope your still in warranty because the timing cover leak is a pull the engine out to fix kind of job. Depending who you ask, and it's been quoted like 3Gs to do it. Are you having to add alot of ps fluid?

 

+1 on timing cover leak, sadly. It runs and drips right off the PS pump. Did your steering fluid level ever go down?

 

Subbed to see if its timing chain cover

welcome aboard OP

 

Hey man I just did a search and see it's an issue like you said. I'm kicking myself for not getting the extended warranty. I appreciate the info though and I'll definitely look into this. I knew there was no way a PS pump could fail 3 times before its 70k birthday.

Is this something I should bring to a dealership? I never get work done there directly, but I would if its a difference of expertise with Tacos.

It not gushing out or anything extreme like that. Do you get your work done directly at Toyota or your own guy

Thanks bud, I'll keep this thread updated when I get a definitive answer.

 

Yeah no problem bud, just clean the area really well and start it up and crawl under there and look all around the ps pump area and you see the drip/leak. Take the skid plate off though. And you can see through the passenger side wheel well.
Unless you are a professional mechanic I wouldn't attempt it. It is a very labor entinsive job. Well a dealer is going to rape you on price 3-5k but they know toyotas very well. If you have a buddy that's a mechanic he should be able to do it for much less but use toyota only parts and toyota sealants, it's worth it. Toyotapartsdeal.com is amazing on prices, you pay what the dealer pays, no mark up.
I plan on fixing my leak when my clutch goes because the gearbox is out already, then pull the motor and put on stand. But I will do alot of new seals and gaskets and extra stuff since I'm already in there and I have 180k miles on mine. All in all it will be way cheaper doing it myself but I have a shop and the experience thankfully.

Or just live with the leak for aslong as you want. I've had my leak for 80k now and no drops on the driveway that's how slow it usually is.

This is what's involved.