Power steering pump noise.

I just bought a 06 DCSB and I have noticed the power steering pump makes a lot of noise. Is this common on the tacomas or should I look into a new pump? I have checked the fluid and its fine. Its not real loud but at an idle you can here it over the engine.

 

the pump should not be making that much noise...it's probably going bad

 

How many miles? Lifted or not? Oversize offroad tires? Has the truck spent a lot of time offroad? Just some things that factor into the expected service life of your power steering components. Buying used is often a crap shoot.

 

mine was noisy.

closer inspection, i found fluid low and the side of the motor coated with gunk. just this weekend, i had the unit swapped out and installed a new belt. much quieter now. and cleaner.

 

Stock height and tire size. 117K miles. I bought it from the second owner and she used it as a college truck. looking under the truck I would guess not a lot of off roading was done with this truck. not a scratch or dent in any skid plate or X member under the truck.

 

So from what you guys are saying I should look into a new Pump and belt? OEM or after market?

 

I've got 115k and get a little whining noise at start up when the temps get near 0 or below but goes away within 30 seconds. Do you know if the PS fluid has ever been changed? Might be worth the time to do a fluid flush to see if it improves. I had a first gen tacoma that had a noisy pump @ 170k so I put some PS snake oil of some kind in it and the noise went away. Not a fix but it was an old truck with alot of miles so I took a chance.

 

i am not a power steering pump expert. i've been told that you dont want the thing to grenade and send metal bits throughout the system. not so sure if i subscribe to that logic.

but i had it swapped out. i opted for a rebuilt unit, since it was significantly less expensive. i had a shop do the work, since i injured my wrist and can barely pull a wrench. wasnt too bad, and was worth the money since i am rehabbing my wrist for an upcoming bowhunt.

 

I would actually like to add something to this. My pump was making noise last winter, this winter it is not making noise but when it's cold the steering wheel turns... Easy, slow, easy slow. BUT when the truck has been sitting in 20degC temp no problems. WTH? Any help would be appreciated.

 

The pump may be dying, but before you fork over $$$ for that, try this:

Make sure belt is in good condition and not slipping. This is not likely the problem as it's a serpentine(one-piece belt) and other components would be crying, but check it anyway for wear and slippage.

Here's an excerpt from an earlier !GR-FE FSM manual. Bleed air from system. I would first siphon the PS fluid from the reservoir and refill fill Dexron-III. That's what the book calls for. If the fluid is dirty, you may want to siphon and refill several times or simply flush the whole system.

BLEED POWER STEERING SYSTEM




(a) Check the fluid level.

(b) Jack up the front of the vehicle and support it with

stands.

(c) Turn the steering wheel.

(1) With the engine stopped, turn the wheel slowly

from lock to lock several times.

(d) Lower the vehicle.

(e) Start the engine.

(1) Run the engine at idle for a few minutes.

(f) Turn the steering wheel.

(1) With the engine idling, turn the wheel to the left

or right full lock position and keep it there for 2

to 3 seconds. Then turn the wheel to the

opposite full lock position and keep it there for 2

to 3 seconds (step A).

(2) Repeat step A several times.

(g) Stop the engine.

(h) Check for foaming or emulsification.

Especially, if the system has to be bled twice

because of foaming or emulsification, check for fluid

leakage in the system.

(i) Check the fluid level.


F040449

 

Okay Lester. Thanks buddy!! I'll get back to you guys with what I did. Thx

 

I have been doing some research on this also. I have a 2010 with 80k that has a bit of a whine as well. I have noticed the 1st gen tacomas had this same issue and was fixed when a screen in the fluid res was cleaned or removed. Since this seems to be a different design on this 6 cyl engine is there the same screen? My fluid level was a little low when I noticed the noise. Added additional fluid, noise has not let up.

 

I know it's a really old thread but curious if the 2nd gens have screens

 

Bump to attempt to fix mine this weekend, still trying to figure out if gen 2 has a screen in the Rez or a simple flush is the best place to start

 

Sorry to bring back a dead thread. My 06 Tacoma makes the power steering whine as well, however, it’s not the pump and I can’t pinpoint what it is. It doesn’t change in frequency when turning, but instead changes when accelerating. Any ideas? I’m new to auto mechanics, but I’ve done lots of work on snowmobiled so I know how to do things most of the time.

 

Put a new belt on it first,and see if that stops the noise.

 

Will do, got some other things I wanna do too. Only had the truck for 3 weeks now and love it so far! I’ll post back when I get a belt and get a chance to change it.

 

A lot of times its just the belt ,they dry up over time and will make noises because the rubber is no longer soft,

 

Yeah, that was my thinking, I originally thought it was the pump, but then I got to realizing the noise wasn’t changing when I’d turn, so that ruled it out more or less, so I did some research, and have narrowed it down to either the belt, a pulley, or bearing.

 

Mine makes a unqiue "whirl" up sound a few seconds after starting up. After that she is silent. Does yours do that as well?