Power steering whine

Howdy
2001 TRD 4x4
Developed a whining noise and it is the power steering pump. The power steering works as normal other than noise.
I have read and watched videos that say it can possibly be saved by flushing the system and cleaning the screen.
I removed enough fluid to see the screen and confirmed it was stopped up. I was also able to suck some of the crap off the screen. Noise did stop for a few hours.
Has anyone tried this?
Is it worth the effort to take the pump apart and clean it?
Or is the pump toast?

 

https://youtu.be/GOb5yF2Xv8Y

 

@4x4obsession

I had to change my fluid last Winter. 1995 with 155,000. First cold morning my pump started screaming and the steering wheel shuddered when I tried to move in the driveway. I did the turkey baster drain and lock to lock flush until my fluid was looking like new and it solved my issue. Been over a year and no repeat issue.

If memory serves me, it took roughly 3 quarts of fluid to get it back to clean. I know it was <1 gallon.

 

Can the power steering pump make a squealing noise as well if the screen is clogged up? My truck makes a squealing noise kind of like a car tire but not that loud obviously. I thought it did it randomly at first but it seems to do it more often when the steering wheel is at full lock one way or the other so I think it has something to do with the pump.

 

Try tightening the power steering belt. Inspect it for wear first though.

 

Thanks for the reply
I’m going to try to flush the system and clean the screen.
I’ll let you know how it works out.

And mine first started with the onset of cold weather as well.

 

It was a bit of a messy undertaking, but worth the effort. I would suggest adding a Magnafine filter to the return line. Works well to put it in front of the bottom of the radiator.

 

I flushed the system as well as possible without removing the pump. (Too much going on and don’t feel like taking it off now)

Almost one gallon of clean fluid used, moved wheels side to side, now the system has clean clear fluid.

Used a large syringe to pull crap off the screen (multiple times) during this process.

Significant noise reduction from the pump. Let’s hope it lasts so I can use the money for new shocks and springs (leveling kit) instead of a pump.

Thanks for replies

 

I'm too lazy and hate ATF so I took it in and had it done for $45 dollars! Lol, but if you keep it clean from now on you shouldn't have a issue. I'll probably get mine done once every year or two so since it's not much money and is a huge piece of mind. Because a p/s pump and rack/pinion are not cheap parts to replace and dirty, gritty fluid will kill them sooner than later.