Ford 7.3L Power Stroke (1999-2003) :: Power Steering Need Flush?

I have been noticing my brake pedal is very firm on and off also my power steering seems to get harder to turn than other times. But today i was sitting at a few lights and could hear my power steering pump growling at me intermittently if you want to call it that.

Also sometimes my truck will pull to the left or right then it goes away if i hit the brakes again. I don't see how the hydra-boost system would do something like that. But its not the slide pins because i just greased those along with new brakes and rotors all around at the beginning of winter.

I noticed when I grabbed my fluid lines going to the hydra boost from the power steering pump they seemed to rattle very rough so that makes me wonder if the pump isn't going out. How are the brakes supposed to be on these trucks? nice and soft? rock hard?

By the way truck is an 02 with 144k on it

View 11 Replies

Camry :: 2002 Steering Making Noise After PS Fluid Flush?

I have a 2002 camry and I flushed my power steering fluid today using the following procedure:

- emptied the reservoir

- connected return hose to a bucket

- added new fluid (ATF dexron III - from toyota dealer)

- jacked front wheels

- turned steering wheel side to side till new fluid came out of return line (my reservoir did get empty couple times in the process so air may have went in)

- lowered the vehicle

- reconnected the return line to reservoir

- ran the engine and turned side to side couple times (did not see bubbling and fluid level did not drop)

I took the car for test drive and noticed that my steering wheel was still making noise when turning. Also, when i was turning the wheel side to side with hood open, I noticed a change in the sound. There was a sticking sensation and steam pressure release noise when I locked the wheel on either side.What could be the problem?

View 10 Replies

Toyota - Tacoma :: 2003 - Gas Mileage Is Little Off - Fuel System Flush?

I recently bought a 2003 Toyota Tacoma with the 2.4 L engine and 160K miles. It seems to run fine. I took it into my Mechanics Files mechanic to have a couple of things done and he recommended doing a fuel system flush for like $300. My daughter has a 2008 Yaris w/ 100K. She took it to her mechanic recently (on the other coast) and he recommended a fuel system flush (for about $150!!--and she's on the West Coast, I'm in VA). She thinks her gas mileage is a little off (only getting 38 mpg !! ??), but otherwise the car is running fine. If these vehicles are running well, is there any reason to get this flush done? The idea that it may increase gas mileage if otherwise running well seems doubtful to me.

View 19 Replies

Lexus GX 2004-09 :: TB And Power Steering Flush Method

Had my 06' into the dealer and the SA asks me if I want the TB and Power Steering Flushed. He knows me and I could tell he wasn't convinced it was worth it. Don't know how to flush the Power Steering Fluid. I've done the turkey baster method on my 330 but never the full flush. What PS fluid should I use?

View 4 Replies

Ford Super Duty (1999-2016) :: Power Steering Flush On Non Hydro Boost?

So recently i blew a seal in my steering gear box. I replaced the unit with a reman and per napa put in power steering fluid. I am pretty sure i was supposed to use atf (my dumb fault for not researching that) so now my question is whats the correct way to flush the system? Also what fluid should go back in the system? This is a non hydro boost setup. Setup is a 2002 f350 v10.

View 1 Replies

Ford Super Duty (1999-2016) :: 2000 F250 5.4L - Power Steering Pump Flush

Any link on how to do a flush on the 5.4L power steering pump? I screwed up on installing my new power steering pump and used power steering fluid (new to ford) and it is moaning so I need to flush and get mercon ATF put back in the lines. The write up I found was for the diesel hydroboost and I do not have that setup.

View 3 Replies

Camry :: 1993 Toyota - Power Steering Pump Leak

What this thing is on the top of my power steering pump? It has 2 vacuum hoses going to it, "is it some sort of booster"? Fluid is leaking from this thing and I don't know if it can be tightened or replaced.

View 9 Replies

Toyota - Camry :: 1999 - Intermittent Power Steering Failure

Twice in the past two months, the power steering in my 1999 Toyota Camry has temporarily stopped working. The first time, I was making a turn out of a parking lot, and the wheel froze up (or at least became very difficult to turn). The problem completely disappeared after about 30 seconds. Two months later, the problem happened again while making a turn onto a busy street. This time, it lasted only about 10 seconds before recovering. Both times, the wheel seemed to lock after I had already turned it some amount - i.e., halfway through the turn. And both times, it was raining. I did not hear any unusual noises - e.g., belts slipping.

I have taken the car to two different mechanics (one of them the local Toyota dealer), and neither could find anything wrong with the power steering. From their visual inspection, the power steering fluid looks good, there are no obvious leaks in the system, and the power steering belt looks fine. And they were unable to replicate the problem, since it occurs so infrequently.

The mechanics have said that there are two most likely culprits - a faulty rack and pinion ($1800), or a bad power steering pump ($800). I am hesitant to spend this kind of money without believing that the problem would be fixed, but I'm also very uncomfortable driving the car when the steering could give out at any time.

What the problem might be, or how I should proceed? The car has about 100,000 miles on it and is otherwise in great shape, so I'd like to keep driving it for years to come...

View 1 Replies

Toyota - Camry :: 2006 - Power Steering Rack Is Leaking

My 2006 Toyota Camry LE (4cyl) is in the shop today for its 120,000 mile maintenance. The Toyota shop says my power steering rack (or boot?) is leaking, the whole thing needs to be replaced, and this is a $1200 repair. I had an accident in this car on 01/03/13, I was hit on the front passenger side tire, pushing it in and under, along with damage to the front lower corner of the door and the whole fender. I got the car out of the repair shop last week and immediately noticed a lot of banging and bumping that was not there before. I called the repair shop, they said bring it in and they will look at it, I was planning to take it in tomorrow. Meanwhile my car was due for an oil change and the 120,000 mile maintenance, so I dropped it off this morning and you know the rest of the story. I asked Toyota if this could have happened in the accident - they said while it could be that the banging and bumping noises are the boot rattling, it was not likely this would have happened in the accident. What do you think, is it possible or likely the power steering rack could have been torn in the accident or in the ensuing replacement of parts on the undercarriage?

View 6 Replies

Camry :: Toyota 2003 - Noise Come From Steering Wheel When Turn At Slow Speed?

I have a 2003 Toyota Camry. About 10 months ago, when I get a transmission fluid change, the mechanic told me that my power steering fluid is dirty. A few month later, in the cold winter month, my steering wheel make loud screeching noise when the engine is cold only. The mechanic told me that I have a small power steering leak. But since I don't see the power steering fluid level goes down and the mechanic say I don't have to fix it now, I didn't do anything about it.

About a month ago, there is a squeaking noise come from my steering wheel every time I drive very slowly out of (or into) my driveway and turning the wheel. Now I heard the noise when I drive slowly (10 mph) and turning the wheel too. So what is the problem that cause the noise when I turn the wheel at slow speed? I only drive about 5k miles a year. Is it safe if I just continue to ignore the problem?

Also, the color of my current power steering fluid is amber, but a little dark. Which power steering fluid should I buy?

View 6 Replies

Toyota - Camry :: Brake Fluid To Stop Power Steering Leak?

I had been driving around with gallons of ATF in my trunk for a year until I recently had the power steering pump changed on my 1996 Toyota Camry (which spent many winters sitting outside up in Canada), and now the leak seems worse. I brought it to my mechanic who wants $800 to change a leaky rack & pinion and a hose. But I am but a poor, unfortunate grad student and so I have no more money to put on this old, yet beloved car! So he suggested I put in a combination of ATF and brake fluid, which might slow down the leak. What say you? Will I ruin my newly acquired power steering pump or make matters worse?

View 6 Replies

Toyota - Camry :: 2003 - Popping On Steering Wheel Randomly When Hit A Bump Or Turn The Wheels

I have a 2003 Camry with 116k miles, 4 cyl, auto trans. I have been starting to feel some popping on my steering wheel whenever I hit a bump or turned the wheels. It happened randomly. Today I rotated my 4 tires and found this on my left front strut. I am attaching 2 pictures. Hope they are good enough for the experts to see. This is on the left strut. I don't know if its a tie rod. And when I shook it to see if it was causing the popping feel...indeed it was loose.

All I know it isn't good to see something like that. I want to know what this is, could I do it myself and what can I do about it?

View 3 Replies

Toyota - Camry :: 2005 - Power Steering Rack Leaking And Front Struts Cracked

We have a 2005 Camry XLE, with 102,00 miles on it. It has been very well cared for, and only serviced by our Dealer. We would like to keep the vehicle for another 50,000 miles. We have had an assessment of the vehicle done by the Dealer, because our brakes were very soft.

He found a great deal of air in the lines and flushed them out. He also found:

1.) Leaks in the power steering rack, which he graded as a level 8 severity on a 10 point scale. Repair estimate is $1100 to replace and align.

2.) Both front struts are cracked and graded for severity as an 8 on a scale of 10.

What do you think:

A.) Are these safety issues ?

B.) What are the consequences of delay ?

C.) Are these problems indicative of other likely problems ?

D.) Is it better to have a Dealer perform the repairs ?

View 8 Replies

Ford 7.3L Power Stroke (1999-2003) :: E350 - Fresh Coolant Flush Now Seals Leaking

So a dead thermostat forced me to drain the coolant in my E350 7.3L. I noticed the previous owner had green coolant in the van so I decided to do a flush and put in the right coolant. I used Shell Rotella ELC. Well, I noticed after coming home the other day that the van was leaking coolant, upon inspection I noticed its now leaking from the water pump, then today the drain valve sprang a leak! What the HECK is going on!? Is it possible that the seals were shocked when I changed the coolant? Not looking forward to doing a water pump replacement on an E350... sure is crammed under the hood.

View 9 Replies

Camry :: 2003 Power Steering Started Getting Hard

I have a 2003 Camry and the steering started getting hard. It got worse with time. I changed the power steering pump and no dice. Next I have just completed a rack and pinion replacement. After each change I have no improvement. The steering has hard and easy spots not hard all the way through.

View 4 Replies

Camry :: 2003 V6 LE - Power Steering Reservoir Return Hose - Fluid Leakage

Just checked out at 2003 V6 LE with 120k miles for $5500. Car seems to be in excellent mechanical condition but I did notice quite a significant power steering fluid leak, seems to be coming from the reservoir. I see that there are two hoses for about $80 each listed on Partsgeek.

Is this a common problem, can the clamps just be tightened, Could it be the reservoir it's self or even the pump too high a pressure?

Seems to be quite a lot of fluid running down the side of the car but after taking it for a test drive I didn't see any signs of it squirting out so perhaps it's a slow leak and been leaking for a while.

View 6 Replies

Camry :: Started Shaking At Stop After Transmission Flush

Bought the Camry new in May 2006. Besides the oil hose leak (which a recall fixed), it's been a perfect car.

Fast forward to the present. I needed a brake job, so my master mechanic buddy installed front and rear powerslot rotors and akebono performance pads and flushed my brake fluid. No problems with the brakes.

A few weeks later I wanted to treat my car to a 90K full transmission flush (it's first transmission service). I had it flushed at a local toyota independent shop. They used WS fluid. A few hours later, my transmission which shifted perfectly fine before the flush started shifting weird. I thought the computer had to relearn my wife's driving style. When she brakes hard (if she's going 50 and the light turns yellow and she brakes hard, her car slows down normal, but right before it comes to a complete stop is when the car shakes. She said it started right after the transmission flush.

A few days later when she was at a red light, the car check engine lit up with a check battery (she thinks that's what it said on the screen). When the light turned green, it wouldn't accelerate, but it would roll forward when you let go of the brakes. When she got to a safe place to park/stop she turned off the car. A few minutes later she turned the car back on and it was fine.

I told that to one of my buddies who had something similar happen to him in his 06 Mustang GT, the Ford dealer cleaned his throttle bottle and maf sensor and he was on his way. I had my throttle body and maf cleaned. Now with new brakes, new brake fluid, a flushed transmission, a clean throttle body and maf, I thought everything was good.

On the freeway , the car would not shift to 4th gear or higher. So I exited the freeway, drove the surface streets to a independent Toyota shop. Left the car there all day, they could not find anything wrong. So, right now everything is back to normal except the shaking when you are almost at a complete stop, which started AFTER the transmission flush, what that might be?

To describe the shaking problem, imagine I'm driving 45-50, light turns yellow, I slow down, 50-20 is fine, maybe even 50-15 is fine, but the car shakes right before it fully stops.

View 4 Replies

Camry :: 2004 - Ticking Sound After A Coolant Flush

Here is the thing, this did not start until after I got a coolant flush, and went to get some gas. I was thinking dirty fuel injectors, so I put the Lucas Fuel Injector cleaner in with the next full tank of gas, and it didn't do anything.

There is a ticking sound, and the car sounds like a freight train chugging. The car still runs and still has great performance than ever before (due to the new plugs)

Here is what I have done:

Ran motor flush
Changed oil + Lucas Oil Additive
Changed all 4 Spark Plugs (replaced crappy Autolite with NGK Platinum)
Changed Power Steering Fluid (flushed)
Changed Coolant (flushed)
Cleaned the throttle body and intake
Drained through and filled up gas again + Lucas Fuel Stuff

You can't really hear it from inside the car, and it only seems to be happening after the car has been warmed up. It does not happen during a cold start at all (in the mornings).

The ticking sound stopped for a bit when I ran the motor flush, and changed the oil. Now the sound is still there, but it is A LOT less annoying than before. The car also has A LOT better performance with the new plugs, I seem to be able to take off a lot better at lights.

Here is what I still need to do:

Change the engine air filter.
Double check the throttle body and intake.

It is a 2004 Camry with 182,000 Miles. The ticking didn't start until after it came back from the shop, which has me suspicious. Shop claims nothing is wrong, which is a load of BS.

What I am thinking:

Stuck valve
Lifters
STILL dirty intake (shop could have done nothing and charged me for it)

View 7 Replies

Toyota - Camry :: Steering Bad After Tire Alignment

After purchasing 2 new tires I went to a shop to get alignment done. The steering on my high mileage V4 1993 Toyota Camry was perfect when I took it to the alignment place. An hour later, the alignment having been done, as I was pulling out of the shop onto the road the steering was very hard but I thought something was tightened and would loosen up although I had never experienced that problem any other time an alignment was done. After driving it for several days, the problem wasn't improving. I left on a trip for several weeks. While gone my daughter drove the care for a few days and asked me what was wrong with the steering. When I returned I took the car back to the alignment shop and told them the problem. The manager or head mechanic checked the alignment and said the numbers were fine.

However, he said the rack and pinion needed replacing. I asked him what might have happened to result in the bad steering in the course of one hour while the alignment was done. He said that he didn't know. I took it to my usual mechanic who said that someone might have over tightened something. He's an older guy and does not want to work on racks and pinions. He suggested that I take it to Les Schwab and have them inspect it to see what's wrong and maybe tell them the whole story. I haven't done that yet.

After researching a bit about alignments, racks and pinions etc. I think that it is highly likely that some inexperienced person at the alignment place screwed up something. It's too much of a coincidence that exactly the hour that the alignment was done, the steering went bad. I am thinking that I might go back to the alignment place and ask them to do whatever they need to do to return the steering of my car to the way it was functioning when I brought it to them. They will likely refuse, of course.

View 14 Replies