A Power Steering WTF.

Now that the 1uzfe is up and running, I’ve been driving it more and more. The one thing that’s bothering me is the power steering feel. Initially it was rock hard. Like no fluid was in it. With the reservoir full, I “lock to lock” style burped it in the garage. And now after putting 60mi on it, the wheel feels great and flows nicely, until about after 90° on either side. Then it’s rock hard again. The reservoir is still full. In fact, it over flowed initially when the fluid got hot. 

Could it still be air? Or a blockage? How to know? My motor is from a ‘93 ls400, so I don’t think it has the variable power assist. 

I will say it steers slightly more easily to the right, than to the left. But that could just be perception. 

If you put the front end of the car up in the air, does it get stiffer around the 90* point like it does while driving?  Check this both engine on and off. 

If the issue isn't there with the car up, it's probably a slipping belt or failing pump that craps out under too much load. 

If it gets stiff with the car in the air, it's probably the rack or a tie rod end, ball joint, etc.

based on the 90 degree comment, i think i would check the steering u joint, follow the column down and check it, very common around here

I did pull the u joint on the rack for header installation. And my steering wheel is now “off” some. I didn’t think they needed phased, but i will do both checks literally right now. 

Edit: on jack stands it’s smooth as butter all the way through, Lock to lock. 

Double edit: twerked that wheel back and forth and the pump shot it’s load all down the engine bay... over filled?

I have found that power steering reservoirs need to be mounted above the pump.

Also a large diameter feed hose between the pump and reservoir.

In other words the pump inlet needs to be well flooded.

Any restriction of the pump inlet will result in cavitation / foaming and self emptying reservoir.

The more aggressive a car is operated the worse this problem will manifest.

The reservoir overflowing might not be a sign of anything. I know for a fact 90s ford trucks will overflow if you turn the wheel with the engine off. It’s quite a mess. It could be the same situation here. 

It’s probably not this, but are you using the right fluid? Lexus boxes use Dexron III ATF. At least I think that’s the right Dexron number. But definitely not “power steering fluid.”

In reply to dculberson :

Yep. Dex 3. The car free wheeled nice with the wheels jacked up and the engine off. With the wheels up, engine on, the problem persisted. At least I know it’s not a linkage issue... 

Somewhere I have the genuine Toyota rebuild parts for a 1995 LS400 pump. I wonder if they would fit yours? They're not doing me any good.

In reply to dculberson :

Rock auto says same. I’ll check toyodiy. 

Toyodiy says they are the same. At least the pump part number. 44320-50020

spandak said:

The reservoir overflowing might not be a sign of anything. I know for a fact 90s ford trucks will overflow if you turn the wheel with the engine off. It’s quite a mess. It could be the same situation here. 

Hey, Fairmonts do that too!  And they'll do it with the engine running, if you steer hard enough (autocross)

Actually, pretty much any Ford that uses the pump with the plastic housing will do it. And it squirts out the vent hole, all over the left side of the engine bay. I keep a pink shop rag zip-tied over my power steering fill cap. 

snailmont5oh said:

spandak said:

The reservoir overflowing might not be a sign of anything. I know for a fact 90s ford trucks will overflow if you turn the wheel with the engine off. It’s quite a mess. It could be the same situation here. 

Hey, Fairmonts do that too!  And they'll do it with the engine running, if you steer hard enough (autocross)

Actually, pretty much any Ford that uses the pump with the plastic housing will do it. And it squirts out the vent hole, all over the left side of the engine bay. I keep a pink shop rag zip-tied over my power steering fill cap. 

This is quite scary considering the ferocity, persistence, and easy ignition of ATF-fueled flames.

944's like to do this too, if they are full.  Found that out at the first AutoX where I took the 951S.

The reservoir sits right above the exhaust side of the engine.

Running slightly lower in fluid solved the problem.

Lots of smoke though.

I suspect there was another air bubble in the system that he worked out, which caused the cold fluid level to rise until the air could finally escape.

If there are more air bubbles getting into the system, I suspect you may have a slightly leaking fitting that is sucking air in.

Converting your column over to an electric column is something that more than a few people have done on their cars using parts from various small GM and similar cars.  Something to think about since you could lose the pump and potential mess of the fluid, etc.

In reply to Stefan :

That’s not a bad idea either. Although swapping to a manual rack is very simple in this car, the hard part is finding one

I got the fluid so hot at my first track day on Summit Point Shenandoah that it melted the plastic dipstick right off. I put on a cooler. That actually helps with most of the problems, but I do need to depower the rack, once I find the right water pump pulley. 

On edit: Oh, yeah! That day it locked the pump up so tight that it stalled a 300 horsepower 302. After everything cooled down, I started it, and it turned the wheel all the way to the left all by itself, and shut off again. 

Trackmouse said:

In reply to Stefan :

That’s not a bad idea either. Although swapping to a manual rack is very simple in this car, the hard part is finding one

The electric column idea works with manual racks as well (and often provides the best of both worlds).  Just make sure you get a controller for it or it will be on full boost all the time and that isn't ideal, some conotrollers have a speed sensor input, but most are simply controlled by a knob.

The chirping noise I’m hearing (initially thought it was just the new belt) seems to be from the PS pulley. Possibly, since the motor sat for two years before being used, the pump has packed it in. Also been reading about the Ps pumps for the ls400. Apparently they have a screen that needs cleaned out often. It’s not variable speed like the ‘96-up ls400’s. But it does have an idle up valve on it. I don’t think that would be an issue. When it fails, the valve allows PS fluid into the intake and a 007 white smoke screen is now at your disposal. 

Trackmouse said:

In reply to dculberson :

Rock auto says same. I’ll check toyodiy. 

Toyodiy says they are the same. At least the pump part number. 44320-50020

I will try to check on the parts tomorrow. I think I know where they are. If I have them, and you want them, they're yours.

In reply to dculberson :

PM me. And thank you, even if it isn’t the right part!

Update: took the car out today and ran it hard. To my surprise, the PS works now! My guess would be either air, or gunk somewhere in the rack, or the lines, or the pump. Hoping it stays this way! 

Ack! By the time I got home I totally forgot about this. I’ll run out and see if I have the parts. Even if your rack is working now they might come in handy later. 

Edit: no dice. They’re not in the shop so the parts are probably gone. If they turn up I’ll pm you!