Questions and Answers

Toyota 4Runner Hard To Steer Q. Please note that I am the owner of a 1993 Toyota 4Runner with a V-6 engine. I recently replaced the power steering pump as the steering wheel became very hard to turn and I assumed that the pump was the culprit. I purchased a remanufactured unit from Autozone and installed it and I am still experiencing the same problem.

What are the chances that the pump that I bought is defective? Do you have any ideas on any other part that may be bad. I phoned the dealer who advised that in his 10 years as service manager, he could only recall one occasion where the steering gear needed replacement. Even then it was because the seals were bad and it started to leak. My steering gear is as dry as a bone.

Regards,
Bob

A. It is possible you got a bad replacement power steering pump. I have, many times, seen new parts that were bad.

But there are a number of other causes of hard steering. Among them are:

• Improperly inflated tires.
• Incorrect front wheel alignment.
• Worn steering system joints.
• Worn lower control arm ball joints.
• Steering column binding.
• Steering gear out of adjustment or faulty.
• Improperly adjusted power steering belt.
• Low reservoir fluid level.
• Insufficient front end lubrication.
• Faulty power steering unit.
• Faulty solenoid valve.
• Faulty electronic control.

I would suggest checking the other possibilities before going back for another power steering pump, just to be sure everything else is good.