2011 Tundra random loss of power steering

My son’s 2011 with about 50,000 miles started getting stiff at times last winter. Earlier this week when it was 10 degrees there was no problem, but today with the temp was mid 30s it went completly until he got home. He shut it off and started it back up and it is fine. There are no noises, leaks, or codes. Fluid level is full. Dangerous as heck, but how to find out which to replace. I am not sure a pressure test would show anything unless the steering was acting up. Any suggestions for a reasonably price test kit that has fittings for a Tundra would be helpful as would any other suggestions.

 

Is the reservoir still full? If you slip off the serpentine belt, does the pump turn easily?

 

I have not taken tensely off but will try that. I am leaning toward the dreaded rack replacement but will research a little more. Thanks for that suggestion. I assume it should easy to turn or at least stead pressure. The lack of noise or vibration suggests to me it is not the pump and the fact it comes and goes.

 

You say that the reservoir is full and you don't see any leaks, so that does rule out a lot. How is the U-joint on the intermediate shaft between the rack and the steering wheel? That is a part I have replaced on most of the Toyota vehicles I have laid hands on that are 10+ years old. You should get a bit of a clatter/thunk from the wheel though as that goes out.

How old is the serpentine belt? Does the tensioner appear to be working?

Don't overlook the things the PS system needs to work properly that aren't actually part of the PS system. If there's something up with the belt and/or tensioner, you might also find that the AC doesn't work properly.

 

I plan to take a close look at the u-joint today along with a closer look for leaks etc. Unfortunatley it was recently sprayed with NH oil undercoating but I will clean and check the boots closely. I am trying to get a grasp on if it is the rack what would cause it to stop working completly and come back fine afterwards. I could understand if one side's seal was leaking that you might loose fluid and weak stearing but to loose it all and have it come back is confusing to me. If the u-joint is binding that could explain it all. Thanks for the tip. If anyone can explain what could cause this sympton from the rack only or know of a link please let me know. If the pump compeley quit and came back that could also explain the problem but I do not think the pump would come back especially if there is no noise that I know of. Any suggestions as to best place to buy rack if needed would be useful and it appears new oem is the best way to go. Thanks for the help.

 

Hypothetically, let's say they got that on the belt, then at certain temperatures it might be too slippery to spin the PS pulley. Just saying...

 

Good point but I do not think it would loose the steering completely with out a noise nor come and go like it does,but I will also check for that. I was going to pressure test the pump but the cheaper test kits 100 and below do not seem to have good reviews nor if it is not acting up it would most likely not show up. Thank you for your time. I would like to find out more about what could go wrong with a rack that is not leaking to the outside. I could understand if it got plugge up and just stopped working or worked in one direction only but not what could make it compeletly come and go unless it was the pump. I would like to figure it out for me and all the others with the same problem. Thank you for your time.

 

I mean did the problem exist before the oil coating was applied? That is just far too coincidental.

 

Yes, last winter it was just stiff two or three cold days, but never completely gone until this week. Today I looked closely at the boots for fluid leakage and there was none, the reservoir was where it should be. I could see the lower steering linkage and planned to jack the truck up tomorrow (it has the 5.7 so it covers a lot of the steering column) to try to see if there is something wrong there although I am not sure what I am looking for unless for rust or bent parts. I had to stop to help someone and never got back to inspect the belt more closely. I will do more research on the lower steering column issues. Thank you for your time.

 

https://www.tundratalk.net/threads/steering-shaft-clunking.627194/

 

Audiowize thanks for the link. I read it and as far as I know, there is no clumking (my son's truck) but will talk with him about that. It is just stiff at times and total loss once briefly. I live in the salt belt and it is 11 years old but only (50,000 miles) so one of the shafts could very well be the answer, but I am studying all areas before I just start replacing parts. I think greasing the shaft may be first step, 2nd order a tester to test pump pressure but not sure the cheap ones on Amazon have the proper fittings. I have been watching videos on how the spool valve works and I have not figured out if that could block all power temporarily, so I am leaning on toward pump or seering column joints.Thank you for you time. I hope to write up all the steps of diagnosing all areas in one post for others, since so many seem to have the same problem and try parts before knowing what the real issue is.

 

I would give it a partial fluid change or go full flush if preferred.

I just take a turkey baster and suck out what I can, replace with fresh, run a couple minutes (while turning wheels a bit), repeat 2-3 more times. Stuff comes out Black, can't shine a bright light thru it or even the sun!

Runs like a Champ now!!

 

That was going to be my first step, although the fluid looks good and only 50,000 miles on it.