'03 tacoma power steering pump problems

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bdbone - 21 Nov 2005 19:06 GMT

I recently cot my totally stock '03 tacoma serviced with a little less
than 42k miles on it and they said the power steering pump was leaking
and needed to be replaced. This will be the third one!! I read some
topics about an '01 having the same issue a few years back. Clearly
has anyone else had a this problem with the new trucks. I am very
disappointed the this seems to be a recurring issue with my truck.

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ASEmaster - 29 Nov 2005 00:57 GMT

My '00 SR5 Xtra cab V6 4WD is in the shop right now with a power
steering pump leak. At 25,000 miles the pump was replaced under
warranty for this problem, then again at 44,000 miles (thank goodness
for the extended warranty I bought!). Now at 63,000 it's happened
again. I'll tell you now I'm not keeping it long enough to see if it
reoccurs at 80K! I'm supposed to hear from the dealership tomorrow on
thier action plan.

I've been searching online to see if this is a common problem and what
the permanent fix is, but so far I haven't found anything.

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ASEmaster

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bbtaco - 29 Nov 2005 03:10 GMT

> My '00 SR5 Xtra cab V6 4WD is in the shop right now with a power
> steering pump leak. At 25,000 miles the pump was replaced under
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> I've been searching online to see if this is a common problem and what
> the permanent fix is, but so far I haven't found anything.

This is a common problem on Tacoma's. Especially the ones with very large
tires and or driven off road. I believe the power steering pump gets very
hot. Plus the high pressure in the system causes the seal to leak. A lot of
people use synthetic transmission fluid in the power steering pumps. Some
have added small coolers to help keep the fluid cool. A rebuild kit is less
than $30. Here is a site you can find more information
www.tacomaterritory.com

BBTaco

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ASEmaster - 29 Nov 2005 23:12 GMT

Odd though, my truck's never been off road and the tires are the stock
size. In fact, the whole truck is completely stock. In general, I've
maintained the vehicle very well. Why then would it wear out 3 power
steering pumps in 63,000 miles? I heard from the dealership today,
they're going to replace the pump once more with a new one under my
extended warranty. No explaination was offered as to why it failed.

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ASEmaster

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Doug Kanter - 30 Nov 2005 03:37 GMT

> Odd though, my truck's never been off road and the tires are the stock
> size. In fact, the whole truck is completely stock. In general, I've
> maintained the vehicle very well. Why then would it wear out 3 power
> steering pumps in 63,000 miles? I heard from the dealership today,
> they're going to replace the pump once more with a new one under my
> extended warranty. No explaination was offered as to why it failed.

Maybe the first one to fail was just a lemon, and they've been replacing
them with bad rebuilds?

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MrFixit469 - 30 Nov 2005 07:07 GMT

Try adding a power steering cooler. It's like a small transmission
cooler connected to the return line of the power steering system. For
some reason, many Toyota trucks have a tendancy to overheat the pump,
weakening the pump shaft seal resulting in premature leaks. This has
always worked for me.

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