How to Change the Power Steering Pump on a '99 Toyota 4Runner

The initial release of the 4Runner in 1985 was little more than a Toyota pickup with a fiberglass cap installed over the bed. Throughout its lifespan, Toyota refined the 4Runner into a direct competitor of the other sub-luxury SUVs on the market. The 1999 4Runner came standard with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that it shared with the Tacoma pickup. Also standard on the 1999 4Runner was power steering, which uses a hydraulic power steering pump to create the hydraulic pressure needed to ease the task of turning the wheels. Replacing the power steering pump on the base-level 1999 4Runner is a simple task, but you must bleed the power steering system after installing the new pump.

Instructions

Removal

1

Open the power steering fluid cap and siphon out as much fluid as you can, using a clean turkey baster. Transfer this fluid to a sealable container and seal the container.

2

Find the power steering belts adjuster puller on the top passengers side of the belt system. Loosen the bolt in the center of the pulley with a ratchet and socket, then loosen the adjuster pulleys adjuster bolt the bolt on the pulleys bracket.

3

Draw the routing of the power steering belt on a piece of paper and pull the belt from the engine compartment. Inspect the belt for any defects, including cracks, splits, missing rubber on the grooved side, or fraying. If any defects exist, replace the belt with a new one.

4

Position a drain pan under the truck, under the power steering pump.

5

Hold the power steering pressure hose union fitting on the power steering pump with a 24 mm open-end wrench and remove the power steering pressure hose union bolt with a ratchet and socket. Pull the pressure hose and its gasket from the power steering pump.

6

Slide the hose clamp on the end of the return hose up the hose about three inches, using slip-joint pliers, and pull the return hose from the power steering pump.

7

Remove the two bolts securing the power steering pump to its bracket, using a ratchet and socket, and pull the power steering pump from the engine compartment.

Installation

8

Guide the new power steering pump into the engine compartment and onto its bracket. Hand-thread the two power steering pump bolts, then tighten them to 29 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.

9

Connect the return hose to the inlet on the power steering pump and slide the hose clamp to within a half-inch of the end of the return hose.

10

Slide a new gasket, which comes with the new pump, into place on the fitting on the end of the pressure hose. Align the pressure hoses inlet hole with the outlet on the power steering pump and hand-thread the pressure hoses retaining bolt. Verify that the metal stopper on the pressure hose is contacting the body of the power steering pump, then torque the union bolt to 34 foot-pounds as you hold the union fitting on the power steering pump with a 24 mm open-end wrench.

11

Route the drive belt over the pulleys, using your drawing of the belts routing as your guide. Tighten the power steering belt adjuster pulleys adjuster bolt with a ratchet and socket until you measure 135 to 180 pounds of tension on a new belt or 85 to 120 pounds of tension on the old belt, using a belt tension gauge.

Filling and Bleeding the Power Steering System

12

Open the power steering fluid cap and add Dexron II or III fluid in quarter-quart increments until the fluid level reaches the Cold range on the power steering fluid dipstick.

13

Lift the front of the 4Runner with a floor jack and slide jack stands under the SUVs frame rails. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.

14

Turn the wheel left and right from lock to lock with the engine off to circulate fluid through the pump and steering system.

15

Raise the 4Runner off the jack stands and remove the stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Start the engine and allow it to idle for about five minutes.

16

Turn the steering wheel to the right until you reach its lock and hold it there for about three seconds. Turn the wheel to the left until you reach the lock and hold it there for about three seconds. Repeat this step twice.

17

Shut the engine off.

18

Open the power steering fluid cap and check the fluid for any foam or bubbles. If either foam are bubble are present, repeat steps 2 through 6. If there is still foam or bubbles after performing the bleeding procedure twice, there is a leak in the power steering system. Repair the leak and repeat the bleeding procedure.

19

Verify that the fluid level is within the Hot range of the power steering fluid dipstick. Add more Dexron II or III fluid, as needed.

20

Take any old fluid to a used automotive fluid recycler. Some auto parts stores take old fluids free of charge.