My power steering is making noise, and I’m assuming it’s the pump on my 2008 2.7 Tacoma. I’m considering OEM replacements—I’ve used McGeorge Toyota before.
Here are the links:
Would it be worth trying a flush before changing the pump?
An element of the steering system in your car that makes turning the steering wheel easier is the power steering pump. The power steering fluid’s pressure is produced by a hydraulic pump using engine power. The fluid is then sent to the steering gear via hoses, which serves to increase the force applied to the steering wheel.
Grab a jug of power steering fluid and keep it in your trunk. If you hear strange noises or steering becomes difficult, stop and refill it. Depending on the leak, you may need to refill frequently. Running dry can cause major issues. I drove 30k miles with a leaky pump, topping off regularly.
On a trip, I once drove 9000 km with a leaky servo pump. Simply make sure the trunk has enough oil and check the fluid level each time you stop.
Over time, the fluid might accumulate metallic particles. Flushing a system can be beneficial when installing a new pump or rack, but it is not a required maintenance activity if there is no specific problem to be addressed.