I searched and sifted through many threads, but I couldn't find the answer to my issue. Power steering is weak at low RPM's, it turns fine once I start moving. How do you know which power steering component is failing? Trial and error? I noticed many threads said that the rack needed to be replaced due to worn out seals and severe leaks. I have made sure my PS fluid is good, but the problem still persists. No leaks. No strange noises. How can I tell whether it's my pump or rack? Thanks in advance.
How to identify the culprit behind power steering problems
- Thread starter 89gte
- Start date
89+? Pps plunged in? At any point did you pull the engine out? Another common problem is the screen being clogged.
89+. I have spent the last 6 months doing a full rebuild w. MHG, forged pistons/rods, etc. Car will be going again next week. Problem was occurring before rebuild, but I did not have the finances to secure a new rack during the build (I know it was the best time). If I have to pull it back out if it comes to the rack, it'll have to be done. Would the screen replicate these problems? I'm trying to figure out what kind of circumstances could cause this particular issue. Thanks for the response.
Clean the screen and see what happens from there. Could just be slowing down the flow enough at idle that when you bump up the throttle it picks up the slack.
Non-functional idle up circuit 
It's that little vaccum line that attaches to the bottom of the accordian hose.
It's that little vaccum line that attaches to the bottom of the accordian hose.
Just checking... it is running auto transmission fluid in there, not power steering fluid, right? Power steering fluid does odd things to our system, it's designed for ATF.
GrimJack;1861583 said:
That's the truth. I recently picked up another supra that had power steering fluid in it and the thing sounded like it was ready to grind the bearings. Flushed and filled with ATF and it returned to being smooth and quiet.
You guys were fortunate then. I need a new rack now, thanks to having power steering fluid put in. This ended up happening to all of my Toyotas, in fact.
That little sticker they put on there isnt to make it look pretty -_-
That little sticker they put on there isnt to make it look pretty -_-
I found two plugs under my intake manifold - one coming from power steering, and one on my wiring harness that is not hooked up to anything else. Here is a picture I took, the plugs I mention are circled in red. The plugs will not mate up but the white plug reaches all the way to the gray plug. I do not know all the previous history of my vehicle, but I have reason to believe another 7mgte was swapped in by the previous previous owner. Could the connector from power steering have been from a different year from the engine wiring harness causing it to not mate up properly with my wiring harness pps? I'm not sure of a change in connectors between years. For others who have PPS, do these look like your power steering connectors?
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I can't say for sure that they go together, but maybe when you changed the head gasket you routed the wire harness wrong?
If its hard to turn stopped at idle and is easier when moving or revs up then theres a good chance its the idle up valve or the vacuum lines. There's 2.
http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/TSRM/MK3/manual.aspx?Section=SR&P=2
http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/TSRM/MK3/manual.aspx?Section=SR&P=2