OEM 2003 Toyota Tacoma Power Steering Pump

2003 Toyota Tacoma Power Steering Pump Parts Q&A

• Q: How to service and repair the power steering pump on 2003 Toyota Tacoma?

  A: A proper power steering pump service requires checking the PS vane pump rotating torque which must rotate without noise while staying below 0.28 Nm torque (2.8 kgf-cm, 2.4 inch lbs.) level. Start by removing the oil reservoir through bolt removal of 3 pieces and the O-ring extraction. The service requires removal of the pressure port union together with its flow control valve and spring and associated O-ring from this union. The procedure to separate the housing includes removing these two bolts yet application of a plastic hammer on the housing serves to dislodge the wave washer and side plate when they are stuck. Using caution, detach the plate from your hands while removing the housing O-rings as well as the wave washer, side plate, gasket, cam ring, ten vane plates, and vane pump rotor. Obtain the vane pump shaft which contains both the vane pump pulley and the 2 straight pins from the front housing. The standard oil clearance measurement for the vane pump shaft and bushing should be performed using a micrometer and caliper gauge to check values within 0.03 - 0.05 mm (0.0012 - 0.0020 inch). Maximum allowable clearance does not go beyond 0.07 mm (0.0028 inch). Check the vane pump rotor and vane plates for height and thickness and length which must not be lower than 8.6 mm (0.339 inch), 1.397 mm (0.0550 inch) and 14.991 mm (0.5902 inch) respectively. Examine the clearance distance between the rotor groove and plate through measurement to maintain less than 0.035 mm (0.0014 inch) separation. The flow control valve needs to be coated with power steering fluid before checking its movement into the valve hole while compressed air should be applied at the pressure range of 392 - 490 kPa (4 - 5 kgf/cm2, 57 - 71 psi) to detect any leakage. Check the free length of the spring using vernier calipers because it should be longer than 33.2 mm (1.307 inch). To replace the oil seal first use a screwdriver with vinyl tape to remove it carefully and then apply power steering fluid to a new oil seal lip before pressing it into place using Special Service Tool: 09950-60010 (09951-00330), 09950-70010 (09951-07100) while maintaining correct orientation. Apply power steering fluid according to the marked arrows and then install the vane pump shaft together with the vane pump pulley before driving two new straight pins using a plastic hammer. After installation of the cam ring with facing inscribed side outward the rotor follows with its mark showing outward you will secure it using a new snap ring. Place 10 vane plates on the front housing with the round side facing outside and with a latest gasket installed while maintaining proper gasket placement. Fit the grey side plate to the holes and straight pins before placing the wave washer into its alignment with the side plate slots. Install two new O-rings which received power steering fluid coating before placing them inside the rear housing followed by tightening two bolts to 24 Nm (240 kgf-cm, 17 ft. lbs.). Place the spring together with the flow control valve and pressure port union with special attention to valve orientation while coating the O-ring with power steering fluid. Secure the pressure port union by torquing it to 83 Nm (850 kgf-cm, 61 ft. lbs.). The last step involves applying power steering fluid to a fresh O-ring then installing it to the oil reservoir through its 3 bolts with the written torque specifications indicating a front side bolt requirement of 13 Nm (130 kgf-cm, 9 ft. lbs.) while the rear side bolts need 24 Nm (240 kgf-cm, 17 ft. lbs.). The last step requires a measurement of the PS vane pump rotating torque.