94 pickup 4x4 3vze.
Purchased new PS pump from Autozone, rebuild. Came with 2 O rings big and small. Used small ring on reservoir, not sure what the big one was for left it out. I have no leaks. Topped off reservoir and started engine for the first time, pump started making noise right away, took a look at it, and poured more fluid and the noise disappeared. Turned wheel side to side topped off fluid again sue to noise, finally turned engine off. And reservoir overfilled. Extracted fluid from reservoir to match correct level, now pump makes noise when accelerating engine rpms. Looked into the reservoir and it appears that the pump is sucking too much fluid through the whirlpool it creates, drawing the level of PS fluid too low. Currently bleeding the PS system with engine off and front raised, and turning the tires. No noted bubbles in reservoir at this point. Defective pump or did I mess up with a bleeding precedure? Help please.

 

You will need to bleed the system with the motor running. I raise the front end off of the ground just to take the pressure off of the steering system and to make it easier to bleed the system. It can several turns from stop to stop to get the air out of the system. If it is still making noise after that I would suspect a faulty pump.

 

The noise the pump makes is identical to a wind up toy car would make if you'd just release the spring tension in wheels without contacting them to the ground. Also just noticed alot of bubbles when accelerating engine rpm

 

Not wanting to ask a dumb question but you are using Automatic Transmission Fluid? Toyota does not use Power Steering Fluid. I have seen people make that mistake.

 

Whelp yes I am, and I had no idea

 

Yes I am using PS fluid btw

 

It may say on the tank to use Dextron 2 and if I am correct, Dextron 2 is no longer available so use Dextron 3 or the newest available.

Supposedly there is like a Dextron 5 or 6 and you don't want to use it as it is for General Motors only or something is different about it. The part store should be able to tell you what is the replacement fluid for you.

 

Looks like I got alot of flushing to do. Thanks for your help I really appreciate it

 

No problem and I think it will fix it when you get the correct fluid in it. Don't worry about getting every drop out of it. If I have a small, minor leak in a power steering system, I had an ounce or two of brake fluid to soften the seals and to stop the leak. Never caused a problem so with some residue of the Power Steering Fluid in it I am sure it wont hurt.

 

Shouldnt be a "whirlpool" in the reservoir. Sounds like a bad pressure regulator in the pump.