Just bought a 03 4runner V6 SR5 two weeks ago w/ 107K. Test drove fine, everything checks out and the truck was driving really well in all conditions. 4H and 4L shift in and out smoothly. Have been doing a little towing but mostly just daily driving up to this point. My power steering has dead spots when driving, i.e. it feels as though the power steering works and then fails intermittently with a jerky sensation as I am driving. I checked the reservoir and levels are all fine but noticed that there were some very fine metal flakes around the res cap. Is my power steering pump shot or is this a simple matter of flushing the power steering system and replacing the fluid? Any suggestions/advice would be very helpful!

Thanks in advance

 

i have no idea honestly. which is spanish for "bump".

hopefully somebody will help you out

 

If there is metal in the fluid, be ready for the worst case. You may need to replace the whole system. You could try replacing the pump and flushing the system, but If there is metal it may have comprimised the steering rack as well. Either way you will be flushing the fluid.

 

Is the belt tight enough? No harm in flushing the fluid, it sounds like it needs it anyway.