2004 Highlander power steering help - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

dss56 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-26-2008, 05:53 PM

Wifes car is starting to get hard to steer in the morning or when the car sits over night. When she tries to move in the morning the wheel is sticking not moving easily/hard steering. It will do this until it warms up or she revs the engine up. Just a fast minutes worth and car is good for the day. Would this be the start of the power steering pump going or the rack n pinion going? I know its hard to answer but I'm leaning towards the power steering pump. Is the power steering pump hard to change considering its way down on the bottom firewall side? Any suggestions? Thanks.

wirelessf · #2 (**permalink**) 10-26-2008, 07:01 PM

The fan belt/serpetine belt must be slipping. How many miles is on the car and when is the last time the belt has been changed?

dss56 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-26-2008, 08:03 PM

There is 93 k on the car. I just went out and looked and the belt is slipping. Guess I will have to have a new belt put on. Looks like its the inner belt so the serpentine belt has to come off first. Is it a hard job to change the belt? That pump in in a bad place to change a belt.

thanks for the reply

ferret · #4 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008, 08:34 AM

Here's a link to the edmunds board where a guy documented his recent 2004 3.3L timing belt replacement. It leads to pictures on Snapfish. Registration there is free to see them.

I have done a 3.0 and 3.3 ...... If you are mechanically inclined, it takes time. If not, I would not recommend doing it yourself.

Toyota Highlander Maintenance and Repair - CarSpace Automotive Forums

dss56 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008, 11:09 AM

Sorry the car is a 2003 Highlander and it has 2 belts the serpentine and the belt for the power steering. I did notice the belt slipping when she starts up in the morning. It last for about 2 minutes with the hard steering and belt slipping. When is warms up its fine for the day. Maybe when the belt gets hot it stops slipping. So I wondering when we had the timing belt replaced in the summer the dealer did not tighten the power steering belt. Is there an adjustment on the pump to tighten the belt. I got a price from a local mechanic for $85 to replace the belt. The belt is behind the serpentine so that has to be removed first and then the power steering belt. I am mechanically inclined but I have a bad shoulder and the pump is down low underneath the car. Seems like you need it on a lift to get a good look at the pump.

ddvk · #6 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008, 11:22 AM

Based on ur responses it makes we wonder were the belts replaced ever. If not it is overdue, pay to $80 and get both the belts replaced.