Hello everyone)
There will be a lot of text, if you are not interested in reading but are interested in the result, read the second to last paragraph)
Steering and brakes are the most important things in a car. You can ignore the suspension, forget about the engine, even drive without an interior, as long as the car steers and brakes properly. If I solved the brake issues from last year, the steering problems only got worse.
Just a photo)
It all started somewhere around a year ago when I decided to replace my current reducer with a proper one. After replacing it, everything was fine. But then for some reason I decided to pour in HADU fluid, everyone said it would make the steering softer and overall better. Bought from a reputable store, nice packaging. Followed instructions but problems started... The steering became stiff, the Gura pump began to hum, basically all sorts of issues. In general, cleaned the system and refilled with clean Dexron.
Time passed, and the steering got stiffer and stiffer, especially as the oil warmed up. After long trips it was impossible to turn the wheel; entering a garage became like weightlifting.
A while ago I bought a Gura set for my pink car model, decided to replace the pump thinking maybe it doesn't create enough pressure. Replaced, now steering wouldn’t move at all, even by just a couple of degrees. Had to nudge slightly in order to steer. Thought the pump was bad and returned mine.
Several more months passed and a new issue began. The pump started leaking. At first barely noticeable, but over time I had to refill a liter every week! All oil stayed under the hood. Not a pleasant sight. Various additives that supposedly help seal rings didn’t work at all.
At this point I decided to give up on fixing it myself and handed it over to specialists. They said 'from 100$', but there was no choice, collected money and took my two pumps to them. But then started waiting; promised a diagnosis the same day but even after a week nothing changed. Tired of calling I decided to take back. Naturally had to wait an hour on the street while 'specialists' finally arrived. As it turned out they didn’t even unpack! In short, strongly do not recommend these people
Though they stuffed everywhere with their ads, best not contact them.
Time passed and underhood got more and more covered in oil; I was at a loss what to do. Lately the power steering worked only on cold start, small warmup and that’s it.
So I decided to disassemble the pump and find out what's wrong. Had nothing to lose. The last option was installing reducer without Gura.
Anyway here is the diagram. It can be found atjapancats
The principle of the pump is simple, an eccentric shaft alternately presses 'elongated pistons', which in turn push oil into the central part of the shaft, then pressure goes to the reducer. I don’t know what type it’s called, but it's similar to axially-piston type, same principle just different execution.
So disassembled both pumps. Not hard at all, 6 bolts, remove cover and that’s it.
Next will write OLD and NEW pump, the one that was installed and spare respectively.
In the old pump immediately noticed a strong shaft play, shouldn’t be there, should have been precision fit like in TBNV plunger (micron gap).
Photo shows the fitting area of the shaft; visible is the gap. On the right side there’s supposed to be a clearance and on the left none.
As for the new pump everything looked perfect. No play at all.
Also from photo it’s clear that on the right no gap, which should only exist on the left (since the shaft is eccentric, i.e., off-center).
Good. The new pump without wear. But what about 'pistons'?
Turns out in both pumps a certain percentage of springs broke.
The pump disassembled view
Means when shaft moves away from pistons spring force isn’t enough to push them back, so oil filling isn’t full.
This is how it looks
In two pumps assembled 24 whole springs and inserted into place. Important not to confuse direction of slots; on photo of old pump can be seen how it should go together. These springs can be ordered from exist or simply bought as samples. Such pumps were used for many years in Toyotas, different casings but same internals.
In general decided to put back together. Nothing hard here. Didn’t change seal since on new one still good.
At that moment I was clear how the pump works but had no idea why a certain valve is needed on the casing. Visible on the diagram.
So assembled, installed, doesn’t work at all. Steering immobile. Sighed and went home to think. No ideas about the pump; decided to install rack instead. Got tired of these steering dances, already spent a lot of effort and money here. Agreed with Dima who welded my car (and not only), that he measures what size of rack I need.
On highway was some kind of truck, wanted to overtake it; floor pedal pressed, kickdown engaged, rpm almost 6000... Then a scary noise as from Gura pump but much louder and suddenly steering became soft! Like on new cars, turns with one finger right in place!
Still went to Dima who measured the dimensions. I won't give up idea of rack; this is the future, besides it doesn’t change looks) length needed 54cm exactly.
Now two weeks passed since those events, Gura works even better. Probably all because of a valve on pump which controls pressure and sends it via small circle if too high. Couldn’t disassemble it though, on old pump everything was rusted; can't examine or study it. Moreover to disassemble would require replacing all seals which need to be bought.
Most likely at higher rpms the high pressure finally moved the stuck valve; that’s why pump started working)
So a story ending well and what's especially nice, did everything myself)
P.S. Two days ago a scary situation happened, bolt on steering cardan coupling gear loosened.
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