New steering rack feels 'heavy' - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

jtu100 · 05-08-2007, 08:59 PM

I just had a 'new' reconditioned steering rack fitted. (Apparently it was the 'jap' rack not the 'trw' one.)

Anyway it's working fine... the only thing is the steering feels a lot 'heavier' during the first few turns than it used to. Admittedly the racks ends were worn out on the old rack hence why the wheel used to move easily in the center (it wasnt turning the wheels!) but ignoring that, the power steering seemed to have more power... i.e. it was assisting me more. Once I am into a sharper turn on the new rack there seems to be plenty of power... only when its a shallow turn does the steering feel heavier.

Any ideas what could cause this?

I was wondering if maybe the guy has used the wrong power steering fluid - not dexron II.

***HomeGrown*** · 05-08-2007, 09:08 PM

It could be what you're feeling is what the car felt like when new. The heavier "shallow turn" feel may be engineered in to help reduce unintentional wandering and facilitate straight tracking. This seems as though it would be a favorable characteristic.

I could also be way off-base, too.

Tommy · 05-08-2007, 10:15 PM

they havent made dextronII for years. Dextron III is the replacement and is compatible with II systems.

Its gonna feel a lot different than an old worn out system. was the power steering pump replaced?

jtu100 · 05-08-2007, 10:23 PM

No the pump was not replaced, but the guy said he would check it when he replaced the rack. He didnt say anything was wrong so im assuming the pump is still ok.

HomeGrown, you are probably right of course - this maybe what the car felt like when it was born! I just took it for another safety check (it passed!) and the guy said "Ah the steering feels much better"... so maybe its just normal and I'm not used to it.

Yes Dexron III i meant

Tommy · 05-08-2007, 11:05 PM

DextronIII ATF fluid is whats used in the power steering. on the couple of gen2's ive owned and driven, the steering was always very light and quick. one of my favorite things about the car was how easliy the wheels moved, id never describe one as heavy. If anything, i would think the old rack would have been heavy and this one would feel like nothing. perhaps the system has some air bubbles in it, or the ps belt is too tight.