1st & 2nd Generation (1983–1986 & 1987-1991)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1983-1986 & 1987-1991.
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My girlfriend has a 1991 camry 4 cyl. with 140,000 miles on it. The car recently developed a stiff steering problem. I checked the fluid level and realised it had the (standard) clear power steering fluid in it instead of auto tranny fluid like the Camry owners manual recomends. She bought this car abou t 7 months and the power steering was fine up until now.
Would the wrong type of fluid cause this stiff steering problem even though it has been ok for about 7 months (maybe more) with the wrong fluid?
How do I go about flushing the clear fluid out so I can put in the correct Dexron 3 auto tranny fluid?
Do you think any permanent damage has been done to the power steering system as a result of the wrong fluid?
Just take off the return hose at the reservoir and turn the wheel. Start the car (with the front wheels off the ground) and turn the wheel from lock to lock. While old fluid is draining into a bucket, pour in new fluid simultaneously.
Keep doing that until red Dex 3 comes through. Once it does, turn the car off and put the hose back in. Once the hose is on, start it up again, let it idle and check the level, you can turn the wheel too just to make sure.
If it's still stiff, then check the universal joint. It's most probably seized.
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Camry history:
1990 Camry CS 5spd - Now scrap metal
1994 Camry Executive A/T - Burnt to a crisp.
1995 Camry Vienta Csi A/T - Still running
1999 Camry Touring 5 spd - Current
The normal power steering fluid should cause no damage at all. In fact, my car ran it for 60,000 miles until I replaced it with transmission stop leak. You may just be a case of a worn out power steering pump or rack and pinion. Also, are there any leaks in your system? Does it make a loud noise while steering?
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2009 Toyota Venza V6 FWD
1991 Toyota Camry V6 LE
1987 Toyota Camry LE
1989 Toyota Camry Base (Retired)
1993 Ford F-350 XLT 4WD Lifted
Just take off the return hose at the reservoir and turn the wheel. Start the car (with the front wheels off the ground) and turn the wheel from lock to lock. While old fluid is draining into a bucket, pour in new fluid simultaneously.
Keep doing that until red Dex 3 comes through. Once it does, turn the car off and put the hose back in. Once the hose is on, start it up again, let it idle and check the level, you can turn the wheel too just to make sure.
If it's still stiff, then check the universal joint. It's most probably seized.
Thanks for the info on the flush. I'll get that done and see if it makes any difference. I'll check out the universal joint also.
The normal power steering fluid should cause no damage at all. In fact, my car ran it for 60,000 miles until I replaced it with transmission stop leak. You may just be a case of a worn out power steering pump or rack and pinion. Also, are there any leaks in your system? Does it make a loud noise while steering?
Thanks for the info,
No leaks in the power steering system. No loud noises when I turn the steering wheel.
Just curious what type of transmission stop leak you used in your Camrys power steering system? I used lucas power steering stop leak additive in my Camrys power steering system around 4 years ago when It was leaking and that did the trick.
No leaks in the power steering system. No loud noises when I turn the steering wheel.
Just curious what type of transmission stop leak you used in your Camrys power steering system? I used lucas power steering stop leak additive in my Camrys power steering system around 4 years ago when It was leaking and that did the trick.
JOET/CAMRY
I used Gold Eagle Transmission Stop Leak, it's good stuff. I tried the Lucas before, but the leak was just too big (crappy aftermarket rack and pinion).
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2009 Toyota Venza V6 FWD
1991 Toyota Camry V6 LE
1987 Toyota Camry LE
1989 Toyota Camry Base (Retired)
1993 Ford F-350 XLT 4WD Lifted
Yes, the belt is still there and tight. That was the second thing I checked.
Quote:
Is there any uneven spots in the resistance, or is it the same (easier the faster you go though...)?
It seams like the resistance is the same from lock to lock. The speed I turn the steering wheel doesn't seem to change the resistance. Will flush out the power steering system in the near future and will post the results.
Yes, the belt is still there and tight. That was the second thing I checked.
It seams like the resistance is the same from lock to lock. The speed I turn the steering wheel doesn't seem to change the resistance. Will flush out the power steering system in the near future and will post the results.
JOET/CAMRY
By fast Charlie meant driving speed, not how fast you turn the wheel lol. If it gets easier the faster the car goes, it probably means your pump is dying (was the case when i lost all my fluid and was running dry).
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Camry history:
1990 Camry CS 5spd - Now scrap metal
1994 Camry Executive A/T - Burnt to a crisp.
1995 Camry Vienta Csi A/T - Still running
1999 Camry Touring 5 spd - Current
look at the universal joint on the end of the steering shaft at the rack input.Give it a few squirts of oil and maybe a wack and see if that helps, seems to happen a lot from what I read when it happen to me
Is there any uneven spots in the resistance, or is it the same (easier the faster you go though...)?
-Charlie
I flushed out the (clear) power steering fluid and replaced it with the proper Dexron 3 tranny fluid. The steering now seems to turn easy then hard every half a turn of the steering wheel. Does this mean the steering rack is shot?
look at the universal joint on the end of the steering shaft at the rack input.Give it a few squirts of oil and maybe a wack and see if that helps, seems to happen a lot from what I read when it happen to me
Is this a common problem in a second generation Camry? Are they supposed to be oiled every now and then?
Sounds like you might have a seized universal joint. Easiest way to tell is to take it out. Jack up the car, mark the universal joint so that you can put it on in the same layout and undo the two 10mm pinch bolts. You have to slide it further up the steering shaft to get it clear of the pinion. Move the joint in all directions to see if it's free.
__________________
Camry history:
1990 Camry CS 5spd - Now scrap metal
1994 Camry Executive A/T - Burnt to a crisp.
1995 Camry Vienta Csi A/T - Still running
1999 Camry Touring 5 spd - Current
I flushed out the (clear) power steering fluid and replaced it with the proper Dexron 3 tranny fluid. The steering now seems to turn easy then hard every half a turn of the steering wheel. Does this mean the steering rack is shot?
JOET/CAMRY
Update.....
It has been approx. 2 weeks since I flushed the wrong power steering fluid out and replaced it with the proper dexron 3 tranny fluid. On May 8th. I drove the car and the steering is back to normal. Hopefully it stays this way.
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She bought this car abou t 7 months and the power steering was fine up until now. 
Will flush out the power steering system in the near future and will post the results. 
Does this mean the steering rack is shot? 
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