just purchased 87 camry!!

[unfkwthabl]

now i need some advice/tips to fix it up i've searched everything and everywhere on this site and i seem to be late on gettin a workin link for a repair manual so with that, my camrys problems, which i should've checked before i bought it, are as follows:
- steering feels like i dont have power steering
- front suspension noisy especially the passenger side
- theres a leak but not sure if its oil, or power steering (maybe why it feels like i dont have power steering?), or from suspension? waiting for dry weather to check it out

some questions...
- is it possible to convert manual locks and windows to power?
- how do i remove windshield wiper arm assembly?
- where can i dl a pdf repair manual?

anything helps thanks

cant wait to get her looking and runnin like a classic like she oughta be

[AOE]

i wanna know if that power locks is possible also,

for the wiper arms there is a nut on them, open the hood and undo that then they come up, i had to repaint mine as they were a lil rusted when i got it so i sanded and painted.

and you wont be able to get the repair manual here as that is against the rules but try to go to kragens and see if they will let you peep into an open one, its what i did.

[unfkwthabl]

from what i hear power windows/lock conversion is possible, you will need door panels, window actuators, the control unit and wire harnesses and i think thats it but dont quote me i am planning to attempt this as soon as it stops raining here in CA and only the front 2 doors

with the wiper arm assembly, tried taking out the one 12mm nut on each one and pulling them off but was stuck i thought there might be more to removing them haha

thanks for the info

[white90dx]

Power locks are easy to add aftermarket using an alarm and some aftermarket actuators.

Power windows can also be added, but is more difficult. Using factory parts would probably be more difficult than aftermarket, actually. I'd avoid going down that path if you can avoid it.

Front suspension noise is most likely front swaybar to control arm bushings (creaking/groaning). You can get complete front control arms loaded with bushings and ball joints for fairly cheap online (eBay). If it more of a 'knocking' noise, it might also be strut tops or struts.

Check for a power steering fluid resivoir on the left side of the engine bay to see if you have power steering. If you hear a 'mooing' type noise when you turn the wheel, the pump is running without fluid and you will need to add some ASAP (use Dexron III ATF). A leaking high pressure hose is likely the cause of the leak if you do have power steering.

-Charlie

[unfkwthabl]

Originally Posted by white90dx

Power locks are easy to add aftermarket using an alarm and some aftermarket actuators.

Power windows can also be added, but is more difficult. Using factory parts would probably be more difficult than aftermarket, actually. I'd avoid going down that path if you can avoid it.

Front suspension noise is most likely front swaybar to control arm bushings (creaking/groaning). You can get complete front control arms loaded with bushings and ball joints for fairly cheap online (eBay). If it more of a 'knocking' noise, it might also be strut tops or struts.

Check for a power steering fluid resivoir on the left side of the engine bay to see if you have power steering. If you hear a 'mooing' type noise when you turn the wheel, the pump is running without fluid and you will need to add some ASAP (use Dexron III ATF). A leaking high pressure hose is likely the cause of the leak if you do have power steering.

-Charlie

holy bologna thats alot of useful info thanks man

well i already pulled panels off doors and i was thinking of doing the conversion locks/windows with factory parts from pick n pull only thing im still unclear of is how or where wiring harnesses from control unit is connected ...

as for the suspension, creaking and groaning is actually the sounds im hearing hope its not expensive job to do

and power steering, i havent heard any weird noises, i do have a reservoir and it is filled, pump is out of commission maybe?

thanks again for the assistance

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by unfkwthabl

and power steering, i havent heard any weird noises, i do have a reservoir and it is filled, pump is out of commission maybe?

thanks again for the assistance

Can you describe better how the steering feels? Is it just difficult all the time, does it change with road speed or engine speed? Is it uneven as you turn the wheel (difficult spots)?

-Charlie

[nopain00]

Originally Posted by unfkwthabl

from what i hear power windows/lock conversion is possible, you will need door panels, window actuators, the control unit and wire harnesses and i think thats it but dont quote me i am planning to attempt this as soon as it stops raining here in CA and only the front 2 doors

with the wiper arm assembly, tried taking out the one 12mm nut on each one and pulling them off but was stuck i thought there might be more to removing them haha

thanks for the info

For the wiper arms, if they are stuck after removing the bolt, try rotating them gently back and forth to break them loose. If you fold them at the pivot point, it's sometimes easier to pull them off.

[unfkwthabl]

Originally Posted by white90dx

Can you describe better how the steering feels? Is it just difficult all the time, does it change with road speed or engine speed? Is it uneven as you turn the wheel (difficult spots)?

-Charlie

there's no difficult spots it feels slightly diffcult all the time maybe am too accustomed to my 98 RL and not used to classic cars but there are squeaks from steering column?

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by unfkwthabl

there's no difficult spots it feels slightly diffcult all the time maybe am too accustomed to my 98 RL and not used to classic cars but there are squeaks from steering column?

The steering effort is probably slightly higher than a mid-late 90's luxury car - squeaks are not normal though. Do you have a tilt column? If so, maybe that is causing the squeak.

Oh, and I wouldn't quite call this car a classic yet... maybe in a few more years?

-Charlie