Steering/ turning issue in my 96

[Grayguy]

Ok, so over the last few days my car has developed a few issuse:

1. The power steering seems to be going out. While I'm turning the wheel, it gets harder and than softer and than harder etc. If you know what I mean. I checked the PowerSteering fluid, and I tried to bleed the system as best I could, but it still does it. Is my pump shot?

2. When ever I turn, while applying power to the wheels, the front end pops/clicks/clunks. When i go right, the Driver side does it most noticably, and when I go left, the Passenger side does it more noticably. So Anybody have any ideas? I thought at first I was just rubbing the tires on something, but it only does it when I'm on the gas, when i am coasting, it is fine.

[renmike]

Originally Posted by Grayguy

Ok, so over the last few days my car has developed a few issuse:

1. The power steering seems to be going out. While I'm turning the wheel, it gets harder and than softer and than harder etc. If you know what I mean. I checked the PowerSteering fluid, and I tried to bleed the system as best I could, but it still does it. Is my pump shot?

2. When ever I turn, while applying power to the wheels, the front end pops/clicks/clunks. When i go right, the Driver side does it most noticably, and when I go left, the Passenger side does it more noticably. So Anybody have any ideas? I thought at first I was just rubbing the tires on something, but it only does it when I'm on the gas, when i am coasting, it is fine.

1) I'm not very sure about the Toyo's power steering pumps, but it might be a valve restiction issue in either the pump or the steering rack. I'd get a junkyard pwr steering up and swap out and see if it changes.

2) If it only happens while turning, my first thought would be the cv axles are crapping out on you. Have they ever been replaced?

Also, do a visual/physical check of your suspention. I was having problems on my passenger side just sounding/acting funny. I was doing some work on it last weekend and happened to need to take that tire off and noticed how wobbily the wheel was when attached. I took the tire off and wiggled the hub and noticed that the tie rod end was very loose, like it was coming apart. Replaced that last night, now it feels much smoother.

[Grayguy]

My first guess for issue #2 was CV shafts. They have never been replaced, and the car has 195k on it now. What would that cost, because between these 2 issues, and the fact that my 5spd is going, if the cost to fix this stuff is more than $500-1000. the car's not getting fixed.

[renmike]

You should be able to pick up the axles for about 70 bucks each after the core charge (30-40 bucks each). I would try to pick up a junkyard ps pump if you can get one pretty cheap and at least that'll let you know what part of the steering you might have a problem with.

As for the 5-spd, what's it doing?

[Grayguy]

5 speed grinds into 4th gear. I put synchromesh in it, and that kinda helps. I'm going to my mechanic now to ask what the steering/ cv's will cost. This car has served me well the last 3.5 years, but it's to the point where I don't want to put money into it. I'm thinking it's going to be retired to my Pizza Delivery Beater and driven into the ground...we'll see

[Grayguy]

Update:

My mechanic basically said it wouldn't be worth it. If i found the junk yard parts, I could do it myself and it would probably be ok for a little while, but chances are anything in the junkyard is gonna crap out soon anyway, that's why it's there. And for all new parts, it's quite a bit. But, he says safety wise, I can drive the car until the CV's make noise all the time. So, that's what's going to happen. I'm gonna start looking for it's replacement now, and drive my camry into the ground.

[paintedtrain]

my camry has a steering problem too. funny you should metion it because today i was accelerating around a turn and i felt a bump or slip or something. and the steering always screeches when i start it up in the morning. but im gonna dump the camry off on my sister and hopefully get another car haha.

[renmike]

Originally Posted by Grayguy

Update:

My mechanic basically said it wouldn't be worth it. If i found the junk yard parts, I could do it myself and it would probably be ok for a little while, but chances are anything in the junkyard is gonna crap out soon anyway, that's why it's there. And for all new parts, it's quite a bit. But, he says safety wise, I can drive the car until the CV's make noise all the time. So, that's what's going to happen. I'm gonna start looking for it's replacement now, and drive my camry into the ground.

I completely understand. It all depends what you can afford/what you're willing to spend on it. And as for the steering pump, I just suggested it so that you didn't go out spend 100+ bucks on a new pump and then you still had your problem. If you could get a pump for 20 bucks and found out it wasn't the pump giving you trouble, then you saved yourself trying to buy two new things when you only needed one.

But i'm rambling now, lol. Hope you can get at least a few more miles out of the Camry, good luck.

[Grayguy]

Yeah, My mechanic said it could die tommorow, or in 6 months. so only time will tell.

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by paintedtrain

my camry has a steering problem too. funny you should metion it because today i was accelerating around a turn and i felt a bump or slip or something. and the steering always screeches when i start it up in the morning. but im gonna dump the camry off on my sister and hopefully get another car haha.

Your problem sounds like it's just a loose power steering belt. That's the screech you hear when you first start it up. As the belt runs over the pulleys for a minute or 2, it creates some heat. That heat expands the belt a bit making it grab the pulleys a bit tighter and hence no more squeak. Check it yourself or have someone check it for you.

Mike