power steering leaking was quoted for... - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

dpanda88 · 11-28-2007, 02:56 PM

$700 to fix the rod and other crap that needs to be fix to get it 100% back in order. So right now I'm just filling up the fluid every once in a while. Now the question is.. should I fix it up and keep driving it or try to sell it for like $2500-$3500 and maybe HOPEFULLY get another car haha...

dc_98_cam · 11-28-2007, 03:11 PM

I had a slow leak on my power steering .... think it was on the rack someplace.
I added a few ounces of teflon/tune-up trans stop leak fluid to the p/s reservoir.
Now I'm getting a slight oscillation of the steering wheel .... I only notice it occasionally, but I wonder if the stop leak was the cause of this.
... Probably be best to play it safe and just refill the p/s reservoir from time to time.

dpanda88 · 11-28-2007, 03:42 PM

how long do you think this can last haha? It just started the leaking...

I really don't want to pay $700 right now to fix this up.. as I just got 2 new tires and did an alignment which cost me $400. If this can last me for another couple of months that be great..

Kep · 11-28-2007, 04:11 PM

I ran mine with a stop-leak treatment for about 4 years. I still had to fill it up every now and then but probably only about every other month, maybe 1 quart every 7 or 8 months. It depends how much trash is getting onto your rods and damaging the seals.

Kep

Black95Cam · 11-28-2007, 04:20 PM

i've used almost a whole bottle of lucas oil power steering stop leaked and its had stop my from leaking as of right now.

dpanda88 · 11-28-2007, 05:00 PM

so you think this lucas oil power steering could at least stop the leaking from continuing?

wtftoy · 11-28-2007, 05:36 PM

Yeah from what I read, Lucas does wonders to stop the leak.
Power steering leaks seem common on the gen 3-4 camrys, mine just started to at just 87k.

Hajoca · 11-28-2007, 08:18 PM

I would also try the Lucas stop leak, I still think that a leaky car is less polluting than a new one.

What was found to be leaking? if it is rack seals, then use the stop leak, if it is hoses or connections, I would replace / tighten them.

Check Aupro Warden, south of 401.

***toyomoho*** · 11-28-2007, 09:12 PM

Just because a seal is leaking does not mean it will blow out tomorrow. Don’t run out of fluid though as you will damage the pump. If a seal or other part blows along with all your fluid remove the PS drive belt to save the pump, worse case, cut it off with a knife.

dpanda88 · 11-28-2007, 11:18 PM

so far my trusted mechanic says that I will need to replace the hose that connects to the rod of the steering and then the whole rod itself as the pump is starting to leak a bit. Then there are other small parts around the area that is showing a bit of leakage.

so basically... it came down to something like this for the total cost

rod- $255
alignment(it's a must)- $100
labor- $100
Other parts and crap- $100
Total with tax was like $688
Then not including the hose which will have to be bought aftermarket.. was quoted for $100 hopefully if not aftermarket it will cost $600 from manufacture...

Right now I'm considering not fixing up the camry.. I'm planning to trade or sell it and purchase a new car(hopefully). Over the few months to years I have put to much money into this car where I could have paid off the first 5 months of payments towards a new car. I know what a waste. But when bad became worst as of right now.. theres no other choice but to get a new car that will be good to last me 4-5 years or more.

also on a side note.. If i do buy the lucas oil should i just put it right into the power steering fluids? Because I just filled it in with new power steering fluid today...So basically I meant to say is.. can it be mixed together?

J708 · 11-29-2007, 02:57 AM

hey panda, don't lose hope, i had the same problem a year back with my power steering. Mechanic FIXED the leaking for 220 including labor charge. Look around I'm sure you'll find someone offering you alot less. It was gonna cost me 700 bucks to have it replaced.

J708 · 11-29-2007, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpanda88

so far my trusted mechanic says that I will need to replace the hose that connects to the rod of the steering and then the whole rod itself as the pump is starting to leak a bit. Then there are other small parts around the area that is showing a bit of leakage.

so basically... it came down to something like this for the total cost

rod- $255
alignment(it's a must)- $100
labor- $100
Other parts and crap- $100
Total with tax was like $688
Then not including the hose which will have to be bought aftermarket.. was quoted for $100 hopefully if not aftermarket it will cost $600 from manufacture...

Right now I'm considering not fixing up the camry.. I'm planning to trade or sell it and purchase a new car(hopefully). Over the few months to years I have put to much money into this car where I could have paid off the first 5 months of payments towards a new car. I know what a waste. But when bad became worst as of right now.. theres no other choice but to get a new car that will be good to last me 4-5 years or more.

also on a side note.. If i do buy the lucas oil should i just put it right into the power steering fluids? Because I just filled it in with new power steering fluid today...So basically I meant to say is.. can it be mixed together?

Pal, you do have a point. But once a friend told me a piece of advice which i totally agree with. Don't ever buy a brand new car unless you really have to. I know you're not paying little to fix ur 1997. But look at it this way, (assuming you're inlove with your camry, like i am and some of us are here) would u rather pay 300 bucks monthly on a car for 4-5 years. Or would you rather pay 1000 bucks every 50 or 60k (2 years approx.) and have your 1997 for strong. Its a known fact engines of 3rd and 4th gens are solid and run forever. My final advice to u is, only get a new car if ur 110% convinced that its a great car. Don't invest in something for 5 years which u might get bored of or regret in a year.

Hajoca · 11-29-2007, 08:24 AM

You can always suck out some of the fluid in the PS reservoir, then ad the stop leak.

wiccanferret · 11-29-2007, 09:02 AM

I wouldn't buy a new car because of a $700 repair. I also wouldn't pay $700 for that, no matter how much I trusted my mechanic. Definitely get a second opinion.

Black95Cam · 11-29-2007, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpanda88

also on a side note.. If i do buy the lucas oil should i just put it right into the power steering fluids? Because I just filled it in with new power steering fluid today...So basically I meant to say is.. can it be mixed together?

i just poured it right in on top of what i had left in there.