need some advice - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

hqfking · 01-07-2008, 04:33 PM

my car is 98 Camry LE.
During these days, when I turned the wheel to the left after starting the car in the morning, I felt a little bit hard to turn the wheel. After a few minutes, it works fine.

Could anyone give me some advice that what the problem may be?

Thanks a lot!!

Quicksilver300 · 01-07-2008, 05:55 PM

Is it cold where you are? Mine does this once and a while, I believe it is just the belt slipping. I just rev the motor once or twice, nothing crazy, but it usually gets the steering pump turning.

Mike Gerber · 01-07-2008, 09:49 PM

I agree with Quicksilver300. This is usually caused by a slightly loose power steering belt. As the "cold" belt runs over the pulleys, it expands just a bit from the friction it is subjected to. The belt then grabs the pulleys a bit tighter and the steering returns to normal. Check the power steering belt tension and tighten it if necessary.

Mike

hqfking · 01-08-2008, 09:38 AM

Thank you guys a lot!

binkyjoe · 01-19-2008, 11:52 AM

Can anyone refer me to info on installing a new power steering belt? My wife was driving around last night and the thing snapped - it's gone.

binkyjoe · 01-19-2008, 02:43 PM

Okay, I poked around some more, and found enough info to realize that I can probably get the power steering belt on... but I also see now that the ac/alternator belt is also gone (dang).

Two questions:
1. Can I drive this car to the auto parts store with neither of these belts in place?
2. Any help/instructions/pics for installing new belts would be amazingly helpful... anyone?

Mike Gerber · 01-19-2008, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by binkyjoe

Okay, I poked around some more, and found enough info to realize that I can probably get the power steering belt on... but I also see now that the ac/alternator belt is also gone (dang).

Two questions:
1. Can I drive this car to the auto parts store with neither of these belts in place?
2. Any help/instructions/pics for installing new belts would be amazingly helpful... anyone?

1. No. This is not advisable.
2. Check the Toyota factory service manuals stickied at the top of this forum for your generation. If it's not working, check your local library. Many local libraries carry Haynes and Chilton manuals.

Mike

binkyjoe · 01-19-2008, 03:10 PM

Thanks, Mike. I was able to get to the auto parts store (friend's car) and get a new ps belt, but I didn't realize until now that I needed a drive belt, too.

I'll probably see if I can get that one on, and then get to the further store (close one's closed... I live in a tiny town, which sucks) for the drive belt.

I guess what I really want to know is, how hard is it to get a new belt on? Anything I need to know, re: tensioning or anything?

(btw, I've replaced my brake pads on the front, and I'm fluent w/ oil changes and stuff, but belts are a new one for me...)

Later...

I tried getting the ps belt on - no way. Partly because there's snow all over the ground and my hands are freezing, and partly because I have no idea what I'm doing... I've looked in the Toyota manuals (downloaded from this site), but I'm not seeing much help in there.

It may be "off to the mechanic" tomorrow (or Monday), unless anyone can help (or point me to the right place) to understand how to get these belts on. (and thanks, to anyone brave enough to venture!)