Steeing Problems/Tranny Fluid... - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

CamryWagon301 · 02-21-2008, 07:03 PM

I have a camry wagon with 200,000 miles on it. When I make turn the steering wheel either a hard left or right, the steering wheel makes a vibrating motion. It usually happens when I make a quick u-turn. Other than than that-it steers well. Could this be a power steering rack issues? Regarding the transmission, should i have it flushed or just drained. Just concerned that if I flush it, it may ruin transmission since it has 200,000. My brother had the car before me and he did not take good care of it but the fluid is not black.

mvftw · 02-22-2008, 08:05 AM

Same problem with the hard steering only when cold. Get a turkey baster and remove the fluid from the P/S reservoir. Replace with Dextron III tranny fluid. Drive it for half a day, then do it again. You repeat this for 3 or 4 times. It will help. If you have a leak then use Lucas P/S fluid as your last fill.
I would Not replace the tranny fluid if it has Not been changed before. Leave it. Just make sure that the fluid is up to leave & don't forget to check the diff. fluid.

Kep · 02-22-2008, 09:52 AM

I like the brake fluid technique that mvftw uses. I also applied a similar technique to my 1990 Camry's transmission. I would NOT flush the transmission in this instance.

I let my 1990 go 100,000 miles without changing the transmission fluid (my bad). I noticed some issues with moving from a stop in the parking lot so I was thinking a new tranny. However, I decided to try introducing a little new fluid at a time. The 1990 transmission held 12 quarts (!) (my 95 only holds about 5). When I drained the pan I got 2 quarts out. So, over the next 6 months I put in about 24 quarts. I figured that about replaced all 12 quarts. It seemed to work. I got another 100k out of her before I was T-boned (

). As a back-up I kept my old fluid on the off chance that I might be able to add it back if the new fluid caused slippage (something about the particles in the old fluid help to seal leaks inside the tranny).

For yours, I might consider replacing 1 quart (or even 1/2 quart) at a time once a week for a couple of months. They make hand pumps whose hoses can fit down the transmission dip stick to remove a little at a time rather than try to do it through the pan drain. There are also additives to add to old fluid that supposedly refresh it or additives that rejuvenate rubber seals. You may want to investigate those.

The standard response for a transmission that has been allowed to go without fluid changes for over 100,000 miles is to just keep using the old fluid and leave it alone. I just never seem to be able to leave my car alone...

Kep

DFBonnett · 02-23-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamryWagon301

When I make turn the steering wheel either a hard left or right, the steering wheel makes a vibrating motion.

Regarding the transmission, should i have it flushed or just drained.

Check the PS belt tension/condition. The belt might just be loose or glazed.

In your place I'd just drain and refill the trans at each oil change until you are satisfied with the color. Pick up a few trans plug gaskets at the dealer. Torque to 36 lbs/ft when reinstalling the plug.
Flushing is OK but after 200K those lines on the rad may be stubborn and if one breaks you'll have a real problem. There is a common misconception about this issue of flushing. Old fluid does not contaminate the new. New fluid refreshes the old.
FWIW
YMMV

dc_98_cam · 02-23-2008, 01:32 PM

There is a significant amount of sludge that collects in the bottom of the transmission pan. I guess it is mostly friction plate material ...If you remove the pan on the first fluid change, and clean all the sludge out with some sort of solvent, you will be much better off. After the first fluid change, drive a while, then just drain and refill ...maybe one or two more times...It is the sludge that causes the problem...and could possibly damage the valve body if it is stirred up by turbulence ...a flush treatment..or something else.
I removed my pan at only 44k total miles ...and there was a lot of sludge ... At 100k or more ...it will only get worse, unless you remove the pan.
There is also a fine screen filter element inside the pan...I didn't see any noticeable debris or particles clogging it...I just rinsed it with solvent and replaced.

CamryWagon301 · 03-03-2008, 06:07 PM

Should I change differntial fluid? When i turn the steeling wheel either all the way to the left of right at a stop, the engine starts to vibrate. Could changing the fluid fix this problem. Car has 200,000 miles and don't know if it has been changed.

Kep · 03-05-2008, 03:19 PM

Differential fluid is in the transmission. It will not cause any steering related difficulties.

Changing the steering fluid might have some effect on this shuddering but it is a stretch. When you turn the wheel to the end of its travel the power steering fluid flows through a relief valve. If the fluid were so dirty that it was affecting the passage of the fluid it might help but I can't conceive of it becoming that dirty. However, the relief valve may be failing somehow and causing an extra load on the engine. I'm not sure how you would test this.

Kep