Steering Issue

[slarson86]

I have a 1996 Toyota Camry LE with 74,000 miles and just recently I noticed that my steering has been a little off. What I mean by off is that the steering is stiff, but only at different points. For example, when I turn the wheel the stiffness will happen every 10-20 degrees of the turn. I just recently had the left front wheel replaced and the driver side axle replaced to pass inspection and I began to notice the steering problems after that, but I don't want to necessarily say it began with those changes.

A few diagnostic things I checked:
Fluid is fine, no leaks on floor, when I jack up the car and the pressure is off the tires/suspension there is no difficulty in turning the wheel while the engine is on or off.

I checked around the web and I really haven't found any answers to what it could be.

Thanks,
Shane

[frenum49]

I would suspect a power steering issue first. However, I think I would take the vehicle back to the garage that changed the axle and just have them give it a once over. Tell them what is happening. There is no need to remove the outer tie-rod from the spindle to pull the axle but they may have left the axle bolt loose, pinched a power steering line or something of that nature. Unlikely but makes sense to start there.

[Jesse93]

In December last year I was having the same problem with mine. After changing the rack and the pump... and at my wits end with it, discovered the problem was a bad steering knuckle where it come out of the firewall and before the rack connection.

May not be your trouble but I know I wish I had someone tell me to check it out before
I did all of the other & more expensive work to it!!