Help! Power steering stiff after fluid flush - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

xinno · 09-24-2008, 10:48 PM

I have a 98 V6 camry, and I recently got my power steering fluid flushed at the dealership. When I got the car back, there was noticeable stiffness in the steering. It's stiff whenever I try to turn, and it does not return/straighten out coming out of a turn.

Any ideas? Dealership says it has nothing to do with the flush and that I just need the steering rack replaced... $950!!! including alignment.

Albuynp Ryeno · 09-24-2008, 10:52 PM

first mistake is not doing the change yourself.

second try to change the ps fluid yourself, maybe they screwed up the change.

frenum49 · 09-24-2008, 10:57 PM

The key here is what he wrote about the wheel not returning to center after a turn. The dealership is right. You need a new rack. Something in there is binding badly enough to fight wheel caster.

Albuynp Ryeno · 09-24-2008, 11:00 PM

why would the rack just brake after the flush? The only thing i can think of is the dealership breaking it on purpose to make you replace it.

***BMR*** · 09-24-2008, 11:02 PM

Check the PS belt to see if they slobbered fluid all over it. Maybe the belt is slipping.

On the other hand, the rack & pinion going bad is a fairly common problem. They could be right. Take it to an independent shop for a second opinion.

***new echo owner*** · 09-24-2008, 11:10 PM

Sounds like either the flow control valve in the pump or the seal rings in the rack is stuck. Is the power steering pump making any noise when you turn the steering wheel?

N.E.O.

xinno · 09-24-2008, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by new echo owner

Sounds like either the flow control valve in the pump or the seal rings in the rack is stuck. Is the power steering pump making any noise when you turn the steering wheel?

N.E.O.

I don't hear noise when turning the wheel. Only when I've turned it all the way to the very end.

***new echo owner*** · 09-25-2008, 12:00 AM

How does it sound like? Beside the stiffness, does it feel like there is any assist at all?

N.E.O.

xinno · 10-03-2008, 01:49 AM

Hey in case anyone's interested...
the problem just went away this past weekend.

the steering's fine now... no abnormal stiffness and it returns correctly after turns.

only thing i can think of that i've done is turn it back and forth a bunch of times and drive it around!

soooo now, it makes me very suspicious of the dealer...
i'll likely never revisit the place.