97 Camry power steering

[sbushnak]

Good day all,

I need some help regarding a power steering issue in my car.

Car in question is 1997 Camry w/ 5SFE Automatic. Mileage: 171,200 miles

What happened was today while I was driving with engine warmed up, I turned the steering wheel all the way to the left, my steering wheel bounced back to the right and every time I do that, as if someone is knocking my steering wheel. I tried it while turning right and it did the same thing.

Same problem happened back in summer, only once.

When my car did this back in summer, the power steering fluid was a little dirty so I used the turkey baster method and exchanged the fluid to Mobil1 Synthetic ATF. No problems with the Mobil1 ATF until today.

Also when I first got the car back in February 2008, my mechanic replaced the power steering and alternator belts using the cheapest NAPA belts.

This is the link for the power steering belt from NAPA:
http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...Power+Steering

No noises heard while turning left or right.

I searched the forums and here is another member who has the same problem:
Power steering problem on 95 5sfe

I just came back from a 10 minutes drive, the power steering was completely normal.

I will go ahead today to my mechanic to have him check my car, but want to get some more information from here.

Thanks in advance.

[fakehawk]

why did you use ATF as opposed to power steering fluid?

[Mike Gerber]

Have your mechanic check the power steering belt tension. New belts tend to stretch out after a few thousand miles, especially the aftermarket belts.

Mike

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by fakehawk

why did you use ATF as opposed to power steering fluid?

The owner's manual calls for Dexron ATF for this application.

Mike

[sbushnak]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

Have your mechanic check the power steering belt tension. New belts tend to stretch out after a few thousand miles, especially the aftermarket belts.

Mike

Thanks Mike. He checked the belt yesterday and said it's ok.

The new NAPA belt has about 8000 miles on it.

Well he checked everything and everything appears to be normal. If it happens again, i will take it back to him.

[sbushnak]

Just an update:

After 10,000 miles on the NAPA belt, it started slipping and I was loosing power steering but then it will come back.

I just replaced both drive belts with Toyota OEM Bando belts. I got them both for $32 inlcuding tax from the dealer.

The old NAPA belt had cracks.

So far so good. I dont know if it's me but my car sounds better now!

Thank you all for your help.

[mvftw]

I would be looking at worn rack...that act up in the cold...

[Jimnist]

Originally Posted by sbushnak

Just an update:

After 10,000 miles on the NAPA belt, it started slipping and I was loosing power steering but then it will come back.

I just replaced both drive belts with Toyota OEM Bando belts. I got them both for $32 inlcuding tax from the dealer.

The old NAPA belt had cracks.

So far so good. I dont know if it's me but my car sounds better now!

Thank you all for your help.

If it was slipping, you would usually hear it. It will be a very high pitched squeal.

[sbushnak]

Originally Posted by mvftw

I would be looking at worn rack...that act up in the cold...

Well it will act up rarley and my mechanic checked it out. It's ok.

Originally Posted by Jimnist

If it was slipping, you would usually hear it. It will be a very high pitched squeal.

Yes it was a very high pitched squel.

[Jimnist]

Originally Posted by sbushnak

Yes it was a very high pitched squel.

And does it usually happen when you're moving really slowly and turning the wheel a lot? Like a u-turn, 3 point turn or parking?

Yep. Definite symptoms of the belt slipping. Mine slips a bit as well, but i don't have the vacuum idle-up hoses attached. So that would affect it XD