3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
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New rack and pinion now steering wheel won't return to centre!?
I took the car to the mechanic to get my GEN3 1997 camry's rack and pinion replaced (second hand).
But now, the steering is very stiff and the steering wheel won't come back to the centre.
Before it would glide back when I turn corners, but it just stays stuck left or right and I have to literally pull it back to the centre.
Today I took it for a wheel alignment thinking that might fix the problem but it did not.
I researched the net and found someone else has the exact sort of problem. Its not a camry but what he explained is the exact same problem.
Here: http://www.mazda626.net/index.php?showtopic=27214
Why would it be like this? I'm taking it back on Monday but would love to get a second opinion.
If you are looking for confirmation that the replacement rack is not functioning correctly then you have it. The front wheel geometry on all cars is set up with a small amount of positive caster. This is what returns your cars steering to center after a turn. This action is similar to the front wheels on a shopping cart when you push forward on the cart the wheels swing around and the caster is riding rear-ward. Rear-ward kingpin inclination is another way this is accomplished in automotive applications. The used rack that the garage installed on your car is preventing this from occurring. It is likely that they installed a bad rack. However, it is possible that the mechanic may have connected the two rubber lines backward at the pump itself.
I just changed the rack on mine about a month ago and I belive the design of the hydraulic lines was such that they would only connect in one way. They just did not have the flexibility to be swapped, and as I recall the fittings were different sizes. Sounds more like a bad rack.
I just changed the rack on mine about a month ago and I belive the design of the hydraulic lines was such that they would only connect in one way. They just did not have the flexibility to be swapped, and as I recall the fittings were different sizes. Sounds more like a bad rack.
On my gen 3 there are hard lines going up to the back of the pump and hard lines coming from the pump itself connected only by two rubber lines and hose clamps. Would not take much to mix these around.
To remove the rack and pinion you do not loosen any rubber to metal line connections. There are two fittings on the steering gear box on the rack and they come from the pump. The way these hoses are bent at the end it would be difficult to get them backwards. You may have more slack in the lines than I had in mine but it was so obvious on mine when I reconnected them that they could not have been connected wrong.
To remove the rack and pinion you do not loosen any rubber to metal line connections. There are two fittings on the steering gear box on the rack and they come from the pump. The way these hoses are bent at the end it would be difficult to get them backwards. You may have more slack in the lines than I had in mine but it was so obvious on mine when I reconnected them that they could not have been connected wrong.
That is why I wrote that it is likely that he has a bad rack and that it was only a possibility on the swapped connections. Any other contradictions, implications or otherwise unnecessary complications to a simple problem? Maybe you would like to haggle the ins and outs on the application of particle accelerators in research and industry?
Thank you guys! I had to register to that stupid mazda forum to be able to email the guy and out of sheer luck he actually emailed me back. This is what he said:
It ended up being a defective rack. The shop replaced it. And the
problem was gone.
Good luck.
So from you guys says its a bad rack and the other dude saying it. I GUESS the shop done me over well.
Gotta take the car back tomorrow!
Thank you for all the help. I'll tell you guys how things go.
EDIT: I forgot to mention this, but not sure if it will make any difference. but when I got the car back, the steering wheel was upside down. so I took it back quickly and he said he forgot to take it off and turn it back the right way.
It might be the rack, but a shot universal joint can cause the steering to not self-return. That's what happened to mine (heavy and would not self return), but since i had 'manual' rack and pinion steering, i just converted it to power steering XD That was $25 from the wreckers whereas the power steering kit is $200 XD, but man the p/s is convenient!
I don't know if this would have an affect on the steering, but consider position of the universal joint. From full lock to the other full lock, the universal joint should look identical or near identical in regards to it's layout/position.
EDIT: I forgot to mention this, but not sure if it will make any difference. but when I got the car back, the steering wheel was upside down. so I took it back quickly and he said he forgot to take it off and turn it back the right way.
WTF. Every car I have ever had the wheel off of, the column was splined in such a way that the wheel can only go back on one way. Sounds like he had to loosen the pinch bolt in the steering knuckle and re-align the rack. The stupid thing here is that the mechanic never even test drove the car. He would have noticed the wheel on upside-down and would also have known that he just installed a bad rack if he had. I do not recommend that you return to that garage for future service.
I'm very happy that you guys understand. I was talking to my dad about this, and got pissed off that he actually did not even bother to take it for a ****ing test drive If he had, he would have known the steering wheel was upside down and the rack was crap. I'll give him a call tomorrow, but good chances are I'll get the "I'm busy today, bring the car next year" excuse.
Ah well, you can never win in this world.
LOL...not a mechanic, but have been dealing with them all my life..Its very difficult to find one, that I trust.
I have one now, honest, trustworthy, competent, good prices, a real car guy.
But he's went out of business once! Honestly unfortunately isn't profitable, in the mechanic business.
Damn shame.
The best camry mechanic I trust most with all the above stated traits....is ASG14
__________________
96 Camry Coupe LE V6
98 Honda CRV
08 GMC Crew
11 Kia Sportage EX AWD
Took the car in this morning. This time he took it for a test drive and did say the rack is shit and needs replacing and he will do it free of charge. This time I did tell him though to please take it for a test drive this time :P
Okay, I got the car back last night and the rack was replaced. Its running perfect now. Will give it an alignment in a few weeks when I got time.
In the meantime, I have a stupid oil leak
Two infact! The bigger oil leak is coming about 10inches from the left side of the tyre and the other one is coming from about the middle of the car
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If he had, he would have known the steering wheel was upside down and the rack was crap. I'll give him a call tomorrow, but good chances are I'll get the "I'm busy today, bring the car next year" excuse.
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