Power steering issue. - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

98camryguy · 03-19-2009, 04:20 PM

Ok guys, I don't post much but every time I do you guys save me a ton of time. Car is a 98 Camry v6

About a week ago I noticed my power steering reservoir was a tad low, so I added some power steering fluid. It seems like over the next day or so my Camry developed a strange power steering issue when turning it feels like the power steering will turn on and off, as in it goes from being easy to turn to hard then back again. I dealt with it for a few days trying to figure out what it could be( pump, belt, etc) and in my research I found that I should not have put power steering fluid in but actually transition fluid (now I know what the "ATF" on the cap meant

)

Now I'm going to flush the system tomorrow, but my question is would the wrong fluid cause my problem? If not where should I look next?

Also when flushing the PSF I know you disconnect the return line, but in my service manual I can't figure out which line is the return line. There is one line near the bottom of the reservoir and one above it. Logic would tell me the higher one is return but I would like to make sure.

Thanks for the help guys!

98camryguy · 03-19-2009, 06:18 PM

Just flushed it on my own. for everyone's info return hose is the top hose. Flushed fairly easily, although I did it alone so I just spun the wheel till air was coming out of the hose, reinstalled the return line and filled the reservoir until full. Problem is 80%-90% gone it definitively made a difference, I'll check back in a day or so after I do some more driving and let everyone know the result.

Manny1337 · 03-19-2009, 09:34 PM

thanks man this may help me =P

Hajoca · 03-19-2009, 10:53 PM

Generic (ie wally world , napa, etc) Power steering fluid or Dex3 (equivalent) can be used. and should not cause failure. both are anti wear, hydraulic fluids.
I believe that ATF would have more detergents/dispersants to clean any accumulated residue
I use wally world PSF for cars I service and synthetic like Mobil1 multi application ATF in my own cars.

The flush with ATF should clear up your problems, do it again in a month, you will get to see the new ATF fluid get dirty.