Steering Oddity - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

haux · 10-10-2009, 03:17 AM

Last Saturday morning I noticed that my steering wheel was slightly stiff at turning. Nothing like if a power steering belt breaks. But about three times while turning it completely to the left, it would stiffen up. My PS fluid is at a good level. And now, a week later, it's almost back to normal. But I think it still feels a bit off.

In any case, what could have caused it/be causing it? Is it the power steering pump or the steering column? I would prefer not to leave it alone in case it's something that could become serious.

chronoti · 10-10-2009, 09:21 AM

is the belt tensioned right, any rain?

whitefamily · 10-10-2009, 09:37 AM

My son had this in his Subaru. In that case it was belt slippage, no squealing either. It seemed dependent on engine temperature to me. In any case we replaced the belt, problem gone.

However it may also be a leak in one of the power steering seals.

Another cause I saw in a Camry forum was a binding universal joint in the steering shaft.

Cheers

SexieWASD · 10-10-2009, 11:06 AM

It's a common problem on older mileage Cam's especially in the snowy states.

On the steering shaft there is a universal joint just passed the fire wall below the brake booster/master cylinder, hit it with some WD40 then turn your wheel back and forth a bit, if the problem goes away (it will come back in a day or two) then that would be your problem and it will need to be replaced.

haux · 10-10-2009, 11:18 AM

Thank you guys for the information.

I live in Oklahoma, so it isn't a snowy state by any stretch. But last winter I spent in Chicago... when it hit 20 degrees below zero. And I've also spent winters in freezing states other years. Maybe that had some affect on it.

I did also notice that yesterday, when it seemed to almost work just fine, it was 50 degrees, the first coldest day since last winter.

chronoti, I will check the tension of the belt. And it did first happen after a day or rain, but continued to go on into the dry days.

haux · 10-10-2009, 11:38 AM

This is listed on eBay as "Steering Joint Lower Column."

http://i34.tinypic.com/9vf6mh.jpg

Is that what it should look like?

SexieWASD · 10-10-2009, 04:01 PM

Yea that is it.

***dz63*** · 10-10-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SexieWASD

It's a common problem on older mileage Cam's especially in the snowy states.

On the steering shaft there is a universal joint just passed the fire wall below the brake booster/master cylinder, hit it with some WD40 then turn your wheel back and forth a bit, if the problem goes away (it will come back in a day or two) then that would be your problem and it will need to be replaced.

That's very interesting. I had mine replaced when my '96 Camry was only 4 years old. Mine wasn't binding for the whole 360 degrees, just part of a revolution and only when it was cold. I suspect that the original part was defective or Toyota somehow improved the design.The car is now pushing 13 yrs and I have had no more problems since then.

Curious to know if it is a difficult part to replace? If I got hit with a pretty substantial bill for the replacement.

SexieWASD · 10-10-2009, 09:45 PM

I haven't replace mine yet, but will be doing it before snow flies here in Maine. It looks like it can be done with only removing the boot that it fits through. I don't think it will take that long, but it seams to be a fairly uncomfortable job laying on your back under the dash. IIRC Toyota put out a service bulletin about it being a defective part.

***JohnGD*** · 10-10-2009, 11:42 PM

When it's completely to the stop it's likely belt tension issue. use one of these, get one on Amazon:

http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?br...cation_id=2742

Quote:

Originally Posted by haux

Last Saturday morning I noticed that my steering wheel was slightly stiff at turning. Nothing like if a power steering belt breaks. But about three times while turning it completely to the left, it would stiffen up. My PS fluid is at a good level. And now, a week later, it's almost back to normal. But I think it still feels a bit off.

In any case, what could have caused it/be causing it? Is it the power steering pump or the steering column? I would prefer not to leave it alone in case it's something that could become serious.

haux · 10-11-2009, 12:27 AM

I replaced my headlights and corner lights today, but for some reason I completely forgot to check the belt and try the DW-40 on the u-joint test. I will do that today if I remember.

However, now I have another dilemma. I removed the center toyota logo piece from the grille, and the front chrome face of it fell off. I guess it was old and dried up, so whatever was holding it together fell apart. I suppose I could attach it back on using the appropriate adhesive. But, do any of you know where to buy one? I tried searching for it before online unsuccessfully. I haven't tried the dealership yet, but I presume that it will either be expensive or can only be purchased with a new grille, which I already bought (aftermarket, and did not come with the center piece).

EDIT: JohnGD, when the steering thing first occurred, it did not completely stop while turning, it only stiffened up and became harder to turn for a second. However, as I mentioned, it has now gone back to what I think is 95% normal. Still feels off.

I also forgot to mention. Turning the steering wheel makes a tiny bit of a whiney noise (not a screech, maybe the sound of a dying seal?)... if that makes sense. This especially happens in cold temperatures, but has been happening for about four years now. I never thought anything of it and assumed it was due to the cold. Could it be related?

SexieWASD · 10-11-2009, 08:57 AM

You can get the emblem separate from the grill at the dealer, I got one for an Avalon. I think I remember it being under $20.

haux · 10-11-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SexieWASD

You can get the emblem separate from the grill at the dealer, I got one for an Avalon. I think I remember it being under $20.

Wonderful! Thank you.

***JohnGD*** · 10-11-2009, 12:38 PM

Ok. Sounds kinda like a belt tension problem.

You might want to try, safely, in an empty parking lot. Let the car move at idle and make a sudden, large steering wheel turn. See if it suddenly stiffens up a little and resume to normal, especially when cold.

Drive belt is the easiest solution and often a whiny problem, so always suspect that first. So I wouldn't go beyond the belt right now, especially whiny at cold temperature.

I'd get a Gates belt and check using the ~$20 Krik-it II tension gauge (unless you have a dial style tension gauge that seems to be hard to find -- deer in the headlight stare in stores). The gauge begins at 100 lbs but does give you the upper tension limit for a used PS belt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by haux

EDIT: JohnGD, when the steering thing first occurred, it did not completely stop while turning, it only stiffened up and became harder to turn for a second. However, as I mentioned, it has now gone back to what I think is 95% normal. Still feels off.

I also forgot to mention. Turning the steering wheel makes a tiny bit of a whiney noise (not a screech, maybe the sound of a dying seal?)... if that makes sense. This especially happens in cold temperatures, but has been happening for about four years now. I never thought anything of it and assumed it was due to the cold. Could it be related?

haux · 10-11-2009, 01:17 PM

Regarding the first part, I will try that when I go out in a moment.

However, the whiny steering wheel thing is ages old. It started in 2005, and I've changed that belt several times between now and then. Given my ~60k average yearly mileage, I pretty much have to change all my belts every year. And the noise is coming from the steering wheel, not the engine. People I talk to on the phone while turning can hear it. It's not the same kind of noise you get when the alternator belt is loose, for example. That noise is way too high pitched. This noise is more like a dying seal. Maybe I can figure out a way to record it!