96 camry 4cyl steering loose - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

NFSPD · 11-23-2009, 08:30 PM

I just bought a 96 camry 4cyl cheap that has some issues.

The steering on it is very loose and the front end is out of alignment the wheel has to be a quater turn to the left just to go straight.

The steering wheel has tons of play.

I was wondering if it could be a bad rack or if just the bushings went bad.

The car has a bad oil leak and i am thinking the oil ate the bushings.

If the bushings can be replaced does anyone know where i can get them?

I have looked around a bit and can't find anything but the rack for $300

thanks

***96paseo*** · 11-24-2009, 12:53 AM

Pull your wheels off and inspect the tie rods and ball joints. You can also have a look at the rack and control arm bushings while your in there. Do a shake down to see if there's any play. Up and down to check the ball joints, left and right for the tie rods.

MurderedOut · 11-24-2009, 01:00 AM

I have the exact same problems on mine! not the oil problem though

phantomotkau · 11-30-2009, 01:40 PM

Man, I though I was the only one having this problem. Took me days to find this thread.

I've took my tires off and took a look at that the rack was doing while the steering wheel was turned. Basically the rack lifts up when turning to the right. I'm thinking it may be the rack bushings but its hard to tell so much road grime down there (my 93 camry has led a hard life)

Can anyone help diagnose? I found a racks as inexpensive as 170 but I'd like to know if there were any other thoughts on it.

I'm seriously considering sending the camry to the junk yard.