1992 V6 Camry Wagon LE Owner.

[Mazeezi]

My wagon has been giving me all kinds of headaches lately. I live in North Hollywood, CA and I have a mechanic I have been using, he seems like a real upfront nice guy, great prices for work but I am not sure if that is because he is not a great mechanic or a con-man. I recently took it to him to figure out why my steering wheel suddenly became very hard to turn, he said he tested the pump and it wasn't producing pressure, seemed resonable, so I had him replace it. I got it back and nothing improved we thought it had at least fixed the substantial leak, but only for a couple of days. I let it sit for the weekend and the reservoir was empty. So literally nothing improved after replacing the pump. He claims because I used stop leak it ruined my pump and gummed up my rack and pinion system. It still leaks the steering is not improving (he said the new pump might clean the gunk out of my rack and pinion system) Not the case. This is frustrating, I am a runner for work and I don't know if my steering wheel is just going to lock up randomly or if it will actually improve over time... I just want my wagon to be the best it can be.

[LynchburgCSI]

Mods, can we move this thread to the gen3/4 camry section for more attention?

[TrailDust]

Consider it done.



BTW, Mazeezi, to the nation!

[Mazeezi]

Thanks guys. UPDATE: After searching the forums I figured out the problem with the stiff steering, wasn't my rack and pinion system at all. I just needed to spray some lube on my steering column joint that is located just under the master brake drum right next to the firewall. I have NEVER been so relieved. Literally sprayed some high quality bike lubricant (T-9 by Boeing) all over the joint and a few back and forth turns of the wheel and it went from being nearly seized to butter! Thank you TN Forum! So now I am still dealing with a leak but I informed my mechanic of what the real problem was and how disappointed I was he didn't catch it before replacing the expensive PS pump. ($200) He has agreed to find and fix the leak free of charge as long as it it a hose leak.

Oh, and thank you for the warm welcome.

I am 26, Got my first car when I was 16, a 1994 4 cyl. Camry LE w/ 94,000mi traded it 8 years later with 205,000mi for my 92' V6 Wagon that had 155,000mi it now has 185,000 and counting.

I got the 94' as my first car when I was 16, It survived me thinking it was a race car/stunt car as well as being submerged in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico during Katrina. The water rose till it was over the seats and started right up after the storm and ran well for 2 years after until I traded it.

I love 3rd gen Camry's. I know first hand how reliable they truly are. I am no expert mechanic but over the years have learned how to fix many things with the help of Chiltons and my mechanic minded friend. Now I live in Los Angeles and find it hard to work on my car while parked on the street and my buddy who gave me confidence when I would DIY still lives on the MS gulf coast, now I have to rely on these Forums- so far so good.