2000 Camry steering stiff at center - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

dapqam · 01-20-2011, 08:10 PM

I have a 2000 Camry 4 cyl (115,000 miles) made in Japan with steering that is stiff just as I turn off center then as I turn further the stiffness goes away. I have lubed the joints of the steering column down to the rack. Does not fix it. Could it be that there is a certain section of the rack that is worn? Could it be lubricated? What are your ideas? Thanks.

***JohnGD*** · 01-20-2011, 09:25 PM

I'd jack up the front end on stands. With the engine off try to turn the steering lock-to-lock and see if it's smooth or binding from lock-to-lock. If it's smooth then it's probably something in the hydraulics, not mechanical.

And while on the stands flush out the entire system (engine off), use a synthetic blend ATF like Castrol Import Multi-vehicles ATF, a fully synthetic Mobil-1 or Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc. See:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t19334.html

Hajoca · 01-24-2011, 03:38 PM

Strut mount bearings, swaybar links been looked at?

SexieWASD · 01-24-2011, 04:52 PM

I noticed that your in new york, and it's been a bit cold lately in the north east. I don't know how you lubed the steering column joints so this is just a guess, but mine would get water inside of them that would freeze in weather like this and would stay stiff until it warmed up a bit. It might be worth finding a heated place to put it for a while and see if it doesn't go away.

dapqam · 01-24-2011, 05:27 PM

I pulled the car into the garage and let it warm up a bit. It is COLD out there. I also sprayed some penetrating fluid (used transmission fluid) on the steering column joints. I have done this years ago too but I didn't think this was a regular maintenance item. By the next day the steering had loosened up even after the car sat out in the cold again. I was preparing for a rack and pinion replacement but I guess I dodged that bullet. Thanks for all you suggestions. This site (and others) have helped me save lots of money on car repairs and enabled me to do things I thougt I could never do. Thank you all.
P.S. I do have to repair the bearings that are on top of the front struts and the bushings that are around the sway bar in the rear. I'll wait for warmer weather in the spring for those. Should I plan on replacing the struts when I change the bearings? Should I buy complete new struts or can the springs be reused? Car has 115,000 miles. The car has not been driven hard or over bad roads.