Steering feels woolly all of a sudden

[Mickyblue]

Yes i know my camry has 237k miles on it, the Tokicos up front have close to 90k on them, and everything else is completely original and stock. But i was driving down the road and i was wiggling the steering wheel and it has like an inch one way and another of steering play and still goes straight, and it used to always be pretty tight. No stock tires, i think they are 7.5 inches wide so couldnt be that.

Could it be steering bushings? If so where can i find them and what kinds.
Also a friend told me it could be because its so old the chassis is flexing and settling so much.

So what things can i do to make it more responsive?

This is why, im setting out to make this the nicest old high mileage camry out there!


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[Rowdyrod]

Mine did that when a mechanic left the steering rack and pinion loose after a rear main oil seal job. Maybe your rack, or the ends that attach to the steering knuckles at the wheels are bad?

[Mickyblue]

Yeah i heard that too but is there any steering bushings i can replace? I mean 237 k and 15 years is alot on rubber

[JohnGD]

Like this?
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1034769

Jack up one corner, hold on to the tie rod and have a helper rock the steering wheel. Do you feel any play in the tie rod? Can also be LCA bushings, outer tie rod end, inner tie rod end or ball joint.