Tighten Gen5 Camry Steering

[hariaum]

So this has been bothering me since my Camry was handed down to me. The steering feels really loose and feels like it simply lacks precision. I have driven other Gen5 Camrys and I get the same feedback from the steering. I was wondering if there was a way to tighten the steering so that there wasn't so much play and shake at highway speeds. I realize that this was the first year Toyota began using electronically assisted steering in the Camry but I feel like there's got to be a way to make the steering tight.

Thanks,

Abhi

[DftMachine]

I was wondering the same thing. My 05 feels so very unstable on the highway.
I know Lexus has steering dampeners that are supposed to put more weight on the steering and make it feel more precise for the IS. Is there something like that for the Camry?

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

It's a Camry, not a sports car.

[DftMachine]

So there is nothing out there that will improve steering feel and precision?

[Agent556]

i guess changing alignment on the front wheels will help for the play that you feel, but if you want the steereing wheel to feel heavier, i wouldn't know other than remove the power steering pump which in itself sounds like a bad idea.

[hariaum]

After replacing the "donuts" that came with the car, it did begin to feel better, and Punks, its doesn't have to be a sports car to have better steering feel and be tighter. The Accord and Altima are in the same class and feel much better as far as steering feel goes.

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

My sisters Accord is the same as the Camry...

You can get wider tires, tighten up the suspension, RSB, STB, springs, struts....

[CamrySExxx]

I would say the camrys steering is lighter than the camry ... and it doesnt have to be a sports car to have a heavy steering wheel. The gen6 compared to the gen5 is a lot heavier, you can take your hands off the wheel on the highway and it will stay straight compared tdo the gen5, the smallest bump will throw it off

[hariaum]

Originally Posted by CamrySExxx

I would say the camrys steering is lighter than the camry ... and it doesnt have to be a sports car to have a heavy steering wheel. The gen6 compared to the gen5 is a lot heavier, you can take your hands off the wheel on the highway and it will stay straight compared tdo the gen5, the smallest bump will throw it off

I agree, I drove a friend's Gen6 Hybrid and the steering felt much better. I don't really want to spend too much money tinkering and upgrading the suspension but the wheels I have now are from a 3000gt (16" x 8") and they definitely made a difference but I still wish it was tighter

[sundarpn]

On the gen5s, i think the XLE has tighter steering due to wider tires than the LE. I have the 02 XLE.

Only complaint I have is the auto-return / auto-center of the steering is bad. SE will also have better steering I think. Dunno is the rack in an SE is different.

[TOYO-ED]

i agree with you guys. My mom has a Gen 5 LE, and her steering feels the lightest. My sister's Gen 6 LE is a bit better compared to the Gen 5 LE; I would compare that to the Gen 4 LE steering. And i have the Gen 6 SE, and it feels tighter than all three.

[hariaum]

I have pretty wide tires (16 x 8) but I think the suspension is not stiff enough. I might try some springs...

[Agent556]

im going for a shot in the dark here, seeing as this has been bumped from a long time ago, lol

the "looseness" or play that you feel in the feeling that when youre driving on the highway, you can turn the wheel left and right and the car just keeps driving in a striaght line?

if your issue is with this, the only thing i can truly come up with is changing wheel alignment on the front wheels. may be out of spec, but if that's your preference.....