2002 Toyota Steering Issue

[wetbo529]

Hello

I recently started having steering issues with my 2002 toyota camry 4cyl. The other day when I went to pull away from the curb I usually park it was like I had to pull the wheel (fight it to turn, not the usually it goes with you) to turn out onto the road. Now while driving straight or having to turn slightly I do not get the tight wheel snydrome (as I will call it for now) but when I take a full on turn I have pull the wheel pretty hard and when the turn is complete the wheel kind of comes back but I have to help it.

I have checked the power steering fluid which is mid level. I have checked the belt S belt that the power steering pully is on and it seems tight and not worn. I don't think there is any leaks or visible ones that I have noticed.

Now to back track just a bit the last few months when I would pull away from my curb when I cranked the wheel all the way over (or almost) to pull away a loud screeching almost sounded like a belt occurred almsot every other day. Then it went away. Then I started to experience a slight tension in the wheel for a bit but I saw I had a low tire and I filled it up and it seemed to solve the problem until just a few days ago.

I am quite perplexed as to what the issue could be. I have been searching the net all day for answers. People seem to reference there is a power steering belt but I cannot find anything about it or even if there is a way to buy a new one. Almost everything references back to the S-Belt which the power steering pump pully is on. Yet one website I found did say there was two belts in a toyota 2002 camry and one is a S-Belt and one is a power steering belt. The power steering fluid color seems to be a dark blue and I am not sure what color it should be or if there is different color fluids you can buy.

Can somebody please help? I have a family to take care of and when a car goes it causes so many problems. In todays economy its not worth it to take it to dealer that will charge me 900 bucks to change my power steering pump (if needed) when I can do it myself for 100 bucks. Thank you for all that help me out

[Donald E. George]

Look to see if the belt is loose. The tensioner may have siezed up. That would account for the "screeching" noise and for the hard steering at slow speeds. You should be able to duplicate the problem by turning the steering wheel left/right while the car is stopped. Regards.

[wetbo529]

When you say check to see if the belt is loose are you talking about the S-Belt? Or the elusive power steering belt that I can't find a thing on? It does it at high speeds too the tension in the wheel snydrome. How would I know if a belt is loose or not? Are we talking I shouldn't be able to tug it away from the pullies or like the obvious doesn't seem like its going to be on there much longer. Excuse my lack of better terms I am not savy with cars BUT I am trying! Lastly thank you very much

[wetbo529]

I forgot to mention. Yes when the car is parked the wheel is still very hard to turn. The screeching doesn't happen anymore though since the wheel became super hard to turn.

[txn999]

First question: Does fluid flow quickly in and out of the Power Steering fluid reservoir ?

Next:
Have another person sit inside the car and turn the steering wheel back and forth (with engine running of course).
Does the fluid still flow in and out very quickly ?

If the fluid flow is slow then maybe the P/S pump is going bad.

[longbed4wd]

I would jack up the front end of the car with both front wheels suspended. Use jack stands, preferably on a concrete floor....never put yourself in harm's way. Have a trusty accomplice turn your steering wheel, stop to stop, with and without the engine running while you observe the steering components. This may help you find your problem, and won't cost you anything but time. Good luck.