rack and pinoin steering - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

nixmahn · 10-31-2004, 03:29 PM

Hello, I'm new here. I recently purchased a 1998 Camry 4 cylinder LE. The problem is that the steering wheel sticks whenever I steer anywhere. At first, I though it was an alignment problem, but the shop said that I had to replace my rack and pinion before I could do that and the rack and pinion was the problem. They said to replace the rack and pinon, needed power steering flush, and alignment would cost $650. Does this diagnostic and price sound reasonable? Money is tight and I can handle the steering for a while, is the repair REALLY neccsesary? I would rather do the replacment myself, can someone give me a link to where I can download a repair manual? Thanks in advance.

es250nut · 10-31-2004, 03:34 PM

Sticks? Here is a thread that might bear some light on your problem... Steering issues

nixmahn · 10-31-2004, 03:44 PM

Thank you for the direction but maybe I should clarify. The steering is stiiff uniformly, when I make a turn, the steering wheel does not adjust and return, so I have to manual move back the wheel. I'll look into the steering knuckle though. Oh yeah, I got the car at 188000 miles, the guy used to do deliveries.

nixmahn · 10-31-2004, 04:23 PM

I looked into it. Its not the steering knuckle. I checked the fliuds, that ain't it either. Does anyone else have any other good ideas. Other wise I'll have to go with bad steering for a while because money is a little tight.

Funny thing, I drove it to work for a couple of days and the steering was fine in the morning but turned to crap when I drove home. Does anyone have an idea what the problem could be?

sorry for double-posting

Davee · 02-05-2006, 06:50 PM

Maybe the pump is 1)shot 2) low on fluid 3) really control valve buggered on the unit. Noone would bypass the power steering pump with a temporary belt before you bought it?