steering wheel play - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

73ch13 · 12-11-2004, 11:38 PM

Hey all...
I've got a 4cyl 92 Camry LE Sedan which had it's steering rack replaced in June. I can turn the wheel about a 4-6 degrees without moving the tires, when parked. When driving and on the highway, it's a little difficult to make small adjustments and there's a hugely irritating constant sqeaking coming from the steering column. Also, the other day, as I was driving, I felt something rolling around under my feet and reached down and picked up a gold-colored bolt. No idea where it's from... I've looked at all the spots a bolt could have come from and can't seem to locate where it came from. My fear is that the bolt came out of the steering column somewhere and that's what's causing the looseness, etc.

Any thoughts?

mescalito · 12-12-2004, 12:09 AM

uh oh!

i could swear there is a steering tension bolt, but thats in the engine bay - not in the cabin which could explain the loose feeling, i have that too.

someone will chime in i'm sure...have you searched the site for similar posts?

73ch13 · 12-13-2004, 07:07 AM

bump :-)

amerikim · 12-13-2004, 07:27 AM

I have gold colored bolts supporting my steering column, get your head under there.
Also since you had work done so recently on it, bring it back to the shop.

I do not think many people here play with their steering but maybe some of the professionals on here will chime in.

burchard · 12-13-2004, 07:58 PM

I had a bit off loose steering after the dearler did a tranny job on my car. After a while I figure out that one of the bolts that attaches the power steering to the chasis was left loose by the dealer. I tied up the bolt and the problem never happen again.

amerikim · 12-13-2004, 08:21 PM

Hey Burchard, same thing happened to me.

Except I had to deal with assholes at Les Schwab (big tire dealership in OR).
Made me wait two hours and then told me they could not align because I have loose steering. I rushed back to mechanic and questioned him. He jacked it and tightened up two lousy bolts. Then I boogie back and Les Schwab make me wait another hour before they tell me to come back tomorrow cause they have no time. I go to another Les Schwab and they tell me my car is out of spec and they can't do shit for me. All this with my car sitting out in the parking lot twenty feet away. The second store didn't even look at it. Contradiction in itself when two techs who work for the same place can't get their shit together. Reflects on the business itself. Highly trained, my foot. Combine that with poor business ethic and attitude and you still have nothing.
I was so pissed I forgot to ask for my money back.
Another Very Dissatisfied customer spreading the word and I will continue to do so.
Hope your boss reads this because before the year is out, I will dissuade as many people as I can. I figure I will get satisfaction in Les Schwab losing more in revenue than I paid.