Binding steering? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

mmurray70 · 02-09-2005, 01:36 PM

I have a 92 Camry and i've noticed the past few days that the steering is binding a little. Its not stiff all the time, just randomly stiffens up in certain places of rotation while driving. Doesnt get better as the car warms up or anything, its like it all the time. Power steering fluid is full but the belt could possibly be loose, cant really check it till this weekend. Its not making any squeling sounds or any other signs of slipping. I'm kinda thinking its not as simple as the belt.

Any idea what this could be? Is it safe to drive the car for another couple of days?

mmurray70 · 02-10-2005, 02:37 PM

Anybody? Really like to know whats going on here.

anuthaCamry · 02-10-2005, 02:44 PM

it would be best to not drive the car until it's fixed, I have an AAA card if that happened to me I would tow it to my house. I wouldn't drive it more than 30 meters in that condition, that's about 5 car-lengths. That binding might sieze all of a sudden and there is great potential for fatalities.

95camguy · 02-10-2005, 04:27 PM

^^^ agreed

have it checked out b4 driving it around too much

mmurray70 · 02-10-2005, 07:13 PM

So what can my problem be? Theres not a whole lot to break in the steering system. Racks rarely ever cause trouble on any cars, cant say i ever heard of an import needing one replaced. And usually when they are replaced its because they are dumping out fluid. Mine isnt leaking, well nothing major. Spoonful of fluid every 6 months maybe.

Can a rack be bad and still not be leaking?

REAPER STRAIN · 02-10-2005, 08:11 PM

I am having the same problem but i know when mine happens. First off I am leaking PS fluid from somewhere on the hose. I tried the lucus powersteering fluid additive that stops leaks and squeeling but it didnt work completely. My leak is a lot less now but I still notice that the reservoir level is getting a little lower every week. And I still hear the squeeling when I turn the steering wheel all he way. Anyway, my PS binds when I run over a large puddle of water at very low speeds. This I know is because I removed my splash shield from the bottom of my car and water is getting on the PS belt. It clears up seconds after it happens but the squeeling alone is enuff to make me go and either change the belt and/or change the PS pump. Anyone knows what that squeeling means? Especially when your resevoir is full?

rusty9 · 02-10-2005, 08:16 PM

rack and pinion shot. quick fix: try putting a bit of brake fluid in and turn the wheel back and forth a couple times. sometimes this works to fix small leaks by making the gaskets swell.

and yes, a rack can go bad without leaking.

REAPER STRAIN · 02-10-2005, 08:44 PM

Hopefully it isnt a R&P problem bcos I was just reading true the past post (used my search button

) and found that those are pretty expensive. But luckily the symptoms that I am displaying is more like a loose belt. At least I hope so.
Check out this post I just found: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t59134.html
I will try tightening or more likely replacing my PS belt and anything else I can while there and see if that helps.

mmurray70 · 02-11-2005, 08:19 AM

So is it defenatly my rack?

REAPER STRAIN · 03-04-2005, 01:05 AM

Not neccessarily. I just bought new belts and installed them with a friend and that did the trick I can turn the steering wheel much easier AND when I get to either end no more screeching! When we took to old power steering belt off we noticed that there was absolutely nothing wrong with it. I replaced it anyway but the problem was most definately the fact that it was too slack. We used a steel bar to take up the slack (leveraging PS pump away from chasis) as we tightened the bolt. Works like a dream. I figure since I dont have a splash guard on the undercarriage as soon as water hit that loose belt it just slipped. Also, the screeching sound was getting worse and worse in the mornings and too longer for them to go away. Its all good now. Give it a try and let us know who it turns out.

mmurray70 · 03-04-2005, 09:53 AM

Found out after that it was the universal in the steering colum, even though two garages told me it was the rack. Thanks

gosu · 03-08-2005, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmurray70

Found out after that it was the universal in the steering colum, even though two garages told me it was the rack. Thanks

I'm having the same problem with binding steering. Could you tell me what "the universal" is and if it is expensive/hard to replace/repair?

gosu · 03-08-2005, 04:10 PM

Hey all,

Previously I had asked what "the Universal" was. Well I found it. It was the universal steering Joint. It is a "U" linkage/joint under the dash that leads into the firewall through a rubber grommet.

Well after searching google groups I found someone who resolved the binding steering problem by lubing the joint and the grommet. I took some CLP (gun cleaner / lube) and sprayed generous amounts on the joint and the area where the shaft enters the firewall. I started the car and gave the wheel a few lock to lock turns and the binding is GONE! Amazing.

To make the story even sweeter, I had taken my car into Pep Boys for a diag. They said my whole rack and pinion and PS pump were "going bad" and had to be replaced... for an estimated amount of $1000. A little disappointed and skeptical I told them to give me my car back and I immediately came to this site. After a little searching, I was able to fix the problem myself for almost nothing.

I hope this information helps someone in the future.

-fellow 3VZ owner

mmurray70 · 03-08-2005, 05:38 PM

Wow, Looks like my soloution has helped a couple of you guys. Sure is alot better then the price of nearly a Grand for having a new rack installed! I was also quoted the same.

Glad it helped.

rotaryrocket_89 · 03-23-2005, 04:23 PM

Hey guys. I just found this threat by searching because I had the same problem. I sprayed some wd-40 on the U joint and the locking-un-locking of the steering is gone. However, it took 1 day for it to disapear. I called the mechanic at Toyota and he said that if I kept the U-joint lubed the problem shouldn't re-occur, and this was saffe.

However, a new u-joint installed is 400 cdn. Just wondering if anyone knows of a strong good grease I could get at somewhere like Candian Tire to keep the joint lubed.

Also, when I start the car, or lock the steering wheel to the left or right it 'squawks' like crazy. I thought this could be a loose power steering belt, but the mechanic says its something to do with releasing presure. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks alot for your help. This forum is really good!!!