Heavy steering

[Tubbyc]

I have a 2001 Camry. I feel my steering is getting heavier, and when I turn my wheel slowly (like backing out from a parking spot) I can hear some funny sound... what can be wrong with my car? Do I need to have my power steering fluid replaced ( I have about 5000 miles on the car, I don't remember the last time I have my steering fluid replaced)? Does the steering fluid changes color, like the oil, when it needs to be replaced?

[Toysrme]

Forget the color of it. The fluids (oil transmision, etc) are the main filtration device. Oil can turn black in a half hour of running, but that doesn't mean it's toast.
Anyways. Just take a turkey baster and suck the fluid out of the tank. Replace with new transmission fluid (synthetic owns). It takes forever to do this, you probably would need to do it every day for a week. (If you drive every day)


Let us know how it goes. Things like power steering, brake fluid, and differential oil never get changed on most cars.