'97 Avalon Steering Problems

[jhiller21]

My '97 Avalon began having problems with stiff steering a while back. I share this car with my father, and he had been adding Dexron ATF fluid to curb the problem about a month ago.

Last week I took the car out and noticed the steering was getting stiff again (only on very cold days), so I added some generic power steering fluid from a gas station.

Since then, the steering has been awful on very cold days, and very stiff overall, until the car has warmed up fully.

I now know Avalon's tend to have PS problems around 100K (I'm at 110), but is adding generic power steering fluid (leak stopper fluid) dangerous to the pump? Did I make a problem even worse by adding the wrong fluid?

[96AvalonOwner]

I had to get mine replaced. Like you the problem started on a cold day. Do you hear any rattling sound when the car starts? Replacement is not cheap. I paid about $600 (parts and labor).

[parimento1]

My PS pump just blew last week, sprayed fluid all over. Just before it went, the steering was kinda tough but not really, then all of a sudden no PS.