First post on this site... My wifes 2003 Avalon for the last week has something going on with the power steering. When you are taking a hard turn at very low speeds, 20mph or less, the steering seems to have power, then no power, then power. It seems to be hard to turn, then easy, then hard and when you straighten out you have to straighten it out yoyrself..it doesn't seem to want to straighten out by itself. When you go faster it is fine. I've gone 30 or so mph and take a hard turn and it is fine. Car has 65,000 miles. Tires are inflated fine and fluid is at the right level. Any help is appreciated
yeh, doesn't seem to have leeks...haven't added any fluid. It seems like it has bumps when you turn the wheel. Not very big bumps..seems to have power steering then none then power steering. Am I helping with the description.. No squeals from the belts, although I know I need to change the serpentine as it squealled last summer when you put on the AC. Its not hard to turn thru the hard spots, but when you release the wheel it will return until the hard spot then you have to turn itpast that spot. Can you tell I hardly ever drive my wifes car?
I had this issue as well in mine. I flushed the PS fluid and it didnt help so i looked at the steering column and noticed there was a joint which was binding when i would turn the wheel. So i sprayed the crap out of it with pb blaster and 2 days later it worked perfectly and hasnt come back since
yeah, i've experienced this SAME problem. light steering, then heavy steering, and yes, it wouldn't straighten out after turning (the steering wheel) like it used to. first off, what is PB blaster, and second, is the coupling under the hood, or inside the car under the dash ?? i almost hate to say it, but has anyone had a dealer look into this? reason i ask is that i was wondering if a service bullentin has been put out about it..
thanks all.
This issue has also come back on my car
PB blaster is a type of lubricant kind of like WD-40 except its stronger.
I sprayed underneath the dash as well as under the hood where the steering column meets the rack and pinion. Have you had the recall done for the issue with the steering lock?
no, in fact i just read about the recall here. i need to get with my dealer and see what's up. we've got a great toy dealer in our town. sure, he's expensive as hell, but once they do something, it's done right. and they're pretty up front too, so i'll see what's up with the recall. i would think that HAS to have something to do with all this.
I had this issue as well in mine. I flushed the PS fluid and it didnt help so i looked at the steering column and noticed there was a joint which was binding when i would turn the wheel. So i sprayed the crap out of it with pb blaster and 2 days later it worked perfectly and hasnt come back since
The problem is that steering u-joint has NO Grease fitting and gets splashed with water all the time and rusts.
I tried using Liquid Wrench on it... it worked for a few weeks then came back... so this time I did this:
--> I took an old Shock boot from a Rancho rs5000 shock, cut it 5 inches in length - split it down the side
--> Crammed the steering u-joint full of wheel bearing grease
--> Put the shock boot over it - zip tied it on
--> Finally I wrapped the whole mess with Duct tape
Ghetto I know - but guess what! It works perfectly
Two things come to mind. The first is I had the steering column fixed under the recall at the dealer, I wonder if this is related or coincidental. Second, I live in Massachusetts and this past winter was brutal. I wonder if all the snow, ice , road salt and sand got into the knuckle and made it work crappy because now that it has rained alot the problem seems to have gone away almost as if the wet weather washed everything clean. Time will tell, I'll keep you informed. Any other ideas ? I can see the dealer wanting to replace everything to solve the problem, or am I just cynical ?
Two things come to mind. The first is I had the steering column fixed under the recall at the dealer, I wonder if this is related or coincidental. Second, I live in Massachusetts and this past winter was brutal. I wonder if all the snow, ice , road salt and sand got into the knuckle and made it work crappy because now that it has rained alot the problem seems to have gone away almost as if the wet weather washed everything clean. Time will tell, I'll keep you informed. Any other ideas ? I can see the dealer wanting to replace everything to solve the problem, or am I just cynical ?
Ya - I live in Tewksbury, so our Avalons see the same crappy roads and weather
That steering u-joint/shaft is a PITA to get to... it is also part of a shaft. I can't imagine changing it would be an easy task!
Here is a link to the picture of the part in question #45202, and it cost $152!
got the bad new from my Toy dealer yesterday. 300 bones to fix the steering linkage problem. the recall, he said, has to do with something around the ignition switch, and absolutely nothing to do with the u-joints on down the steering shaft which is causing the problem. 200 bucks for the parts, then a little over an hour to install. on top of this may be an alignment too.. sheesh... i hate to say it, but i never had these kind of problems with any of my hondas... oops.. did i just type that ??
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
It worked fine until I fixed it! 
I know - but guess what! It works perfectly 
Steve
Linear Mode
