Corolla '97 Power Steering Oil

My daughter's '97 Corolla power steering is rather stiff when it's cold,
e.g., 15°F or lower. It's fine after driving the car for 15-20 minutes.
Would replacing the power steering oil make a difference or is the stiffness
caused by the rack and pinion?

Thanks.

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
53235$458195a2$44a4a10d$20301@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Ghislain" <ghislaing@teksavvyDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:F9udnaWlKKRr9xzYnZ2dnUVZ_uyknZ2d@teksavvy.com...[color=green]
>> My daughter's '97 Corolla power steering is rather stiff when it's cold,
>> e.g., 15°F or lower. It's fine after driving the car for 15-20 minutes.
>> Would replacing the power steering oil make a difference or is the
>> stiffness caused by the rack and pinion?
>>
>> Thanks.[/color]
>
> There are a couple of possible causes for high steering effort. Replacing
> the power steering fluid may make a difference. Also check the condition
> of the universal joint on the steering column.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]


If I ask the dealer to check that universal joint, they should know what you
meant? Is it inside or outside the car? I would assume that it's outside
since the inside gets warm within 5 minutes while the steering is stiff for
a lot longer (it slowly gets normal). Can it be lubricated?

"Ghislain" <ghislaing@teksavvyDOTcom> wrote in message
news:Btudnft69b9XMhzYnZ2dnUVZ_sKunZ2d@teksavvy.com...[color=blue]
> "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
> 53235$458195a2$44a4a10d$20301@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=green]
>>
>> "Ghislain" <ghislaing@teksavvyDOTcom> wrote in message
>> news:F9udnaWlKKRr9xzYnZ2dnUVZ_uyknZ2d@teksavvy.com...[color=darkred]
>>> My daughter's '97 Corolla power steering is rather stiff when it's cold,
>>> e.g., 15°F or lower. It's fine after driving the car for 15-20 minutes.
>>> Would replacing the power steering oil make a difference or is the
>>> stiffness caused by the rack and pinion?
>>>
>>> Thanks.[/color]
>>
>> There are a couple of possible causes for high steering effort.
>> Replacing the power steering fluid may make a difference. Also check the
>> condition of the universal joint on the steering column.
>> --
>>
>> Ray O
>> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]
>
>
> If I ask the dealer to check that universal joint, they should know what
> you meant? Is it inside or outside the car? I would assume that it's
> outside since the inside gets warm within 5 minutes while the steering is
> stiff for a lot longer (it slowly gets normal). Can it be lubricated?
>[/color]

If you ask the dealer's service department to check the universal joint on
the steering column, they should know what it is. There is a u-joint in the
engine compartment, and if the car has a tilt steering wheel, there will be
one in the passenger compartment as well. Lubricating or greasing the join
may temporarily reduce the symptoms, but if the joint is the problem,
replacement is the long-term fix.

That said, I do not recommend that you ask a service department to check any
specific component in a vehicle unless you are positive that is the problem,
and you are willing to pay for the dealer to check that component regardless
of whether that component is good or bad.

When I recommend that a particular component be checked, I am assuming that
the person asking the question will be checking the component themselves.
If you are bringing the car somewhere for repair, then my advice is that you
describe exactly is happening, in as much detail as possible, what is going
on with the car and let the service department diagnose the condition and
make a recommendation for repair. For example, if they recommend replacing
the universal joint and the problem remains completely unaffected, then you
should not have to pay for the u-joint replacement, but if you ask them to
replace the u-joint and it doesn't cure the problem, then you should still
pay for the repair because they did what you asked.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
f06fe$4581b836$44a4a10d$21324@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Ghislain" <ghislaing@teksavvyDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:Btudnft69b9XMhzYnZ2dnUVZ_sKunZ2d@teksavvy.com...[color=green]
>> "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
>> 53235$458195a2$44a4a10d$20301@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> "Ghislain" <ghislaing@teksavvyDOTcom> wrote in message
>>> news:F9udnaWlKKRr9xzYnZ2dnUVZ_uyknZ2d@teksavvy.com...
>>>> My daughter's '97 Corolla power steering is rather stiff when it's
>>>> cold, e.g., 15°F or lower. It's fine after driving the car for 15-20
>>>> minutes. Would replacing the power steering oil make a difference or is
>>>> the stiffness caused by the rack and pinion?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks.
>>>
>>> There are a couple of possible causes for high steering effort.
>>> Replacing the power steering fluid may make a difference. Also check
>>> the condition of the universal joint on the steering column.
>>> --
>>>
>>> Ray O
>>> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]
>>
>>
>> If I ask the dealer to check that universal joint, they should know what
>> you meant? Is it inside or outside the car? I would assume that it's
>> outside since the inside gets warm within 5 minutes while the steering is
>> stiff for a lot longer (it slowly gets normal). Can it be lubricated?
>>[/color]
>
> If you ask the dealer's service department to check the universal joint on
> the steering column, they should know what it is. There is a u-joint in
> the engine compartment, and if the car has a tilt steering wheel, there
> will be one in the passenger compartment as well. Lubricating or greasing
> the join may temporarily reduce the symptoms, but if the joint is the
> problem, replacement is the long-term fix.
>
> That said, I do not recommend that you ask a service department to check
> any specific component in a vehicle unless you are positive that is the
> problem, and you are willing to pay for the dealer to check that component
> regardless of whether that component is good or bad.
>
> When I recommend that a particular component be checked, I am assuming
> that the person asking the question will be checking the component
> themselves. If you are bringing the car somewhere for repair, then my
> advice is that you describe exactly is happening, in as much detail as
> possible, what is going on with the car and let the service department
> diagnose the condition and make a recommendation for repair. For
> example, if they recommend replacing the universal joint and the problem
> remains completely unaffected, then you should not have to pay for the
> u-joint replacement, but if you ask them to replace the u-joint and it
> doesn't cure the problem, then you should still pay for the repair because
> they did what you asked.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]
I asked a service advisor and I was told that it could be the rack and
pinion, but that replacing the power steering oil might help. Since I have
no clue as to how one checks that joint, there isn't much that I can do
about it. Fortunately I believe that can trust that dealership.

"Ghislain" <ghislaing@teksavvyDOTcom> wrote in message
news:O6GdnUR2DdBsWRzYnZ2dnUVZ_rylnZ2d@teksavvy.com...[color=blue]
> "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
> f06fe$4581b836$44a4a10d$21324@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=green]
>>
>> "Ghislain" <ghislaing@teksavvyDOTcom> wrote in message
>> news:Btudnft69b9XMhzYnZ2dnUVZ_sKunZ2d@teksavvy.com...[color=darkred]
>>> "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
>>> 53235$458195a2$44a4a10d$20301@msgid.meganewsservers.com...
>>>>
>>>> "Ghislain" <ghislaing@teksavvyDOTcom> wrote in message
>>>> news:F9udnaWlKKRr9xzYnZ2dnUVZ_uyknZ2d@teksavvy.com...
>>>>> My daughter's '97 Corolla power steering is rather stiff when it's
>>>>> cold, e.g., 15°F or lower. It's fine after driving the car for 15-20
>>>>> minutes. Would replacing the power steering oil make a difference or
>>>>> is the stiffness caused by the rack and pinion?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>
>>>> There are a couple of possible causes for high steering effort.
>>>> Replacing the power steering fluid may make a difference. Also check
>>>> the condition of the universal joint on the steering column.
>>>> --
>>>>
>>>> Ray O
>>>> (correct punctuation to reply)
>>>
>>>
>>> If I ask the dealer to check that universal joint, they should know what
>>> you meant? Is it inside or outside the car? I would assume that it's
>>> outside since the inside gets warm within 5 minutes while the steering
>>> is stiff for a lot longer (it slowly gets normal). Can it be lubricated?
>>>[/color]
>>
>> If you ask the dealer's service department to check the universal joint
>> on the steering column, they should know what it is. There is a u-joint
>> in the engine compartment, and if the car has a tilt steering wheel,
>> there will be one in the passenger compartment as well. Lubricating or
>> greasing the join may temporarily reduce the symptoms, but if the joint
>> is the problem, replacement is the long-term fix.
>>
>> That said, I do not recommend that you ask a service department to check
>> any specific component in a vehicle unless you are positive that is the
>> problem, and you are willing to pay for the dealer to check that
>> component regardless of whether that component is good or bad.
>>
>> When I recommend that a particular component be checked, I am assuming
>> that the person asking the question will be checking the component
>> themselves. If you are bringing the car somewhere for repair, then my
>> advice is that you describe exactly is happening, in as much detail as
>> possible, what is going on with the car and let the service department
>> diagnose the condition and make a recommendation for repair. For
>> example, if they recommend replacing the universal joint and the problem
>> remains completely unaffected, then you should not have to pay for the
>> u-joint replacement, but if you ask them to replace the u-joint and it
>> doesn't cure the problem, then you should still pay for the repair
>> because they did what you asked.
>> --
>>
>> Ray O
>> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]
> I asked a service advisor and I was told that it could be the rack and
> pinion, but that replacing the power steering oil might help. Since I have
> no clue as to how one checks that joint, there isn't much that I can do
> about it. Fortunately I believe that can trust that dealership.[/color]

It sounds to me like the service advisor is just guessing at possible cures
for the problem. The steering shaft u-joint is visible in the engine
compartment, and if it is full of rust, it deserves closer scrutiny.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> a écrit dans le message de news:
a131b$4581c6ac$44a4a10d$21703@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Ghislain" <ghislaing@teksavvyDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:O6GdnUR2DdBsWRzYnZ2dnUVZ_rylnZ2d@teksavvy.com...[color=green]
>> "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
>> f06fe$4581b836$44a4a10d$21324@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> "Ghislain" <ghislaing@teksavvyDOTcom> wrote in message
>>> news:Btudnft69b9XMhzYnZ2dnUVZ_sKunZ2d@teksavvy.com...
>>>> "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
>>>> 53235$458195a2$44a4a10d$20301@msgid.meganewsservers.com...
>>>>>
>>>>> "Ghislain" <ghislaing@teksavvyDOTcom> wrote in message
>>>>> news:F9udnaWlKKRr9xzYnZ2dnUVZ_uyknZ2d@teksavvy.com...
>>>>>> My daughter's '97 Corolla power steering is rather stiff when it's
>>>>>> cold, e.g., 15°F or lower. It's fine after driving the car for 15-20
>>>>>> minutes. Would replacing the power steering oil make a difference or
>>>>>> is the stiffness caused by the rack and pinion?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>>
>>>>> There are a couple of possible causes for high steering effort.
>>>>> Replacing the power steering fluid may make a difference. Also check
>>>>> the condition of the universal joint on the steering column.
>>>>> --
>>>>>
>>>>> Ray O
>>>>> (correct punctuation to reply)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> If I ask the dealer to check that universal joint, they should know
>>>> what you meant? Is it inside or outside the car? I would assume that
>>>> it's outside since the inside gets warm within 5 minutes while the
>>>> steering is stiff for a lot longer (it slowly gets normal). Can it be
>>>> lubricated?
>>>>
>>>
>>> If you ask the dealer's service department to check the universal joint
>>> on the steering column, they should know what it is. There is a u-joint
>>> in the engine compartment, and if the car has a tilt steering wheel,
>>> there will be one in the passenger compartment as well. Lubricating or
>>> greasing the join may temporarily reduce the symptoms, but if the joint
>>> is the problem, replacement is the long-term fix.
>>>
>>> That said, I do not recommend that you ask a service department to check
>>> any specific component in a vehicle unless you are positive that is the
>>> problem, and you are willing to pay for the dealer to check that
>>> component regardless of whether that component is good or bad.
>>>
>>> When I recommend that a particular component be checked, I am assuming
>>> that the person asking the question will be checking the component
>>> themselves. If you are bringing the car somewhere for repair, then my
>>> advice is that you describe exactly is happening, in as much detail as
>>> possible, what is going on with the car and let the service department
>>> diagnose the condition and make a recommendation for repair. For
>>> example, if they recommend replacing the universal joint and the problem
>>> remains completely unaffected, then you should not have to pay for the
>>> u-joint replacement, but if you ask them to replace the u-joint and it
>>> doesn't cure the problem, then you should still pay for the repair
>>> because they did what you asked.
>>> --
>>>
>>> Ray O
>>> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]
>> I asked a service advisor and I was told that it could be the rack and
>> pinion, but that replacing the power steering oil might help. Since I
>> have no clue as to how one checks that joint, there isn't much that I can
>> do about it. Fortunately I believe that can trust that dealership.[/color]
>
> It sounds to me like the service advisor is just guessing at possible
> cures for the problem. The steering shaft u-joint is visible in the
> engine compartment, and if it is full of rust, it deserves closer
> scrutiny.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]
Thanks for your reply. I'll check out the u-joints myself before I get the
dealer to replace the power steering oil. The dealer is reluctant to replace
it because it apparently isn't required maintenance on a Toyota.