Are you losing PS fluid? My dealer has been telling me for years that my 2006 Camry LE has a leaking rack, but the level of PS fluid never goes down. So if there is a leak, it is microscopic. My service advisor at the dealership just told me to monitor the fluid, and if it starts to really go down, then think about replacement. As I said, this has been years now. If you're not experiencing any noise when you turn the wheel, or if the level of fluid is pretty stable, or even if you have to add a bit of fluid from time to time, that's still cheaper than the replacement cost. I also checked with an independent tire store that I trust, and their price was about $700-800 to replace with a reman versus the same dealership price that you got.
Of course my Camry only has about 90,000, so my experience may not be comparable.

 

Thanks Marvf44. The power steering fluid is still above the "min" level. I get a slight vibration at highway speeds (above 75) that is only noticeable when holding the steering wheel. In other words, the steering wheel itself does not vibrate and the vehicle tracks straight.

I would buy the reman. unit and have my mechanic install it. The dealer didn't even push to do the work because of the high cost. I plan to pass the car to my daughter in a few months when she gets her license. I'd like to have everything working properly.

 

Vibration could be from alignment or possible issues with the tie rod ends.

Sometimes if you got worn tie rod (inneror outer) and they see a bit of power steering (ATF) fluid, they might opt for a rack replacement to take care of everything. I would monitor the fluid level and see how it goes. Unless they found something else internal to the rack and not just the tie rod ends, you should be okay.

 

I understand. I gave my 2006 to my son and told him that if he ever needs to replace the rack, I will cover it. So I know where you're coming from. Good luck.
FYI I had a 1988 Camry 4 cyl with around 190,000 on it, and I sold it to my gardener for $1400 in 2002. It's probably still going!

 

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Yeah, you need to make sure the rack itself is bad before replacing it. Vibration may be from other sources like rotors, wheel bearings, tie rods or even tires and alignment. I'd get a second opinion first.

 

Second opinion is very wise. And I would not pay the dealer to do it, unless you have excess money you need to spend You can buy the rack (if it is bad) for WAY less on-line - I believe I see an OEM one for $658. Does take a bit of labor, but if you are handy and adventurous you could do it yourself.

 

During my inspection a few weeks ago, I had my mechanic check the suspension. He agreed that the rack will need to be replaced at some point. I would have my mechanic install the new (remanufactured) rack, not the dealer. Not that adventurous nor do I have the tools to handle something like this. The Service advisor didn't even try to push this repair on me once he saw the price. He just let me know that it would need to be done at some point.

Like I mentioned before i'm passing this car to my daughter in a few months, I'll repair it.

Thanks everyone.

 

If you have the power to do it yourself I'd recommend it.


I have done this twice so far my on wife's 07' Solara. First time was just shy of three years ago. Somehow the right boot got torn and then shit got into it (dirt grime..etc). Then it started leaking.


I went to rock auto and picked up the A1car parts remanufactured one. I think it was $300. It's not hard replacing but it's just a little time consuming. I have a lift in my garage so luckily I wasn't on jackstands... IF I didn't have a lift then I would have paid someone to do it more likely than not.


Fast forward to last week and I noticed that there was fluid on the driveway. My wife tells me that when she starts the car it makes a noise... continues to drive it for a couple days after telling her not to drive it. Looked under the hood and sure enough power steering fluid is low. I check out the rack and this time there was a small hole on the driver side boot but I could hear fluid on the passenger side boot when I would move it... so regardless the entire thing was leaking fluid.


I warrantied it through rockauto so pretty much paid $8 to get a new one. Just installed a few days ago and got it aligned today. I'm currently driving it to make sure all is well.


I believe when she had it at the shop the first time it happened they quoted something like $1500 for install/part/alignment.


If you are good with a wrench then it's not bad, things are cramped in places and you have to remove/move the front sway bar and endlinks to be able to slip out the rack.


EDIT: I see you are having the mechanic do it. No worries! Keep receipts and make sure they warranty the part for an amount of time. I know on my rack it was I believe 36k or 3 years, which ever comes first.


-Nigel

 

I got the same "warning" at my latest dealer OC....

I'll just keep an eye on the fluid level, cold and hot....when it drops below the MIN level, I'll add an ounce...that's about all it'll likely take to get it up between MIN and MAX....a lot cheaper than a new "rack"....BTW....same for adding crankcase oil as far as I'm concerned...

The only fluid drop I'd consider "critical" and "urgent" to repair would be brake fluid and water level (in the reservoir) that occur drop quickly and don't stay above MIN level for a sustained period of time (months).

...and while at checking levels....don't forget to occasionally (1x/month) check air PSI in the tires.

 

find AT-205 add 1/2 bottle to ps fluid and it will stop leak.

 

For that high-speed vibration, I'd first get my wheels rebalanced before doing anything else. I don't know where you bought your most recent tires, but at Costco (and Sams Club), it's lifetime free rotation and balancing. Many suspension parts are replaced unnecessarily trying to track down a simple wheel balance issue.

 

Just had the tires rotated last weekend. All is still the same at the same speed. I'll get a bottle of Dexron III and keep an eye on the fluid level. From what I'm hearing, this is a case if I'm not having real issues with steering, monitoring it is fine.

thanks everyone.

 

Not rotated -- BALANCED. Are you sure they rebalanced them?

 

scubacat _ No they did not balance the tires but I got your message. I've had tires that were out of balanced and this vibration is nothing like that. Also there was no change when the tires were rotated. I'm assuming the vibration would have followed the out of balance tire?

Again, the leak was verified by the dealership and my mechanic as I posted in the original message. The good thing is replacing the steering rack is not as imperative as I thought. I have other things I can do with that money.

 

It depends on which, and where. It's often hard to isolate, or maybe more than one is out of balance.

We have a minivan that had a vibration years ago (due to a rogue curb the wife tried to fight with, if you catch my drift..) It turned out that both the front and back passenger-side tires were WAY out of balance. Thus, rotating front to back would have just swapped two tires that were out of balance and the vibration would have persisted the same way.

I get what you're saying and I won't beat this dead horse after this time, and you may indeed have the power steering rack issue, but I really would suggest getting your tires balanced before going farther on the vibration issue. It's along the lines of checking tranny fluid first if you have any shifting issues, or even checking fuel level and your battery if you have starting issues. Lots of people overlook that and replace things unnecessarily only to eventually find out that a simple tire rebalance was all that was needed. If they're only a little out of balance, you could only notice it when you hold the steering wheel, as you said. And, if it's only at higher speeds, that's again a clue to a balance issue.

Anyway.... Good luck, and please let us know the outcome!

 

I appreciate the advice scubacat. Since there is no rush to get the rack replaced, i can take it to the tire shop and have them balance the tires. Simple maintenance.

 

You can check to see if online dealerships or TN site sponsors can get you a good deal on a reman rack in a Toyota box and have your shop install it. Otherwise I'd pick one with lifetime warranty from a local shop in case you need to replace it (but labor extra). Many aftermarket racks can be a crapshoot.

I'd also consider a lifetime alignment from a reputable tire franchise store. Make sure they'll honor it even with parts replacement.

My take is that the rack is leaking from the seals at the ends (periodic fluid siphon-refill can delay this), and that the fluid is leaking past the inner tie rod dust boots.