Camry - Steering problem

2003 Camry LE / 153,000 miles

Problem - Steering feels stiff and when you make a sharp turn it doesn't recenter, have to pull it back. Also seems a bit harder to turn it right than left.

History - Couple weeks back the serpentine belt broke and wife drove car home, about 10 miles. Engine overheated but seemed fine after I installed the new belt. She reported the steering was stiff a couple of days later (Not sure how bad it was, I didn't get a chance to drive it). Then the next day she said it was back to normal. Yesterday she brought it home saying it was stiff again, I drove it and found what I described above.

Checked PS fluid and it is to level and appears to be circulating in reservoir, no squealing from pump.

Lubed universal joints on steering shaft but no effect.

At this point I am assuming this is a bad steering rack, but would like some opinions and possible suggestions before I change it.

Thanks for any help.

Haze

Have you ever replaced the power steering fluid? If not, try that first. Also, there may just be air trapped in the system.

Thanks Brian,

Flushed PS fluid,

Extended reservoir return with plastic tubing into bucket, and cranked steering side to side while filling reservoir until fluid was changed.

Then cranked engine to verify that pump was working, and topped off reservoir.

Steering seems better but still sticks a little and is slow returning to center coming out of a tight turn.

Could it be that the pump is worn and not providing sufficient pressure?

If the pump operates the rack normally most of the time, it is unlikely that the pump is faulty for low pressure. The pressure regulator may be sticking. Also, there may be varnish or junk binding in the rack. I would give the new fluid some time (weeks) to maybe clean out the system. ATF is really high in detergent content and may be able to clean the system. Is it possible your steering column is binding?

Been a long time since I posted this problem, but felt I should post the solution in case anyone reads this thread.

Turned out to be a stiff universal joint on the steering shaft (in engine compartment just below where it exits the firewall).

First sprayed it with WD-40, which penetrated and lossened up the U-joint, and the steering was fine.

However, it would stiffen up again in a couple days.

Then found out WD-40 does not lubricate well for the long term.

I then sprayed U-joint with a silicone spray and it has been fine for the last four years.

I just spray it once or twice a year (when I remember)

Car has over 235,000 miles now.

Been a long time since I posted this problem, but felt I should post the solution in case anyone reads this thread.

Turned out to be a stiff universal joint on the steering shaft (in engine compartment just below where it exits the firewall).

First sprayed it with WD-40, which penetrated and lossened up the U-joint, and the steering was fine.

However, it would stiffen up again in a couple days.

Then found out WD-40 does not lubricate well for the long term.

I then sprayed U-joint with a silicone spray and it has been fine for the last four years.

I just spray it once or twice a year (when I remember)

Car has over 235,000 miles now.
Thanks for posting the solution. They changed the intermediate shaft on my 2004 under a factory recall and it does work as of now.

I have read few threads on toyotanation about lubrication of the intermediate shaft. That what actually you did.

Good job,
Sam