Stiff Power Steering On 1991 Camry

[JOET/CAMRY]

Hello,

My girlfriend has a 1991 camry 4 cyl. with 140,000 miles on it. The car recently developed a stiff steering problem. I checked the fluid level and realised it had the (standard) clear power steering fluid in it instead of tranny fluid like the Camry owners manual recomends. She bought this car about 7 months and the power steering was fine up until now.

Would the wrong type of fluid cause this stiff steering problem even though it has been ok for about 7 months (maybe more) with the wrong fluid?

How do I go about flushing the clear fluid out so I can put in the correct Dexron 3 auto tranny fluid?

Do you think any permanent damage has been done to the power steering system as a result of the wrong fluid?

Thank You.
JOET/CAMRY

[93celicaconv]

Sounds like you have several concerns wrapped into this single thread.

Before worrying about the type of power steering fluid currently in your system, tell me more about the stiff steering. Is it stiff all the time, at all steering wheel positions? Or does it only become stiff at only a couple of steering positions?

Here is a suggestion - jack the car up from underneath the engine crossmember (you will see a location to put your floor jack lift on) to get the wheels off the ground. When elevated, turn the ignition to the "ON" position (to unlock your steering column), but do not turn the engine on. Then slowly turn the steering wheel to far left, then far right, then back and forth again. Is the effort needed to turn the steering wheel uniform across the entire travel, or does it get noticeably harder in a few spots?

[JOET/CAMRY]

93celicaconv

Sounds like you have several concerns wrapped into this single thread.

Before worrying about the type of power steering fluid currently in your system, tell me more about the stiff steering.

Is it stiff all the time, at all steering wheel positions? Or does it only become stiff at only a couple of steering positions?

The steering is stiff all the time, from lock to lock.

Here is a suggestion - jack the car up from underneath the engine crossmember (you will see a location to put your floor jack lift on) to get the wheels off the ground. When elevated, turn the ignition to the "ON" position (to unlock your steering column), but do not turn the engine on. Then slowly turn the steering wheel to far left, then far right, then back and forth again. Is the effort needed to turn the steering wheel uniform across the entire travel, or does it get noticeably harder in a few spots?

I'll do this test and see if it makes a difference. Thanks. I plan on flushing the power steering system to get the current fluid out (which is the wrong type) and put in the proper fluid. Hopefully this will fix the problem. will post back with the results.

JOET/CAMRY

[idmetro]

Not to be a wet blanket here but I too have a 91 Camry and my power steering had developed a slow leak, my oldest son topped it off several times with power steering fluid rather than the needed Dexron. To make a long story short the pump failed, the steering got hard and nothing I did revived it. I have no hard and fast proof but I think the generic power steering fluid dramatically accelerated the pump failure. Brace yourself for likely pump replacement, shorty wrenches, a socket u-joint (wobbly) and much patience will make the job less painful.

[JOET/CAMRY]

Originally Posted by JOET/CAMRY

I plan on flushing the power steering system to get the current fluid out (which is the wrong type) and put in the proper fluid. Hopefully this will fix the problem. will post back with the results.

JOET/CAMRY

Well, I flushed out the (clear) power steering fluid and replaced it with the proper dexron 3 auto. tranny fluid and the steering didn't improve. It's difficult to turn the steering wheel every half a turn. I'm not sure weather the rack and pinion is shot or if the power steering pump is failing. I heard that the steering shaft universal joint could be binding up and need oiling but to me doesn't seem likely. Back to the drawing board.

JOET/CAMRY

[Mike Gerber]

"I heard that the steering shaft universal joint could be binding up and need oiling"

Try it. You have little to lose and it only takes a couple of minutes. If that does cure the problem, plan on replacing that universal joint very soon.

Mike

[JOET/CAMRY]

Originally Posted by JOET/CAMRY

Well, I flushed out the (clear) power steering fluid and replaced it with the proper dexron 3 auto. tranny fluid and the steering didn't improve. It's difficult to turn the steering wheel every half a turn. I'm not sure weather the rack and pinion is shot or if the power steering pump is failing. I heard that the steering shaft universal joint could be binding up and need oiling but to me doesn't seem likely. Back to the drawing board.

JOET/CAMRY

Update.....

It has been approx. 2 weeks since I flushed the wrong power steering fluid out and replaced it with the proper dexron 3 tranny fluid. On May 8th. I drove the car and the steering is back to normal. Hopefully it stays this way.

JOET/CAMRY

[idmetro]

EXCELLENT! Thanks for the update, it's always nice to hear good results.