Prev: Amsoil
Next: Hacking the 2007 Camry
From: geronimo on 18 Jun 2007 10:01
About 3 months ago I replaced the worn-out steering rack on my 88
camry wagon with a rebuilt unit. It was fine for about six weeks. Then
I noticed it getting a "dead-zone"/play in the steering wheel. 2 weeks
ago the power steering went out all together...but it was not
sudden.... over a period of days it just got stiffer and stiffer,
until there is no p/s at all now. Also the "deadband"/play is getting
worse, there is about 5 in. of slop in the steering wheel now. The
fluid level is still normal, hasn't leaked any. Also the belt and
pulley are working fine. THe pulley IS turning. The coupling to the
steering column looks fine also. The steering has not, and is not,
making the slightest noise.

I guess I was sold a defective steering rack (from rockauto.com)?
How do I check whether or not the pump is still pumping? The
hydraulic lines at reservoir are a bit too stiff to tell anything by
squeezing them. Come to think of it, since the reservoir cap is not
sealed tight for high pressure, I guess there is not normally any
pressure to those two lines. Thanks, Geronimo



From: Daniel on 19 Jun 2007 11:19
geronimo wrote:
> About 3 months ago I replaced the worn-out steering rack on my 88
> camry wagon with a rebuilt unit. It was fine for about six weeks.
===
Try genuine Toyota remanufactured or wrecking yard used.
I don't have much confidence in many aftermarket "rebuilt" units.

From: johngdole on 23 Jun 2007 23:38
For things like this I always go my local NAPA. Rebuilt PS rack uses
steel bushings instead of aluminum and should actually be better than
new when done right. Blue-light special aftermarket parts can be
problematic. Of course people can always buy Toyota rebuilts which I
never used. IMO a good rebuilt works just as well without the
premium.

But besides the gear box, you have to make sure the mounting and tie
rod ball joints are in good shape and not contributing to the free-
play. If everything else is tight and the pump pressure is OK, then
you need to return the gear box otherwise it's a safety hazard.

Here is a link to test a Chrysler pump:
http://www.imperialclub.com/Repair/Steering/pressure.htm

This one talks about free-play:
http://www.tpub.com/content/construction/14273/css/14273_320.htm



On Jun 18, 7:01 am, geronimo <Jam...(a)grandecom.net> wrote:
> About 3 months ago I replaced the worn-out steering rack on my 88
> camry wagon with a rebuilt unit. It was fine for about six weeks. Then
> I noticed it getting a "dead-zone"/play in the steering wheel. 2 weeks
> ago the power steering went out all together...but it was not
> sudden.... over a period of days it just got stiffer and stiffer,
> until there is no p/s at all now. Also the "deadband"/play is getting
> worse, there is about 5 in. of slop in the steering wheel now. The
> fluid level is still normal, hasn't leaked any. Also the belt and
> pulley are working fine. THe pulley IS turning. The coupling to the
> steering column looks fine also. The steering has not, and is not,
> making the slightest noise.
>
> I guess I was sold a defective steering rack (from rockauto.com)?
> How do I check whether or not the pump is still pumping? The
> hydraulic lines at reservoir are a bit too stiff to tell anything by
> squeezing them. Come to think of it, since the reservoir cap is not
> sealed tight for high pressure, I guess there is not normally any
> pressure to those two lines. Thanks, Geronimo


 | 
Pages: 1
Prev: Amsoil
Next: Hacking the 2007 Camry