Steering feels light/weird any ideas.
- Thread starter Corey_gt
- Start date
corofin12345
Member +
all that is the easy part but actually trying to get it out past the gearbox and that is a bitch.. escpeially if ya have a oem lsd. it will come tho after alot of cursing.. you can use ATF to refill
Texx
Super Moderator
I would doubt the fluid is causing the problem, but it's certainly not a bad idea to flush and refill the system with fresh fluid. Make some effort to drain the old fluid from the steering rack and suction chamber of the pump before refilling the system.
Also whilst you've got the system drained it would be prudent to check the flow control valve in the pump.
You'll need to remove the union bolt and pressure feed pipe from the top of the pump
Then remove the pressure port union, flow control valve and compression spring
Then check the condition of the valve and spring. If the valve doesn't drop into the hole very easily, then soak a scouring pad or scotch pad in some ATF and give both the valve and valve hole a light polish and see if it's any better.
If you don't find a problem and considering no play can be found in any suspension/steering components then the problem may possibly be in the rack. There might be a blockage or some wear around the fluid return port at the base of the pinion. The dark/dirty appearance of the fluid is something to be a little concerned about, the fluid isn't subject to any extreme temperatures so won't burn like ATF would in an auto transmission. The most likely cause for the fluid discolouration would be the deterioration of the inner walls of PS rubber hoses, the seals in the pump or rack or possibly the dreaded teflon rings on the pinion shaft.
Also whilst you've got the system drained it would be prudent to check the flow control valve in the pump.
You'll need to remove the union bolt and pressure feed pipe from the top of the pump
Then remove the pressure port union, flow control valve and compression spring
Then check the condition of the valve and spring. If the valve doesn't drop into the hole very easily, then soak a scouring pad or scotch pad in some ATF and give both the valve and valve hole a light polish and see if it's any better.
If you don't find a problem and considering no play can be found in any suspension/steering components then the problem may possibly be in the rack. There might be a blockage or some wear around the fluid return port at the base of the pinion. The dark/dirty appearance of the fluid is something to be a little concerned about, the fluid isn't subject to any extreme temperatures so won't burn like ATF would in an auto transmission. The most likely cause for the fluid discolouration would be the deterioration of the inner walls of PS rubber hoses, the seals in the pump or rack or possibly the dreaded teflon rings on the pinion shaft.
dark_knight
Member +
good one
good one Texx! you should be a teacher..
good one Texx! you should be a teacher..
dac69er
Super Moderator
im my case i changed the pump completely and the problem was still there so that rules that out.
just upgraded to GT brakes and should be MOT'ing it next week so will check it while its on the ramp to see if any of the suspension components look iffy.
can the steering racks be reconditioned? i would rather get my rack reconned as buying another second hand one may only give me a few years before that gives up too!?
just upgraded to GT brakes and should be MOT'ing it next week so will check it while its on the ramp to see if any of the suspension components look iffy.
can the steering racks be reconditioned? i would rather get my rack reconned as buying another second hand one may only give me a few years before that gives up too!?
Texx
Super Moderator
Strip, clean, inspect and reassemble is probably as far as you'd need to go. The rack assembly is quite robust and generally doesn't give much trouble. If any wear is found on the rack, pinion shaft or housing then it's generally beyond economical repair.
There is a full gasket kit for the power rack listed in the EPC, but you'd need to check with Toyota whether it's still available.
You could speak to someone such as Western Power Steering and get a cost to rebuild one or the price of a reconditioned rack if they have one available.
There is a full gasket kit for the power rack listed in the EPC, but you'd need to check with Toyota whether it's still available.
You could speak to someone such as Western Power Steering and get a cost to rebuild one or the price of a reconditioned rack if they have one available.
Captain Starlet
Member +
If it was the rack then your alignment would never be correct as soon as you drove off ramp will be thrown out.
A mean it could simply be just the alignment out. I wouldnt bother with the whole £40 jobby just yet get a free front toe alignment check from most tyre garages since the front toe only adjustable on these cars it can do the trick. I have a thread somewhere on here with the correct procedure for front wheel alignments anything different then it will be incorrectly done and pointless.
Have you checked all bushes when car ficed on ground as opposed to jacked up?
what cold pressure are you putting into your tyres i.e when they have travelled less than 5-10 miles?
A mean it could simply be just the alignment out. I wouldnt bother with the whole £40 jobby just yet get a free front toe alignment check from most tyre garages since the front toe only adjustable on these cars it can do the trick. I have a thread somewhere on here with the correct procedure for front wheel alignments anything different then it will be incorrectly done and pointless.
Have you checked all bushes when car ficed on ground as opposed to jacked up?
what cold pressure are you putting into your tyres i.e when they have travelled less than 5-10 miles?
Texx
Super Moderator
If there were no play or wear found in the pinion gear, rack, rack guide, track rods or track rod ends then the wheel alignment wouldn't be affected, however if there was any abnormal restriction in the fluid return path between the control valve and fluid return outlet of the steering rack housing it would cause the fluid pressure to back up inside the rack. This back pressure would increase the level of power assistance felt when turning the steering wheel.
dark_knight
Member +
reconditioning steering racks
i'm sure they can be reconditioned but i'm just not sure if it would be worth it buying all the separate components to replace in yours. steering racks seldom break down unless the car was thoroughly abused so you could always look out for a breaker and check it out. most times, the problem is further down the steering system; steering knuckles , tie-rod ends and the likes..
i'm sure they can be reconditioned but i'm just not sure if it would be worth it buying all the separate components to replace in yours. steering racks seldom break down unless the car was thoroughly abused so you could always look out for a breaker and check it out. most times, the problem is further down the steering system; steering knuckles , tie-rod ends and the likes..