Power steering not working prolery

Tiny
KVONLUCAS
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 179,475 MILES
When I am making a hard turn or parking, the steering wheel doesn't want to return to the center by itself without me assisting it and it feels loose. And when I'm driving over bumps and when I'm going high speeds like 70, the steering wheel shakes. Is it my power steering rack or the inner tie rod ends?
Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 AT 1:16 PM

20 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening,

This sounds like the steering rack. The fact it does not return is the indicator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC4V6vmeAjE

I would have a shop inspect the front end for any loose or worn steering parts for the shaking. It could be the tie rod ends but needs to be confirmed.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/steering-wheel-shakes-when-accelerating-or-braking

Roy
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM
Tiny
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Thanks, it's not stiff or nothing. On normal steering it will return but like making a hard turn or making a park, it does that.
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 AT 3:37 PM
Tiny
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Okay, got it. Still the same. That sounds like the internals in the rack itself.

Roy
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 AT 3:58 PM
Tiny
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Okay and thanks.
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 11:17 PM
Tiny
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Saturday, December 14th, 2019 AT 2:18 AM
Tiny
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And also I had got an alignment and the steering still wanders a bit and when I drive over bumps and imperfections on the road, the steering wheel moves left and right. Bad power steering rack right? Tie rod ends are good.
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Sunday, February 16th, 2020 AT 6:23 PM
Tiny
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Did the alignment shop tell you that the rack is bad? If it is then it cannot be aligned properly.

Roy
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Sunday, February 16th, 2020 AT 6:26 PM
Tiny
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No they didn't.
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Sunday, February 16th, 2020 AT 6:30 PM
Tiny
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They didn't say anything wrong with the rack.
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Sunday, February 16th, 2020 AT 10:33 PM
Tiny
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I would get a second opinion.

Did they give you a copy of the alignment specs after it was completed?

Roy
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Monday, February 17th, 2020 AT 3:19 AM
Tiny
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Yes, they did.
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Monday, February 17th, 2020 AT 12:08 PM
Tiny
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Can you post those specs so I can see them?

Roy
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Monday, February 17th, 2020 AT 12:09 PM
Tiny
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I have to find the paper but they were within specs. I had seen it.
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Monday, February 17th, 2020 AT 12:27 PM
Tiny
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I would like to see the specs, both front, and rear.

Roy
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Monday, February 17th, 2020 AT 12:31 PM
Tiny
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I had lost the paper but they were within specs. I had replaced the rack, tie rod ends, ball joint, and I replaced the intermediate steering shaft and the steering wheel still wobbles over bumps. What else could be the problem? And it still doesn't want to return to center when I make a hard left or right and when I park. I have to steer it into center. What else could be the problem?
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Monday, March 16th, 2020 AT 2:23 PM
Tiny
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The reason I ask is because the caster is what allows the wheel to return by itself. If it is off, this will be the result.

If the caster is good then it points right at the rack itself.

Roy
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Monday, March 16th, 2020 AT 2:31 PM
Tiny
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Is it where the shocks and struts be at or it's something else. I do have worn struts and it's clunking.
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Monday, March 16th, 2020 AT 2:52 PM
Tiny
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It is an angle for the front suspension. That is why I needed to see the results.

They cannot align a car if you have bad struts or mounts. That would make it totally inaccurate.

Roy
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Monday, March 16th, 2020 AT 2:55 PM
Tiny
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Oh, okay. I have to find the paper. But it was doing the same thing even with the old rack I had too.
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Monday, March 16th, 2020 AT 3:03 PM
Tiny
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Okay, I read that too. That tells me you have a front end issue.

Roy
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Monday, March 16th, 2020 AT 3:11 PM

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