toyota corolla 2003 stiff steering

[Jeroen]

Hi Guys,

The following problem has been annoying me for some time now so i like to take a better look into it.

I have this car for about a year now and before that it had been sitting for 2 years after the previous owner passed away.

I experience the following problem: The steering is a bit stiff/sticky around the “center/straight” mark. I already mentioned this at the dealership some months ago and they suggested an alignment. Since it was probable years ago since the car had an alignment i figured this would be a good idea anyway so i let them do the alignment. Unfortunately this problem remained after the alignment. On my previous cars i could easily steer (little adjustments) with 1 hand/ a few fingers when cruising down the free-way. With this car it steers normally in big corners but when making little adjustments when driving +- straight the steering-wheel seems to stick a bit. You need to put a bit of extra force on it to turn it. (turning it the same amount while it is already turned requires noticeably less force)

What would be a good starting point to diagnose/solve this problem? I was thinking to maybe replace the power-steering-fluid. Would this be a good idea? Should i check other things first? (it has been aligned not so long ago)

Thanks in advance

Perre

Topic

[Lord Ihcalam]

it might be normal for that car. i dont know what you would call stiff, but you can always change the fluid. suck out the reservoir and replace the fluid, it wont replace all of it but its the easiest way i have found to do this. make sure to use factory recommended fluid.

[EricTheCarGuy]

To me it sounds like a power steering rack problem. I’d check the fluid just to be sure but the symptoms you describe are almost text book PS rack issue.

[Jeroen]

Hi guys,

I found a clip on youtube from someone who has the same problem and he made a video about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-iszrNpFBs

You can have a better idea what i’m talking about if you see this. When reading the comments to this video it seems there are more toyota’s with this behaviour…

@eric/other experienced mech’s: what would a power steering rack problem mean exactly? How can i diagnose that it is in fact that? And what would the repair procedure be? (which parts to replace?)

Thanks in advance

Perre

[EricTheCarGuy]

The only other thing I can think it could be is perhaps a U joint issue. I’ve run into an issue like this before. You could try disconnecting the U joint from the rack and checking for binding but other than that you’d need to replace the rack to repair the issue.

[Mathieu]

On my Toyota I had some problem when I turn to the left. I felt some resistance a bite. So I change my power steering oil and It’s drive like new. If the fluid It’s not for your car I have the repair Manuel for the Toyota 2004. I will give you the steering part.

How to change and adjust the steering rack video
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDhnrS1Y96w[/video]

Attachments:

• symptoms.pdf
• steeringcolumn1.pdf
• steeringcolumn2.pdf
• repair.pdf
• onvehicleinspection.pdf
• rackandpinion2.pdf
• rackandpinion1.pdf

[Jeroen]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the input. Haven(t had time to get cracking at this but i now have some got starting points.

@eric: i was just now browsing through your videos and found the u-joint video which you also recommended. Seeing how it behaves that might well be the problem.

@plasmide56: thanks a lot for the sheets: these will come in super handy 🙂

I’ll start of with the power steering fluid change and a visual inspection of the steering shaft and u-joints and go from there. (it will probably be a few weeks before i have enough time to start on it but i’ll keep you guys posted when i do 🙂

Thanks

Perre

[college man]

sounds like a plan.keep us posted. 🙂

[Jeroen]

Hi guys,

Just a quick question regarding this problem. I wanted to replace the powersteering fluid (since this is routine maintenance it would be a good idea to do this anyway). I found information/a manual on the toyota website where there is a picture of the engine compartment with a powersteering fluid reservoir in the upper left corner of the engine bay. Unfortunately this reservoir is not present in my car. (i can make a picture if anyone likes to see it) So i’m a bit stuck on how to replace the power steering fluid.

Could the car have electrical power steering instead of hydraulic powersteering? Or have they revised the setup somehow without a reservoir? If so: can you still replace the powersteeringfluid and if yes: how?

Thanks

Perre

ps: since i only drive this car for about 2000 miles a year i haven’t yet done much about this problem over the last year.

[Mathieu]

The electrical power steering in located behind your steering wheel and weld you to push the fluid inside the rack. The electric motor will to use but can be deactivate when you batteries is too low with the p/s symbol lighted up. Old power steering use fluid pump driven by the serpentine belt (the air conditioning belt) that last less longer then the electric counterpart.

See the video below to change your power steering fluid. You just need to jack up your car.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b8ENYfd2Xo[/video]

[Jeroen]

Hey Plasmide56,

Thanks for the info. The problem I’m having is not that i don’t know how to replace the power-steering fluid. (I found plenty of good video’s like the one you suggested) But I don’t seem to have a power-steering-fluid-reservoir…

I took a few pictures so you can see what i mean.

I have a haynes-manual and a out-take of a toyota manual that both state (with pictures) that the reservoir should be in the left-rear corner of the engine-compartment but as you can see in the pictures there is no reservoir.

Any idea’s where I might find the reservoir? Or is there a different procedure to change the fluid on this specific model?

Thanks

Attachments:

• IMAG0734.jpg
• IMAG0733.jpg

[Bret]

Find your power steering pump and run the lines back and that should lead to your reservoir if you dont have 1 that could be a problem

[Bret]

Heres a video that might help its even a toyota (camry or a corolla i think) so could indicate a issue with toyotas steering racks

[Mathieu]

You have an electric power steering. That is why you have no power steering reservoir.

[Lorrin Barth]

Have you had the alignment checked?

[Mathieu]

You can lubricate the direction joint to have less stiff steering. The bolt join and the rack joint are the 2 joint that can affect the steering. You can use graphite spray that resist a wide range of temperature.

Be carful to covert your brake rotor with paper before spray the 2 joint. Ortherwise, you will not be aible to brake as usual.

[Author]

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