Hi I took my car to the Toyota dealership for service for my Camry. It is a new dealership because I moved.
The symptoms of the car was that it was wiggly on highway speeds and veering a bit to the left. Basically, the steering wheel felt odd, like I could control it. It felt kind of like a video game where the wheel turns a lot more than it should and on its own, plus my car almost went into different lanes.
The mechanic corrected the alignment and rotated the tires. He said the alignment was off.
But when I got my car back, I could just feel that the steering was odd, even though they had me drive another Camry.
Well yesterday I was on the highway and my car was wiggling again. I slowed down to 40mph in the slow lane because I got so scared.
What could be causing this? They told me it must be the highway pavement. The highway does look a bit battered, but I have driven across country and NEVER had this problem.
Thank you for any help.
2007-05-17 10:23:08 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
they said the steering components looked healthy, but that there was one thing in the steering which squeeked. and since i didnt notice the squeeking sound (i cant hear any squeeking at all i even pressed my ear to it) then it should not be fixed. it would be a waste to fix, they said... is it possible this component should be fixed?
2007-05-17 10:33:47 · update #1
If wheels alignment is ok, you have probably some problems with steering mechanical aid. Perhaps too much steering oil in the steering oil pump.
2007-05-23 05:08:21 · answer #1 · answered by littlewolfit 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would probably find another dealer and explain to them that the steering feels loose.
Dont take this the wrong way but you dont really sound like a do it yourself type so heres something really easy with no tools.
Put the vehicle in a position that a second person can see both front tires, they may have to lay down. With the vehicle running in PARK and the steering wheel centered rock the steering wheel an inch left then right repeating and moving further left and right. The idea is for the second person to be able to see the response in the tires.It will take a little communication between the two doing this -slow/faster/small or larger rocking movement.
If one side isnt responding like the other you have a problem. Could be an outter tie-rod end and depending on the steering rack you could have inner tie rod ends or inner tie rod bushings. I believe the camry has inner tie rod ends.
This is the only advice I have without tools. It cant rule out a problem either but it can confirm one without a lot of effort or tools.
2007-05-17 20:19:38 · answer #2 · answered by motherof2boys 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let's break this down.
After the alignment and tire rotation did the behaviour change? If it did not then we can rule those out as culprits. If the behavior did change then a tire issue, perhaps a ply-separation is likely. Did they check the balance on the tires?
Does this behavior happen at particular speeds?
Does it always happen on the same stretch of pavement or just about anywhere?
Hard to diagnose long distance but I have some theories. Broken front stabilizer bar end links are a possibility. One or more blown struts is another. The stabilizer links if broken will be easy to spot. The struts may show no external signs.
2007-05-17 17:44:21 · answer #3 · answered by Naughtums 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Worn pitman arm.
You should see a better mechanic before you loose ALL steering.
ADDED:
The Pitman arm is a steering component in an automobile or truck.
The Pitman arm is a linkage attached to the steering box (see recirculating ball) sector shaft, that converts the angular motion of the sector shaft into the linear motion needed to steer the wheels. The Pitman arm is supported by the sector shaft and supports the drag link with a ball joint. It transmits the motion it receives from the steering box into the drag link, causing it to move left or right to turn the wheels in the appropriate direction. The idler arm is attached between the opposite side of the centre link from the Pitman arm and the vehicle's frame to hold the centre link at the proper height.
2007-05-17 17:27:22 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Your Camry doesn't have a pitman arm,it has rack and pinion,a very precise arrangement.Having been reassured by a competent mechanic that the parts involved are OK,that leaves the tires.Have the front and rear tires switched.If that makes a difference,there is probably one of them with internal damage,causing the instability.
2007-05-17 17:54:26 · answer #5 · answered by wildmanny2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your car doiesnt have a pitman arm that guy has no clue. you probably got tire issues take it to a tire shop like goodyear they will fix you right up
2007-05-23 02:04:05 · answer #6 · answered by calan d 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have ur tires rotated and balanced... the tires might be out of balance so try that or u can also get new tires also
2007-05-23 20:29:04 · answer #7 · answered by franklin r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would have to say a worn cv joint or they didnt balance the tires or the place you took it to didnt know what they were doin
2007-05-25 17:18:49 · answer #8 · answered by pursche185 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋