There is a leak on the power steering rack. The seal where the rubber
boot meets the metal shaft is where it looks like it's leaking. On
average, how much would a typical garage charge for such a repair? Is
the repair simple? If I could reach it I would try to tighten the
clasp. Or install one of those claps rings that need a screwdriver to
make it as tight as one would want.
You are so full of shit. Toyota is hardly strong in that area. A
friend of mine with a camry in Minnesota had the steering rack fail
once the boot tore away as she was parking it. If you read the book
"Lemon Aid" there are other models of Toy's on there that have that
same problem of steering racks leaking prematurely far before 75,000
miles.
Not to mention all the other glitches like the infamous V6 oil sludge
problem on all V6 Toys. The newer V6 5speed auto set up even used in
Toys Lexus line "drive by wire" has a serious flaw that toyota still
can not correct with any software update in the world.
For those of us living on the sun belt. Toyota hardly offers an A/C
pump that works sufficiently enough. And so said owners have to suffer
or readapt to inadequate A/C each summer. GM takes all the credit in
using the best most powerful/efficient A/C compressors.
Toyotas are hardly the brand to turn to for reliability. Plus the only
jap car I would ever consider driving is a Subaru. Only the best all
wheel drive system on earth with the horizontaly opposed 4 banger.
As for now, Ford makes the most reliable American cars out there.
Not to mention the problem toyota has been having with it's Prius. The
smaller battery would rapidly loose it's charge when parked and said
owners would be stranded.
The newer Celica is also reported to have problems with its 4 cylinder
engine blowing it's head gasket when new. There's a reason why people
stoped buying the celica. The interior is butt ugly with the GT front
seats with mismatching colors. The back seat also never improved in
it's austere type of look. Only existing to lower the insurance rates.
Probably just bad luck. I've never had a rack fail in 30 years of driving
vehicles with power assisted rack and pinion steering gear (includes VW,
Honda, Ford, Nissan, and Mazda products). I suppose if you added the wrong
fluid you could be responsible, but that seems unlikely. Operating in very
cold climates might be a factor, but I doubt it (should have been part of
the design). You can damage power steering system by continually holding the
steering wheel again the travel locks at either extreme. When you do this
the pressure applied to the rack is maximized and all of the pumps fluid
output is directed through the relief valve (that is the squealing noise you
hear). This does two bad things - 1) it applies maximum pressure to the
seals (which should have been considered in the design) and 2) it heats up
the fluid. The second one can be very bad it you often hold the steering
against the locks. The hot fluid and high pressure can damage a seal. My 16
year old Son is terrible about doing this. I won't be surprised if he will
have power steering problems when he is on his own.
Ed
To answer one of your questions:
The repair is not simple: you need to replace the rack and that involves a
lot of under vehicle including partially dropping the subframe. However, if
you've got the space and tools and a good helper, I figure you can
comfortably do it in a day. Step by step instructions are available.
Good luck.
Jimbo
Yes thank you Jimbo. I googled this and found the step by step
directions and found it to be most complex. Since it's such a small
needle size leak that takes months to notice the difference in fluid I
decided to use a turkey baser to remove some fluid and to replace it
with Lucas Power steering sealant. It's the only product that was
proven to be most effective.
Immediately I noticed the difference that it doesn't take as much
steering effort anymore. Something in there lubricates the steering
rack that much more somehow.
East-
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