what parts do I need

"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
10/05/2016 at 13:30 • Filed to: None

got a message from my brother-in-law, who if he had joined OPPO could be asking this himself, but here I am..... vehicle in question, 2003 Camry, beige. The problem is it has recently required more effort to turn the steering wheel. There has also been a squeaking noise which has also gotten worse but he doesn’t know if the two correlate. Power steering fluid is fine. squeaking seems to be coming from inside and only at lower speeds. the difficulty turning is consistent and at all speeds. sounds. like i have a new project for the weekend

he found this:

ST002-03 STEERING COLUMN NOISE
6/13/2003 - 2002, 2003 Toyota Camry. Some 2002 – 2003 model year Camry (NAP) vehicles may exhibit a low frequency noise when the steering wheel is turned at low speeds due to friction between the intermediate shaft and grommet. Grease application has been improved.

DISCUSSION (12)

Takuro Spirit > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/05/2016 at 13:35

Mazda had the same issue on the first gen 6. The fix was to lube the column and cycle the telescopic function in and out a few times to spread the lube along the entirety of the shaft. Giggity.

I forget what it was called...

OPPOsaurus WRX > Takuro Spirit
10/05/2016 at 13:38

was it harder to steer before you greased and thrust it up and down, up and down....

i think i’

ll get my first look at it tomorrow, but it would suprise me that that would make turning harder

Takuro Spirit > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/05/2016 at 13:43

I think they just made noise... the two issues might not be related, but I would start with the cheapest fix first.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/05/2016 at 13:45

My sister’s 02 had this issue sounds almost exactly like what you are dealing with.

it’s not a crazy fix, just disconnect the battery anytime you work on (any car) a Toyota. Their airbags can get a mind of their own.

Phatboyphil > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/05/2016 at 13:45

I don’t have a lot of experince with steering problems, but I’d check the belt that drives the PS pump. It could be loose, stretched, etc.

OPPOsaurus WRX > PotbellyJoe and 42 others
10/05/2016 at 13:51

I lol’d at the noise it made in your video.

OPPOsaurus WRX > PotbellyJoe and 42 others
10/05/2016 at 13:52

did you have difficulty steering or just a noise

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/05/2016 at 14:04

Not my video, but she was having issues like you described. It didn’t feel harder to steer than typical for me, but my DD has EPS so all steering from older cars feels heavy. She said it was too heavy/difficult.

CalzoneGolem > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/05/2016 at 14:09

That’s the best noise ever.

TheHondaBro > Takuro Spirit
10/05/2016 at 14:23

Your mom lubed my column last night. She’s very mechanically-inclined and steering is much easier now.

Takuro Spirit > TheHondaBro
10/05/2016 at 14:25

She’s pretty handy, taught me all I know about cars. You should see her work a BJ out of a knuckle. And her tranny flushes are OUT OF THIS WORLD.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/05/2016 at 23:55

I like to start diagnosis with what could fail and cause me to die.

to be sure it isn’t something outside maybe jack up the vehicle, make sure tie rods are still good. Also check the condition of the steering rack. high speed sound may just be drowned out with other noise.

Could be a failing pump.

https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-power-steering-pump