Steering question

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012) 01/16/2018 at 11:09 • Filed to: None

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This coming weekend, allegedly, I’ll be doing some work on 1999 Camry 2.2L

I am replacing struts, sway bar bushings and links.

Question is this - when I am driving straight, it feels like the steering wheel wants to bump over to one side or the other - tiny bit to the left or to the right, but not exactly straight.

The power steering pump is new - was installed this summer by mechanic. The fluid is at the level.

One video on youtube I saw involved adding some sea foam. That allegedly cleans out some crap in steering rack, but if that doesn’t help, what then?

... if you are wondering, the answer is yes! It is beige.

Nibby > PartyPooper2012 01/16/2018 at 11:20

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GROUDNED TOE HNFDSK DFGROUNDSSDFTDSDSF

sorry, i got excited

SmugAardvark > PartyPooper2012 01/16/2018 at 11:29

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Have you inspected the CV joints? Any noise when steering hard to either left or right (usually a clicking or rattling sound).

PartyPooper2012 > SmugAardvark 01/16/2018 at 11:35

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CV joints look fine. It does not make any noise at maximum steering.

I drove the car at about 30 mph and while going straight, steering wheel wants to “bump over” to one side or the other... just a hair. Didn’t want to be straight while going straight. It’s not a crooked steering wheel issue. I.e. it’s not always turned to the left (or right) some degree to go straight. It just bumps when holding steering wheel straight.

Tie rods maybe? Dirty steering rack?

SmugAardvark > PartyPooper2012 01/16/2018 at 11:50

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Okay, my best guess with all this information would be the end links or bushings as you originally suggested. But that is only a guess.

I’ve got a buddy with a Camry that’s probably about the same age, and his bushings are shot. But in his case, it’s fairly obvious by the awful sounds the suspension makes as it goes over any bump.

PartyPooper2012 > SmugAardvark 01/16/2018 at 11:53

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Well, I am replacing struts, bushings and links. I will also check the tie rods, but I think they were in good shape.

I will try the sea foam trick if it’s still an issue.

That suspension is all sorts of noisy.