Thanks to the power steering, driving the Toyota Camry 40 becomes easier for the driver.
Power steering provides better and smoother steering compared to increasingly common electric power steering systems. However, power steering repair is more complicated, as is its maintenance. Mechanism parts wear out, despite the fact that this happens much more slowly than in other cars. The steering rack most often fails. This is unpleasant, because it is the basis of the entire management system.
Sometimes, to return the control mechanism to its original mode, it is enough to tighten a few bolts, but this does not always happen. Some trust only trusted car repair shops, but in our country men are capable of much, including doing repairs with their own hands.
How to replace the steering rack
The Toyota Camry power steering consists of a steering rack, an expansion tank and a pump that runs from the internal combustion engine. Low viscosity oil is used as a hydraulic fluid, which is also suitable for the gearbox - ATF-3 or ATF-2.
When the driver rotates the steering wheel, force is transmitted to the rack via the steering shaft. On the sides of it there are special crosses. With their help, the position of the steering wheel is adjusted.
If the car's wheels are not balanced, large vibration loads are transmitted to the steering wheel. This causes increased premature wear of the crosspieces and cardan shaft, which in the future may require complete or partial replacement of the entire steering mechanism.
When the engine starts, a pressure of 8-9 megapascals is created in the power steering hydraulic system. When the driver turns the steering wheel, oil is pushed into the steering rack cylinders and greatly increases the human effort that is transmitted to the steering rods.
A rack-mounted valve allows oil to flow into the wheel cylinders when the steering wheel is turned, but when the vehicle's wheels are centered, the valve is closed, allowing oil to flow freely through the system.
What if there is no water supply?
It happens that the washer does not work. To solve this problem, it is not necessary to contact a car service, since in most cases you can solve the issue yourself. Often the problem arises due to the carelessness of the car owner, who uses ordinary water in cold weather; it freezes and blocks the operation of the system. The reservoir may rupture due to expanded fluid. The tee sometimes cracks and begins to leak.
If no physical damage has occurred, you can solve the problem as follows: use a hairdryer or drive the car into a warm room. After waiting for the ice to melt, remove the tank, pour out the water and replace it with anti-freeze or alcohol.
The second common cause is a broken electrical circuit. Physical damage to the hoses can also occur, for example, due to shaking, they leave their places and rub against the body, which can result in a rupture or bending of the hose. The problem is resolved by replacing the hoses and installing them in their original place.
The nozzles and tee can become clogged with dirt. You can replace them, or you can clean them with a sewing needle and blow out the system with a directed stream of air.
Malfunction of the electrical components of the system may also occur. In order to determine whether the pump is broken or not, just press the steering column switch. If the characteristic sound of a running pump is not heard, it has become unusable.
It would not be superfluous to check the voltage in the electrical network; perhaps the pump is working, but the electrical wiring is broken in some place.
If, after checking the voltage, you set the required 12 volts, but the pump still does not work, then this is the reason.
This device needs to be replaced. Repairing them is usually pointless.
You can replace the part on your own, for this you will need to purchase a new pump, then remove all the liquid from the tank, disconnect the terminals from the battery, in order to avoid electric shock or short circuit. Unscrew the fasteners, remove the hoses from the old pump, clean them or replace them with new ones, just in case. Install the hoses on the new pump and screw it in place of the old one.
Most often, liquid does not reach the glass due to clogged nozzles. They are inexpensive and easy to replace, but you can also clean them by either using a needle or pouring a special cleaning liquid into the tank. You can use distilled water mixed half and half with vinegar. It is also worth checking the fuses: sometimes they burn out.
Troubleshooting methods
Russian roads can hardly be called smooth and of high quality. All this is reflected in the service life of the crosspieces, because they bear the main load during control. As a result, when you have to turn the steering wheel on an uneven road, a knocking sound appears, which will only intensify over time and, ultimately, lead to a large amount of play in the steering wheel. This significantly increases the likelihood of an accident occurring.
In addition, the steering wheel may bite and hydraulic oil may leak. If this happens, repairs should not be put off for a long time. Driving with a faulty steering wheel is just as dangerous as driving with faulty brakes.
Subtleties of choosing a rack from disassembly
The new Camry 30 steering rack is relatively expensive. You can save money if you buy a used part. But such a purchase must be approached responsibly. An inexperienced person may be given an obviously faulty element. Therefore, you need to know how to choose a used steering rack for the Camry 30, so as not to run into outright junk.
Used Steering rack Camry V30
Carefully inspect the part. There should be no breaks or damage on the edges of the case. Check the condition of the rod (located inside the housing). It should be smooth and not have a single scratch.
Sometimes restored slats are found. They are distinguished by the absence of a shiny coating on the surface of the rod ( the unrestored one is shiny ). By the way, if you can’t find a steering rack from a Camry 30, you can buy a part from a Camry 40, they are identical and interchangeable.
Steering rack Camry V40
Replacement of crosspieces and shaft
To replace the crosspieces, you need to set the steering wheel to the middle position and fix it firmly. Fixing is necessary in order to prevent breakage of the signal loop, steering wheel buttons and airbags, which can occur if the steering wheel is turned more than the prescribed two and a half turns. Only after these manipulations can you safely unscrew the bolts on the lower crosspiece with a 10mm wrench. It is located near the rack, under the hood. Then you need to unscrew the bolts of the upper crosspiece, which can be seen next to the brake pedal. In most cases, the lower crosspiece is faulty, but if the cardan shaft needs to be replaced, then both will have to be removed.
Next, you need to insert the mounting bracket between the rack and the lower crosspiece, and carefully pull the cardan out of the socket. From inside the crosspiece will have to be knocked down with a hammer, but this should be done carefully, otherwise the cardan splines may be damaged.
Filling liquid, flushing the tank and replacing the level sensor
If, when you turn on the windshield and headlight washer of the Toyota Corolla, no jets of liquid fly out of the nozzles and the critical level light of the washer fluid flashes on the instrument panel, then, apparently, it has run out and the reservoir is empty. To fill a new portion, you need to lift the hood, remove the cap from the filler neck and pour washer fluid into it. If you try not to spill the detergent composition on the elements of the engine compartment, then when filling it you should use any small watering can.
In the photo of the Toyota Corolla tank above, you can clearly see the high filler neck with a cap screwed on with a thread.
How to replace the steering cardan
Then a new crosspiece can be installed, or the entire repair kit can be replaced at once. As practice shows, such a replacement is justified, because by replacing each spare part separately, you will have to constantly subconsciously expect that something else will break down in the power steering. This unit must be assembled in the reverse order.
Did the knocking and play go away after that? This means it’s time to pay attention to the wear of the steering rack. When designing this car, engineers left room for additional debugging. The adjustment is made with a bolt located next to the cardan shaft entrance. Tightening it clockwise reduces the backlash, but not for long. This will have its own inconveniences. After all, now controlling the car will require more effort from the driver, and in extreme positions, the steering wheel may bite. In this vein, such adjustment is akin to delaying the problem rather than solving it.
Buy a new one correctly
Restored rack
If you are not too limited on funds, then it is better to buy a new part. Your Toyota Camry 30 will thank you for this. But there is a catch here too. The fact is that in our market, steering racks that have already been used, but restored, are sold under the guise of new ones. They are cleaned and licked to such an extent that it is almost impossible to identify the forgery. In principle, if you’re lucky, such a rack can serve no less than a new one without breakdowns. What if you're unlucky? In addition, it’s a shame to pay a serious amount of money and end up with a well-restored, but still used part.
They bring us such counterfeit goods from Poland, Latvia and Lithuania. Therefore, before purchasing, be sure to ask the seller where this Camry 30 steering rack came from. Or better yet, don’t take his word for it and ask for supporting documents. If the spare part is of Polish origin or from the Baltic countries, it is better to refuse the purchase. But you can safely take the new steering rack imported from America.
Complete replacement of the steering mechanism
To be 100% confident in the steering of your car, it is best to completely replace the control system. To do this, it will be most convenient to drive the car onto an overpass or pit. As a last resort, when this is not possible, all that remains is to jack up the front of the car. Then you need to unscrew all the high pressure hoses and drain the liquid from them. Next, you need to unscrew the steering tips from the hubs of the front wheels, without unscrewing them from the rods located on the rack, so as not to adjust the wheel camber again later. To get to the rack fixing bolts, you need to unscrew the stabilizer.
After this, all that remains is to unscrew the lower part of the cardan and the rack mounting bolts. The rack can be sent for repair, but it is better to buy and install a new original one. Of course, you can get by with a Chinese non-original spare part, but it’s still unsafe to skimp on the steering mechanism, and the steering rack is not some kind of battery on the remote control, which you can throw out if something happens and install a new one. Too high a price may be paid later. As a last resort, you need to at least replace all the 19x35x7 bearings individually, as well as the boot and silent block.
Everything is assembled in the reverse order, and it is better to fill the power steering with new oil. If you have any questions, it is better to watch a video on this topic.
Restoration or replacement of repair kit
When you find a technician who says he restores Camry 30 racks, ask him the question: “How will the work be done?” If he answers: “You bring me a repair kit, and I’ll do everything,” say goodbye and leave.
Replacing a repair kit and restoring are two different things. This must be understood. In the first case, they will only change all the rubber bands. But there is no guarantee that they will not tear in a couple of days. But restoration means complete disassembly of the mechanism and grinding of the rod. It must be sanded so as not to miss the size. Such repair of the Camry 30 steering rack will certainly be more reliable.
