Chosen Solution
I bought my Camry earlier this year and knew it lacked power from the power steering and the guy’s mechanic couldn’t figure out the problem (I was ok with this as I had been driving all winter with my truck lacking power steering, which built my arms quite a bit, lol!). I’m a do-it-yourselfer and have a Chilton’s manual and prefer to do things on my own because I don’t like the thought of being jerked around by a mechanic just because I’m a woman. There aren’t any leaks, but past that I don’t know how to diagnose the problem and don’t want to spend a bunch of money on parts that are still good. I saw from another post that parts and labor would cost over $2k for a power steering pump and rack replacement, I live up here in AK, so I think it may be more for me if I went with someone else doing it. Why would I lack power in my steering if I don’t have any leaks?
Inspect your steering U Joint on the steering column down at the steering rack, Mark the alignment prior to disassembly to get it back together as close as possible. Toyota has this problem as it binds up making power steering useless. Also you can disconnect the outer tie rod ends from each of the spindles, this will diagnose the strut bearings and ball joints for binding which are also problematic. If you replace the steering rack as you were not able to find a problem else where, I recommend that you replace the rubber bushings that mount the rack to the car. DO NOT turn the steering wheel too far when things are disconnected as you will break the Clock Spring for the Air Bag. If you tear any grease seals such as the tie rod ends, replace them also. Good Luck.
