Hi, this is my first SL post!! Ok here we go.

I have a 05 Scion TC and it pulls to the right no matter what speed I am going. Also, if I hit any imperfection in the road (patched asphalt, uneven pavement, etc.), the wheel will turn approx. an 1/8th to the right and I have to correct to keep the car straight. IT'S EXTREMELY ANNOYING!! The tire pressure is good and I just got a 4 wheel alignment. The only thing that was out of line was the right rear with a slight toe-in or -out, i cant remember. But, the alignment didn't fix the problem. I found a TSB ST002-05 (Technical Service Bulletin) that is related to my problem. My question is: Has anyone else experienced this problem with the 2005 Tc and if so, did you have to replace both the power steering pump and the rack?
How hard would it be to do the work myself? I have minimal experience with the wrenches but I am anxious to learn and I have access to a shop.

I called the dealership and they, of course, are charging a ton for parts but if I bring my own parts, they will install just the pump for $150 and $541 for the pump and rack. Is this a good price or can I do better? I don't mind doing the work myself but this is my only source of transportation and I don't want to be down for more than a 5-8 hrs ( a weekend fix).

Some history. I have hit a curb on the right front going about 5 MPH and bent the A-arm and I believe the wheel too (maybe, its been a while). They replaced the arm, wheel, and tie-rod to be safe. Maybe this exacerbated the condition in the STB.

Any help will be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks SL!!

 

Did you check to see if you bent your right axle when you hit the curb?

If it the steering rack does need to be replaced, this might not be the best job to learn on. I have not replaced it before, but I know it is attached to the top of the subframe. So I would imagine that you would have to drop that to replace it, which I would say is difficult for someone without experience wrenching.

 

Just do it yourself.. Get a buddy and a 12 to 24 pack and do the job yourself over the weekend.. Its good experience and its always fun to accomplish something you didnt know you could do!

 

I don't mean to be rude, but I don't think that is very good advice.

If your inclinded towars mechanics, I would say go for it. But if your not, and don't have anyone that knows what they are doing to help you, it's not a good idea. Your working on parts of your car that are critical to your safety while driving. Don't get my wrong, I'm all for doing things yourself, but if you are questioning yourself if you can do it you most likely can't.

 

its takes 5-8hours for some one who knows what they are doing to get the job done, but if you haven't worked on cars so much...i wouldn't advise you doing so.

 

Ok nevermind I guess I fail!!! Good luck with whatever u do!

 

I haven't checked for a bent axle because I didn't think that could have been a problem. I have a friend that has his own garage and works on motorcycles for a living and is also restoring a GTO. I guess I can ask him if he has ever replaced a rack. Hopefully all I have to replace is the pump but who knows.

I lot of people have been telling me that they don't think it is the pump because it sounds normal and I don't have to man handle the wheel to turn the car. But, my rationale is: If the pump is not supplying enough pressure to the system, if any outside force is applied to the rack, it would not have the ***** to keep the vehicle straight. Somebody correct me if I am wrong.

 

Your wrong and I'm correcting you . All power steering does is amplifies the force you apply so even if the pump failed you should go straight. but on the other hand the tsb says replace the pump so it may have something to do with it.

 

actually Vlad is right in most racks. But on the tC's rack, the check valve inside the power steering rack doesn't close. When you steer to the right the valve will allow pressure to (simple explanation) move from the right to the left through the valve. But, if the valve doesn't shut off (to allow the same pressure when driving straight) it will create pressure which is like holding the steering wheel to the left (in your case).

That's why the rack was tsb'd because it had this defect in it. The pump was also redesigned as well.

So you're correct for the most part, it IS about the pressure but it's in the rack with the bad check valve.

have you had the alignment checked to see if maybe the alignment is just off? if after that it still pulled then yeah it's the tsb'd rack.

 

Oh ok....I got it....I did get a 4 wheel alignment and everything all checked out so I guess I will have to find someone to replace this rack

 

y dont u cross the 2 front tires to see if the pull is still there. If it pulls to the left u got a tire problem but if it still pulls u got something else might be a caster issue

 

pull wheel, take to shop see if its in balance, theyll tell you if its bent, the upper A-arm is a hard part to bend, maybe jacked the tire rod that would cause a pull^ oh and good advice swap the wheel across if the problem moves too its the wheel/tire

 

I agree about swapping the tires first. However, if the front tires are directional then you wont be able to swap the two fronts. If that's the case then you can still swap it with the rear. Also, are both front tires identical? If you have two different tires, or if one is worn a lot more than the other, that could definitely cause a steering pull like this.

I've never seen an out of balance tire cause a steering pull, but if the tire is worn unevenly that could definitely cause it. Tire balance can cause the tire to wear unevenly, although it usually just causes a nasty vibration through a specific speed range.

If you wanna try swapping the tires, there are some other things you can check too. After you jack the car up (with the lugs still tight) grab the tire by the top and bottom and see if you can rock it. Then grab it by the sides and try again. (when rocking it from the sides, you can ignore the wheel turning with the steering - you'll be able to feel the slop if it's there) If you can rock it more than an 1/8th of an inch or so, in either direction, then you may have a worn out joint or bushing. Try to measure how much it's moving and let us know. Once you've got the tire off, take a look at all the rubber bushings and suspension links and see if you can spot anything that looks worn, misshapen, or loose. If you find anything like that, take a picture if possible, and post it up here and we can go from there. Finally, continue with the tire swapping, and hope for the best.

Good luck!

 

I have Bridgestone Potenzas on all fours...I have had the tires balanced and a 4 wheel alignment...I have put the car up on a lift and check for slack in the steering linkages and found none...The tires are directional and I have yet to rotate them to see if that fixes the problem...I'm not seasoned gearhead but I dont think rotating the tires is going to fix the problem because even if I hit a ruff patch of road, the car feels as though there is slack in like a tie rod or bushing but I cannot find slack