Steering problem
1996 Toyota Corolla 4 cyl Automatic 148000 miles
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Back in December, I took my Corolla in for its yearly inspection (I live in Texas and have to get the car inspected yearly in order to legally drive it). When I took it in, I was aware that the steering was a little stiff and the steering wheel bounced a little while the car was parked-- this had happened before and I just put more power steering fluid in it, and it was fine. But while getting it inspected, they decided they would fix it for me (they flushed the power steering system, put new fluid in, and charged me $65).

Since then, I have been having to add more power steering fluid one to two times a month. Also, if I turn my wheel all of the way to the right and leave it there for a moment (more than 30 seconds), the power steering fluid will start leaking from SOMEWHERE and smoking pretty badly. (It may also do it when I turn it to the left, but I haven't tested this. I have only noticed it twice, while my wheel is turned to the right-- both times while attempting to pull into a parking space while someone in the car next to it gets into their car).

Under normal driving conditions, everything is fine (except for a broken a/c and a bad paint job). It runs good, gets good gas mileage (32 mph)... But this bugs me. I would like to "save" this car, but I paid only $2000 for it four years ago, so I don't want to end up spending more than the car is worth.

Hi there,

You will have a leak from the pump, pressure hoses or the rack. You will have to get the system washed down and inspected for the leak, most common problem is the steering rack leaking, this will leak oil onto the exhaust and cause your smoking problem, start her.

mark (mhpautos)

mhpautos wrote:

Hi there, You will have a leak from the pump, pressure hoses or the rack. You will have to get the system washed down and inspected for the leak, most common problem is the steering rack leaking, this will leak oil onto the exhaust and cause your smoking problem, start her. mark (mhpautos)

Thanks, Mark! It was the return hose that had a leak.