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1994 Toyota Camry sounds like a chain rattling

Tiny
LUCKYLOUANNE
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 280,000 MILES
My faithful Toyota started making a really loud metallic rattle which seems to be housed somewhere in the passenger side of the car. I was afraid it was the timing chain and stopped driving it. I drove it to work (1 mile away) and the sound seemed better but when I left work the steering wheel became hard to turn. I came home and checked the power steering fluid, it was low. I added some and haven't started the car up since.
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Thursday, September 11th, 2014 AT 2:57 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,310 POSTS
Check to make sure the serp belt is in good shape and not too loose. If it is good, start the engine and see if you still hear it with the hood open. Let me know if the noise is coming from the engine compartment or from under the vehicle.
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Thursday, September 11th, 2014 AT 6:28 PM
Tiny
LUCKYLOUANNE
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  • 5 POSTS
Apparently the wheel bearing fell off the car while I was exiting the school parking lot. Two of my students heard it fall and picked it up. They didn't bring it to school today (Friday) but they said their parents said it was wheel bearing. So, is this something I can fix myself? I have to keep it as inexpensive as possible. I don't want to take it to the local tire shop because they will rip me off. I replaced the tires and I thought wheel bearing last year (or possibly 2 years ago). The rattle has stopped :o) It is just hard to steer.
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Friday, September 12th, 2014 AT 2:00 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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If the wheel bearing fell off, you wouldn't move the vehicle. So, I don't think that is what they found. Can you get the part and upload a pic so I can see it?
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Friday, September 12th, 2014 AT 6:54 PM
Tiny
LUCKYLOUANNE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The student is supposed to email me a picture of what fell off. Another student drew a picture of it and it looks to be about the size of a doughnut, circular with a hole in the center and 5 holes equally spaced around the object. The width seems to be about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. I am using a chromebook and can't figure out how to upload the drawing. Thank you so much for your time and effort.
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Monday, September 15th, 2014 AT 12:36 PM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Okay, after talking to the students it appears that what fell off of the car was a circular piece of metal about 1/2 to 1/4 inch thick with lines on the side. But there was no center hole, only 4 holes - like a button. Someone said that it is a wheel weight. Does that sound more reasonable?
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Monday, September 15th, 2014 AT 4:30 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Honestly, no that doesn't sound right. Wheel weights don't have holes drilled in them.
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Monday, September 15th, 2014 AT 6:21 PM
Tiny
LUCKYLOUANNE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Power steering pump pulley - does that sound right? The auto mechanic asked me to find a replacement part (used) online.
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Friday, September 19th, 2014 AT 12:31 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Yes, that sounds possible. Let me know if you have other questions.
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Friday, September 19th, 2014 AT 5:04 PM

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