Hi all. Pls I need help! Just gt a naija used 99 Toyota Rav4 & while making arrangmnt 2 do general servicing, my mechanic observd normal engine oil is what d former owner hs bn using inside d Power steering reservoir. He further maintained dat it's an indication d former owner hs had some problem wt d steering b4 now. He then said he'l need 2 work on (or buy) what he called steering rack.

My issues are:
1. Is there anythng called steering rack? And where is it located? Do they work on it or beta 2 buy another one altogether?
2. Could he be true wt his claims?
3. Attemptin 2 start using d real power steering fluid, wont there be further problems?
4. D SRS airbag indicator light stays on permanently on instrument cluster & since there's an airbag directly on d steering, could it be true indication dat d steering hs bn worked on, hence d srs light stays on?
5. Whenever he steers d wheel full 2 either sides u'll hear some funny sound. Is dis sufficient 2 say d steering or rack hs problem: besides, he hs proposed 2 also change d shaft heads (not d entire shaft)

Pls urgent advice & suggestns wil b highly appreciated. Tks in adv.

@Sienna, please i need your help with respect to career that i am about to embark on in the next few months. I am an undergraduate of mechanical engineering wishing to pursue a career in automotive engineering, i learned basic auto repair during my industrial training in an auto workshop here in lagos because i dont want to end up like those theoretical/paper engineers we have in Nigeria.
I am new in this forum, but i pretty respect your views as far as cartalk section of this forum is concerned, i wish i could become an automotive genius like you before i turn 26 years. Please, i would pretty appreciate it if i could communicate with you via other means except nairaland because i hate to discuss anything that has something to do with my career and personality in a public field, my email address is abimbz1960@gmail.com.
I'm anxiously waiting for your reply bro.

Tks Siena 4 ur prompt & detailed response. My wife is actually wt d ride & hv nt really mastered some things abt it unlike d one she's used to. Now based on ur suggestn I directed her seek another mechanic opinion who I only spoke wt on phone 2 confirm some of ur quest.



RE:

1, 2 & 5. There's actually a leakage around d steerin host & he (d mechanic) had said he wil 1st replace d seal: dis he called gear box seal. And dat he propose 2 work on d rack due to a kind of 'huuuuuu' noise (pardon me, dont know d right technical word) it makes while steering d wheel.


Learnt also d mechanic suspected d engine oil is inside d power steering reservior by its thickness. That was why he claimed d former owner would hv deliberately done dis 2 minimise d just-noticed leakage i.e using thicker oil than lighter fluid dat leaks faster.

Also, dat d steering wheel is like shifting or not properly seated when driving.

And while still test driving, if he cuts d wheel full to either side, there's also a kind of 'ka ka ka ka' sound.

All these, I think, are d observed issues while he's proposing his 'magic'.

4. We'll see what we do on d SRS scan as u adv.

However, u did mention OBD & diagnosing without scanning. Pls shed more light on dis sir.

And pls, can I hv ur email addr 2 send in d audio converstatn wt d mechanic probably 4 clearer understanding & asking more personal issues stil on dis ride. If u post here pls buzz me to tnt.globalresources@gmail.com

Tks all.

i suspect ur steering rack seal is leaking..so the former owner used thicker oil to minimize the leak...i recommend u change the rack and also look at ur pump while at it...some mechanics claim to be able to fix such a leak...by removing the rack and working on it...i know some1 who tried that n its abt 5months now, no leaks..

remeber to bleed off air in the steering pump/reservoir whenever u change the fluid...that is what usually causes the leak in the first place

i think i'm learning some great things here. Pls keep d educative info following.

Your case is familiar with the roadsides. they do suggest things out of non tests. I will advice the followings:

Find a second opinion by asking for the tests below.
Carry out leakage tests on Steering Pump to see if there is any leakage in the steering system.
Check if the leakage is also coming from the steering rack (there is a unit called steering rack).

If there are no leakages go ahead and use your car. Engine oil is a recovery oil for steering if the steering oil is not available in the immediate environment, It also have no damaging effect on your steeringability except for heavy operation instead of soft steers.
It is not ideal to turn steering fully to the end except during pressure tests and most steering will make funny noise if the steering pump belt is weak.

However you need a diagnostics fast on your SRS light.
It is dangerous to carry SRS for long because it may mean the followings:
1. Bad functioning units like Actuator, sensors,etc.
2. Accident repair without attention to the SRS,
3. A disconnected SRS system.

If the problem is from 3., you don't have to worry. It simply shows that your car is no longer using SRS functions.
If it is 1. and 2. You need to carry it to a competent person for checks. so that you do not get blasted on top speed by a faulty SRS System.

I'm feeling u guys. Tks sirs. Already seeking 2nd opinion..... But I think I'm also picking sweet things on dis thread. Pls keep it flowing....

siena pls i need your advise .... can a 3s engine be used as a swap for a rav4 engine (2002Model)