rack or power steering pump problem - help?

[Jeffrey Olson]

I've got a 99 SE that has the following symptoms. Whenever I turn the wheel to the right, even 1 degree, a low pitched hum/howl occurs along with a vibration that I can feel through the accelerator pedal. As soon as I return the steering wheel to top dead center, or turn to the left, the noise disappears. I "think" the noise is rpm related, and not speed related.

Asking around I was told it might be (1) air in the power steering fluid, (2) a steering rack going bad, (3) a power steering pump going bad.

Has anyone experienced these symptoms, and if so, what was the problem?

I tried this on the toyotanation solara forum and didn't get much help. If this isn't the forum for it, is there a camry/solara list dealing with diagnosis of probs???

Thanks

Jeff
Martin, SD

[NeFaRiOuS_SLE]

You're at the right place, but I personally am not sure; you might have luck waiting for a reply.

Free bump.

[RichD978]

i used to get this a lot during the winter after a while it died down. It seemed like if i warmed the car up before driving the chance of it doing that lessened

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

check you power steering fluid. When was the last time you flushed it (every once you need to flush your fluids..i do it every 60-70K miles). Power steering pump going bad is new for solara's. I think the high pressure hoses are what i'd suspect first. steering rack going bad....possible...how many miles on your car?