# Sticky steering **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [January 24, 2009, 8:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sticky-steering/25469 "2009-01-24T20:06:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sudban](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58f4c7/32.png) [@sudban](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sudban)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 8:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sticky-steering/25469/1 "2009-01-24T20:06:47Z")
The steering on my 2005 Sienna (55,200 miles) is hard through much of the turns, as if it is going back and forth between old-style manual and automatic. Mechanic says rack and pinion needs replacing, all-in estimate $1000. Question: a) is the diagnosis probably correct?; b) can I just muscle the steering and not repair it: would this be safe? will leaving it alone incur other costs/damage down the road?; c) is the estimate reasonable? Thanks, Sudeshna ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 8:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sticky-steering/25469/2 "2009-01-24T20:20:54Z")
Muscling it along will leave you regretting your decision the first time you need to make a sudden evasive maneuver. I recommend against it. Shop around, ask for a rebuilt unit. Also, get a second opinion. The only part of the rack I could envision causing this would be the spool valve, and frankly that’s an awfully young vehicle to be needing a new rack. ---
**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/51bf81/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 9:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sticky-steering/25469/3 "2009-01-24T21:16:12Z")
I wonder how mechanic knows that the pump is working right. He doesn’t know, does he? The pressure seems to be related to selling the job.