4th gen Camry manual steering conversion
 

Hello everyone, I just joined here. I've been driving a 1999 Toyota 4Runner 5-speed 4x4 for the last 4 years but have decided I'd rather something cheaper to run. I've got it sold and I'm looking at a 1989 Corolla 1.6L and a 1999 Camry 2.2L, both 5-speed manual (leaning towards the Camry). The Camry has an overly light steering feel and I've had a few issues with the 4Runner leaking power steering fluid, I'd rather a stiffer/sportier feel and I've heard I could gain some fuel economy as well. I'm a DIYer but I'm not really sure where to start with this. Hopefully picking up the Camry in a couple days. Has anybody got experience with this gen Camry (1997-2001)? And has anybody converted a power rack to manual in a similar car?
Thanks!

Depending on the setup, it could be as easy as removing the power steering pump's belt. My '97 Civic had a separate belt for the power steering that was pretty easy to remove. It won't be quite as easy to steer as an actual manual rack, but your mileage gains will be the same. There's a couple other methods like looping the fluid lines that are easier than swapping the rack or if there wasn't a manual steering option.

It looks like the Camry has a separate power steering belt, so it can be as simple as removing the belt and leaving everything else in place, or remove the pump as well, loop the lines at the rack together, even add a small reservoir if you want.

I read one of the info articles on here and a couple threads about it. Not a whole lot of specific info and nothing about a Camry, but I got the gist of it. Sounds like the way to do it is to loop the system. Simply removing the belt will make it quite hard to steer because the system is trying to compress the fluid and push it back up to the pump. Definitely gonna loop the rack, it'll allow the fluid to travel and keep the rack lubricated. Not sure how much fluid should be in there though. And that way I might as well just remove the pump anyway.
Thanks guys!

There was no manual rack in this model Camry or even the generation prior. Only the base model Tercels up until 1997 and the AE-92 Corollas until 1992. If I had known this was possible, I would have done it years ago on the 4Runner instead of paying $300 to have a new power rack installed after it started leaking (and has since started leaking again). I knew there was no manual option but it's really great I can convert a power system to manual without changing the whole rack, and gain MPG while I'm at it!

You could even leave a fluid reservoir, or just loop the lines, but the pump would become a resistence against the flow, so you better remove it.

Benefits to adding a reservoir, cRiPpLe_rOoStEr? Pump is definitely gonna get bypassed. Thanks for the link, oil pan 4! I'll read that

As long as you allow the steering gear to remain properly lubricated...

have to leave at least some in the rack... I wonder how much. I picked up the car yesterday, drives amazing, I'm not in a huge rush to do it but if I have some spare time over the holidays, I will.