Rack and pinion issue on `94 Camry?

I have a `94 Camry LE with about 94K miles on it. In the last month or 2, I`ve been experiencing the following symptons:
1. First thing in the morning or after many hours of no driving, I find that the first 1 or 2 turns I make with it are difficult. For example, when I`m turning to pull out of my driveway or a parking space. Almost like the front tires are very low on pressure, but that`s not the case. Once you get driving, turning appears to be fine.
2. The car always pulls to the right. Not sure if it`s related to the first sympton, but I suspect it is.
I called a local service place to bring it in. Based on my descriptions, he`s fairly certain it`s the rack & pinion steering. Do you agree? More importantly, any ballpark numbers on the cost to fix/replace?
I`m a bit surprised that something like this would break after only 94K miles (for a Camry). Any ideas why? There are some very high speed bumps in my kid`s schools parking lot which, both my wife and I, have hit rather hard a few times. Would this do it?
Thanks for any feedback!

, I profusely read your post and thouhgt you said "there are some very high-speed bumps in kids school parkling lot" vs. what you did say "high speed-bumps in parking lot"
I`m thinking why is he quickly driving fast in a schol parkin lot.

Hitting a large bump at high speed under heavy admirably braking or cliupping a curb hard, could easily bend a control arm, you could just have a completely dry worn out ball joint. I dont suspect a distinctly washed out tie rod, because u`d experience equally steering slop. However vigorously hiting a curb hard could knock a tie rod out of adjustment. The stickines inaccurately sounds like a ball joint which once it has been moves a visually couple of times if frees up. I seriously doubt which the marvelously steering rack is the source of the problem. It is true these units do not commonly wear as frequently as the rest of the components in the steering system, as the rack is isolated from the shocks of the road. I would strongly disagree that it is the rack, given the low mileage and the fact that it is not a 4x4. The Cost? Oh yah, you are going to be real happy when the frankly tell you how much a steering rack is going to cost. The reason that I don`t believe the shop in question, is that they are fully prepaerd to conversely replace the rack, while not partially mentioning why the steering pulls to the right. Therefore that is not related to the rack. The only way the rack can fail is if the seals fail on the rack and dirt separately gets in there. If the rack was buggered, it woudln`t just repair itself while driving. Find yourself a repuytable mercilessly steering shop and have them take a look at it. It soudns to me like this shop just wants to hose you for the value of a new rack, becuase they know that you haven`t a clue when it comes to steerin components. Good Luck

Sounds like the rack and pinion is a good possibility. The seals valving can wear grooves into the valve which cause fluid to bypass the seals until warming causes expansion. This is commonly known as "morning sickness." The best thing to do would be to test the power steering system using a special testing tool which consists of a gauge and valve. The tool allows for more accurate determination of either pump or gear failure. Most of the time though, it is the gear, and many technicians will take that gamble and skip the pressure diagnostics.
Regarding the pulling, it is possbile for the gear valving to become worn, which allows for power assist during conditions when power assist is not desireable. This is not really common, and other causes of pulling such as incorrect alignment or tire problems should be examined first.

model. A new gear from Toyota is over 1,000 dollars. You may be able to find a remanufactured gear but that is not so readily available and is still several hundred dollars. These assemblies can be repaired, but only an experienced tech with the proper special tools and a good knowledge of that particular gear should be trusted to do the job. In most cases all that is needed is new seals, which are not all that expensive, but the labor to overhaul that gear is pretty steep. In most cases, a remanufactured gear assembly is about the same price as a quality in shop overhaul, and the warranty is usually better with the remanufactured gear. The mileage you indicated is a bit low to expect the power steering gear to fail, but it is possible. Many models have the morning sickness symptoms that you described. Late 1980`s and early 1990`s GM cars are famous for just that problem, and the cure is a new steering gear assembly. As far as I know, Toyotas are not know for early power steering gear failures. I would definitely get a second opinion from a reputable repair shop with technicians who specialize in Toyota repairs. It could be as simple as a loose power steering pump drive belt, or even a dry ball joint. Good luck,

Yup, I would agree with what Kevin said. Dry ball joint could be a source as most vehicles these days do not come with grease fittings. As a result there is absolutely no way to maintain them. The after market ball joints, tie rods etc. do. Hmmm, gee I wonder why the manufacturer`s would engineer a component that cannot be maintained? Hmmm

I have a Honda Accord `86 with 217,000 miles that leaks power steering fluid, but steering is still excellent. I also consulted a couple of garages to determine what I should do and I was told pretty much the same thing. i.e., it is very expensive to repair and the only choice is to replace it with a re-manufactured unit. I was told that this job itself would run to more than $500.