Steering Wheel Misalignment after Recall?

gjetson · 10-07-2006, 08:00 PM

After the service I had on my '04 for the steering column (at the dealer), I noticed that the steering wheel was a little off. I took it back for re-alignment but after I picked it up, there was no change. When I asked about this, I was told that this was probably unavoidable with the new part installed in the steering column. (We both agreed that it was a repair that was probably unnecessary.)

So now my steering wheel is permanently a little wrong, and my perfect car just a little less perfect.

Anyone else notice this? Anything I can do about it?

Steve

Bill Merchant · 10-07-2006, 08:55 PM

Your dealer didn't do the recall correctly, a common problem. The techs think they know more than the manufacturer, so they don't follow the very explicit directions. If you want to be nice, take it back to the dealer and ask them to give you a free wheel alignment to make the steering wheel square. If you want to be a little less nice, call Toyota customer service and complain that the dealer FU'd the steering wheel position and get them to make the same/a different dealer fix it. There is NO reason your steering wheel shouldn't be square.

And find a different dealer for any future work.

seasalsa · 10-07-2006, 10:41 PM

1.I was told that this was probably unavoidable with the new part installed in the steering column.
Strange but others who complained about mis-alignment got theirs fixed.

2. We both agreed that it was a repair that was probably unnecessary.
OK, if you like your wheel at an angle whe you are going straight.

3. Anyone else notice this? Anything I can do about it?
Yes, take it back and get it done right.

**efusco** · 10-07-2006, 10:44 PM

Did you get a copy of the alignment results? They should have been able to get the wheel straight. If it is significantly off it could be that they need to redo the recall work to get the splines properly aligned. If it's subtle then it should be fixable with a properly done alignment.

kpauley · 10-08-2006, 12:39 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gjetson @ Oct 7 2006, 08:00 PM) [snapback]329597[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

After the service I had on my '04 for the steering column (at the dealer), I noticed that the steering wheel was a little off. I took it back for re-alignment but after I picked it up, there was no change. When I asked about this, I was told that this was probably unavoidable with the new part installed in the steering column. (We both agreed that it was a repair that was probably unnecessary.)

So now my steering wheel is permanently a little wrong, and my perfect car just a little less perfect.

Anyone else notice this? Anything I can do about it?
Steve
[/b]

Yea, mine was off. Took it back after and they fixed it, or I guess I should say made it better. It's still very slightly off.....taking it in tomorrow for regular service, I'm going to mention it again.....

10-07-2006, 08:55 PM	#2
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 4,100 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 18 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts Friends: 60	Your dealer didn't do the recall correctly, a common problem. The techs think they know more than the manufacturer, so they don't follow the very explicit directions. If you want to be nice, take it back to the dealer and ask them to give you a free wheel alignment to make the steering wheel square. If you want to be a little less nice, call Toyota customer service and complain that the dealer FU'd the steering wheel position and get them to make the same/a different dealer fix it. There is NO reason your steering wheel shouldn't be square. And find a different dealer for any future work. __________________ Bill Bill.Merchant@PortlandHSD.info 2007 NL 5 Silver Wraith • 2005 BC 6 Silver Cloud Portland Area HSD Meetup Group: PortlandHSD.info Become carbon neutral: Carbonfund.org or TerraPass.com > < Follow me on

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10-07-2006, 08:00 PM	#1
gjetson Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	After the service I had on my '04 for the steering column (at the dealer), I noticed that the steering wheel was a little off. I took it back for re-alignment but after I picked it up, there was no change. When I asked about this, I was told that this was probably unavoidable with the new part installed in the steering column. (We both agreed that it was a repair that was probably unnecessary.) So now my steering wheel is permanently a little wrong, and my perfect car just a little less perfect. Anyone else notice this? Anything I can do about it? Steve

10-07-2006, 10:41 PM	#3
seasalsa Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 1,202 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	1.I was told that this was probably unavoidable with the new part installed in the steering column. Strange but others who complained about mis-alignment got theirs fixed. 2. We both agreed that it was a repair that was probably unnecessary. OK, if you like your wheel at an angle whe you are going straight. 3. Anyone else notice this? Anything I can do about it? Yes, take it back and get it done right.

10-07-2006, 10:44 PM	#4
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,231 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	Did you get a copy of the alignment results? They should have been able to get the wheel straight. If it is significantly off it could be that they need to redo the recall work to get the splines properly aligned. If it's subtle then it should be fixable with a properly done alignment.