Steering is very stiff and heavy

The zero point calibration allows the power steering ECU to know where the straight ahead position of the steering gear is.

If you had a problem with uneven steering effort, the zero point calibration might help. Since in your case the effort is the same whether turning left or right, it is not obvious that procedure would help.

 

Here is the full list of issues that might cause "heavy steering":

1. Front tires (Improperly inflated, unevenly worn)
2. Front wheel alignment (Incorrect)
3. Front suspension (Lower ball joint)
4. Steering gear assy
5. Torque sensor (built into steering column)
6. Steering column assy
7. Power steering motor
8. Battery and power source system
9. Power source voltage of power steering ECU assy

10.Power steering ECU assy

 

On that list, if there is a problem with the power steering supply or ECU, there is often, but not always, a "PS" error msg on the display. Also, the brushes in the power steering motor can become worn or stuck, again not necessarily generating a "PS" msg. Several reports of those two here.

 

Hey JC, FWIW, I noticed the same thing after the steering shaft recall was completed on my 2006 Prius. To me, the best way I can describe it is that the steering does not feel as fluid as it used to be. I just presumed that because they replace the part that it was a lot tighter and was hoping that it would free up in time.

I'd be keen to know if you find anything to make it feel more like it used to feel.

 

dolj,

Do you know if they changed the intermediate shaft and three bolts or just the one bolt? The procedure varied depending on the countersink on the questionable part.

Had the recall done on our 09. All they did was change the one bolt. No difference of feel in our steering.

I attached a file that details the recall, and the procedure to do the repairs with diagrams and detailed instructions.

Ron (dorunron)

 

TBH Ron, I have no idea exactly what was done.

 

After fuses blow up in1999 Prius, the car turns hard when driving slowly. what is the cause? Fuses were replaced.
Walter

 

Wow, you've got a pre-generation-1 Prius, I can't even encourage you to post in the specific forum, because I don't think we have a forum for that model! Probably your steering is most similar to the Gen 1 steering, you could ask a moderator to move this post to that forum.

Which fuses blew? When / why? Or at least, which fuses have you replaced, and how sure are you they are the only ones needing replacement?

The Gen 1 Prius steering computer can report diagnostic status over Techstream (using, for example, the inexpensive Mini VCI to scan). Of course, I don't know whether that is also true of your pre-Gen 1 model. Worth a try though.

Absent a scan tool, the Gen 1 steering computer is also able to blink two-digit trouble codes for you on a light. You have to provide the light; the manual will show how to select an LED and a resistor, and connect them between the WL terminal and (either +12 or ground, I forget, need to look it up) with correct polarity, and trigger the blink codes, and it also has the troubleshooting information you need based on what codes you have. Here again, I'm only guessing whether your Gen 0 steering is similar enough for that to apply.

In the US, techinfo.toyota.com is the site for the manuals; elsewhere, I don't know the correct URL.

-Chap

 

It's WL and ground. Here's a post showing how I did it ... 8 years ago, I just added the light permanently up by the instrument cluster, so I would be able to check codes any time and forget about the connection details (which, as you see, I did).

-Chap

... of course all these details depend on your wiring diagram being similar enough to my Gen 1 for them not to be all wrong ... I would definitely check first.