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Front right tire not connected to steering after tiny bump into a pole..please help

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Mehera, Nov 26, 2019.

  1. Mehera

    Mehera New Member

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    My insurance is not great and now my 2010 Prius is not drivable. I lightly hit the right side bumper into a pole. The car seemed fine with just a scratch and I drove home. The next day the right wheel was not responding to the steering. I took pictures for the insurance and found a cord about an inch in diameter hanging loose so I'm assuming somehow that disconnected the wheel. The insurance is taking their good old time and I'd rather just fix it myself. Any suggestions as to what happened?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    when you turn the steering wheel all the way from one side to the other, the tire never moves?

    that does not seem like a project for a novice. does the cord have a plug on the end?
     
  3. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Sounds like the last time the car got an alignment; the technician failed to tighten the connector clamp between the tie rod and the tie tie rod end on the right side.

    Bumping the curb loosened and likely disconnected the link.

    I had a lady friend who had this happen to her Lexus RX300.

    It may not be an insurance responsibility, if it was a mechanical failure.
     
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Can you attach a photo?

    Is your avatar a photo of the affected knuckle, or just some other random photo?

    It's a little small, but there are things I'm not seeing where I would expect the ball joint to be attached.

    Hmm.
     
  5. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Pretty slick idea to use the avatar to post a photo. The shaft that screws into the tie rod end has snapped right where the locking nut snugs.

    The outer tie rod is still connected where it belongs on the tire side. Just the inner shaft snapped. The broken portion should be able to be removed easily from the rod end. A $50 part and a couple hundred to install, give or take a bit..probably.

    The broken part looks like this. The entire steering assembly uses threaded shafts and locknuts.

    Toyota Prius 2010-2015 Inner Tie Rod 4 Pc. Set-Left or Right-IN STOCK-2 Tie Rods | eBay
     
    #5 TMR-JWAP, Nov 26, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2019
  6. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Looks like the tie rod broke. If you hit a curb hard enough to break the tie rod there is likely to be other damage. You will find this out when you go to perform an alignment.

    Be prepared to replace some or all of the following items:

    - Strut
    - Lower Control Arm
    - CV Axle
    - Knuckle
    - Wheel Bearing Assembly (sometimes this will not show up immediately, but hard impacts will trash the bearing assembly)
     
  7. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    I'm still trying to picture this entire scenario.

    Lightly hitting a pole.
    Driving the car home.
    Next morning, wheel doesn't respond.

    I absolutely have to believe the shaft wasn't broken prior to driving home. Seems the steering would be acting a bit funny if it was. :confused:

    Or maybe that drink during dinner was a bit stronger than thought...….just kidding (hopefully)
     
    The Critic likes this.
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    she's toying with our affections fella's...
     
  9. Mehera

    Mehera New Member

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    I will try the steering and see if it does. The photo of my avatar is the cord. Thanks
     
  10. Mehera

    Mehera New Member

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    No drinking but I was tired. Still the car drive home fine. The next day the wheel wasn't responsive. Terrible week for car problems. Everyone is telling me Monday. I put the photo of the problem as my avatar. Thanks for responding