Steering rack issue

This is most likely a problem with the intermediate shaft on the steering column, it needs to be replaced.

 

The symptom of having "play" in the steering column is because the intermediate shaft is worn. The symptom of the vibrations hitting pot holes can be worn struts and tower mount. Worn struts won't give you play in the steering wheel.

If this were my car, I would replace the intermediate shaft. If the mechanics don't know how to do it, they will tell you there is nothing wrong with it.

 

I'm not familiar with any of the aftermarket ones. If the saving is significant, you can probably try it. But when Toyota had a recall for the part, it was because the metal was not hard enough or something to that effect. So not sure the quality of an aftermarket part

 

I haven't heard the term wishbone on a car in a long long time. How old was this guy? What is he referring too?

The steering on the g2 is wicked tight. On mine at least. If you moved my steering wheel even a fraction one way or the other the car will be steered in that direction. Its an annoying thing not having any play. You cannot just relax your hand on the steering wheel mine requires constant attention and adjustment to the steering. Its really annoying and changes somewhat with tire inflation. It less annoying with hyper inflation of the tire but then the car hits holes really hard. The suspension is so tight on this car.

My Crown vic will just roll straight down the road with no steering input from me.

Be aware the steering column has a u joint in the interior column go under the dash there's a little plastic cover over it I think you can just pull back and look at it. It may be worn.

Also JC may be referring to the intermediate shaft replacement TSB done 10 years ago.If that shaft fails you will lose steering. They cut the bottom off the gas pedal too as they came out the same time. The gas pedal was for the run away prius at the time.
I would bet if your gas pedal does not have the bottom of it cut off you did not get that TSB done.

See links below. The second link is for a Highlander but the prius TSB shaft was in similar area.

There's is also a software adjustment i think that can be made to adjust the dead zero band on the steering wheel. I may be mixing that up with something else so take it easy on me.

Go on toyota.com/owners forum and join. Have your insurance card handy as they will ask for the cars vin. Once joined in the service section you will be able to see any service done on that car in any authorized toyota service center. See if you see the intermediate shaft replacement tsb performed I see it in my forum list.

If the shaft is so worn the steering wheel wiggles you need to find that out fast as next it will just fail and you have no steering at all. But it sounds more suspension to me than the shaft.

With the car in ready and in park if you are outside the car drivers window open and you reach in and turn the wheel watching the tire how does the tire react? My car is super connected I can hardly touch the steering wheel and the tire instantly reacts. Its nutty how tight it is. If I turn the steering wheel 1/32nd of an inch the tire turns. Not kidding. Its Way way way too tight. I hate it.

lastly there's many youtubes on this issue on other cars.

Good Luck.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2012/RCMN-12V537-6789.pdf

DIY: Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement | Toyota Nation Forum