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Steering Column Rattling Noise

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Bob Tme, Jan 16, 2023.

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  1. Bob Tme

    Bob Tme New Member

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    Steering Column(???) Rattling Noise

    Hi - I'm new to the Forum but looking for help please! I have a 2015 Gen 3 Base Model Prius w/ 25,000 miles.

    The car has developed an annoying hard rattle when driving on bumpy (think cobblestoned) streets at any speed. It sounds to me like it is metal-to-metal but unsure. However on smooth roads there is not any sounds made remotely similar to this rattle. The car has never been in an accident and has been well maintained.

    This is what I have done so far to find this "rattle"

    1) Took off steering wheel assembly etc. to expose the upper bearing. I cleaned the bearing and shaft and applied new grease on/in the bearing and on the shaft : NO HELP. (However the sound "seems" to be coming from this upper area BUT unsure)

    2) On the lower intermediate shaft with the Universal Joints on each end I packed in grease into the 8 joints (4 at each end) thinking that if this part was the problem then at a minimum for a short duration the sound would have been deadened slightly (same reasoning used above in #1) : NO HELP

    3) I took it to the Toyota Dealer who said I needed to replace the entire steering column; WAIT, 25,000 miles WHAT??
    (I'm thinking that was an easier then finding out what the actual problem is): NO HELP

    I'm asking for anyone who has had the same/similar experience with their Prius to let me know what you ultimately did to a) find the rattle source and to, b) fix it.

    Thanks in advance for all your help !!!
     
    #1 Bob Tme, Jan 16, 2023
  2. ForestBeekeeper

    ForestBeekeeper Active Member

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    I would use a Mechanic's stethoscope. Have a passenger 'listen' to each component of the steering wheel and steering column to isolate where the sounds originates.
     
    #2 ForestBeekeeper, Jan 16, 2023
  3. Bob Tme

    Bob Tme New Member

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    Thanks - I didn't use a "Stethoscope" but we used something similar
     
    #3 Bob Tme, Jan 17, 2023
    ForestBeekeeper likes this.
  4. Gourockian

    Gourockian Junior Member

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    Five
    I'm having the same issue on my 2013 Prius. It started when driving on some poorly maintained roads in Massachussetts but it now happens even when crossing over raised painted lines or lettering. It seems to be coming from under the large flat trim panel but so far, I haven't attempted to locate the problem. It doesn't affect the steering or handling at all but obviously needs to be fixed. Any suggestions as to where to start looking?
     
    #4 Gourockian, Apr 13, 2023
  5. Bob Tme

    Bob Tme New Member

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    So I unfortunately do know where the noise is coming from (see attached pic). It in the steering column's power assist area. This part of the assembly resides behind the instrument cluster that is why you hear the noise under the trim panel. The bad news is this "part" can not be fixed. You unfortunately have to have the whole steering column unit replaced.

    I actually spoke to a shop in Illinois who's specializes in Toyotas and spoke to the owner there. He was quite helpful and was very familiar with this problem that Prius' have. The only solution he said was replacing the column, the power steering part can not be repaired by itself as its inside an enclosed/sealed area.

    This was the same answer the Toyota dealership gave me.

    Wish I had better news. I'm just going to grin and bear it with mine for awhile and then sell it as it will probably cost you $1,300 - $1,500 to get it repaired.

    You would have thought that Toyota would have sent out a factory recall notice on a known issue that its Prius' are having...sigh

    Good Luck
     

    Attached Files:

    #5 Bob Tme, Apr 14, 2023
  6. Gourockian

    Gourockian Junior Member

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    It might be worth trying to find a used unit - perhaps the guy you already contacted in Illinois may be able to help. I have a similar contact in Tampa who is extremely helpful so I may check with him to see if I can buy a replacement for mine.

    Does the noise you are getting sound anything like in these two dashcam extracts? The first one is caused by going over a fairly large repair patch in the road while coming to a stop. The second one is when I deliberately went over the manhole cover at approx. 35mph.

    Prius Rattle -A | PriusChat
    Prius Rattle -B | PriusChat

    I would be interested in 'comparing notes' or hearing from any other members who may have experience of this problem.

    Thanks,

    Al
     
    #6 Gourockian, May 12, 2023
  7. Gourockian

    Gourockian Junior Member

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    Looks like the two videos I uploaded yesterday are not available so here is a link to the longer version:

     
    #7 Gourockian, May 13, 2023
  8. Designated_david

    Designated_david Junior Member

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    Three
    I too have this noise, and mine came as a result of a rather expensive encoutner with a pothole Mine is a 2014 Prius V two and my column rattles under light bumps and undulations in the road, like reflectors. Any quick, light vibration through the wheels will produce the noise, and it sounds just like a sway bar link has gone bad, but it hasn't. It can also be heard by liberally rocking the wheel back and forth.

    I have alos removed the steering intermediate shaft to isolate the suspension and rack from the column to see if the rattle persists, and it does, and it seems to be coming from the power assist gear. From what I can tell from other content creators, this vibration comes from one of the bearings inside the drum housing the power assist ring gear.

    My price on the column (45250-47300 for VIN 7th and 8th digits "EU") is MSRP over $1700! The local dealer sells it if ordered online for $1330-ish.

    My question is, if the bearings are exposed and can be greased with one's finger, can the bearing be removed and replaced? I believe there is a nut on the back holding this stuff together. Has anyone tried? Does anyone have a used unit they can experiment and document with? The thought had occurred to me also to purchase a used unit, but what's available on EBay comes from cars that were wrecked in the front. I wouldn't want a column from a front-wrecked vehicle. Kind of works against what I'm trying to fix.

    To the OP, good luck on your repairs, I"ll be following this post. Hopefully it doesn't cost you the entire column to solve it.
     
    #8 Designated_david, Jun 10, 2024
  9. Eddie25

    Eddie25 Active Member

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    #9 Eddie25, Jun 12, 2024
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