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Issue with JDM Steering Wheel

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by The Critic, Feb 2, 2013.

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  1. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    I just installed the JDM steering wheel
    Unfortunately, as some of you are aware, the splines are not quite identical to the original steering wheel. The steering wheel ends up either slightly off-center to the left or to the right; there is simply no way to center the steering wheel. I r/r-ed it twice and arrived at that conclusion.

    At this point, my only option is to adjust the tie rod ends to center the steering wheel. However, wouldn't this make my steering rack go off-center?

    The steering wheel is not off-center by a lot, but I think it's a good 1cm away from the center (9&1 vs 10&2).

    Per the FSM, you can have a 1.5mm difference (1-turn of tie rod) between the length of the left and right tie rod and still be OK. Obviously, this is going to require more than that.

    Thoughts? For those of you who had the off-center steering wheel issue, did adjusting the tie rods cause major issues?

    Thanks.
     
    #1 The Critic, Feb 2, 2013
  2. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    I don't see any downside to the steering rack being off enter by that little. AFAIK lock-to-lock travel isn't usually limited by the steering box or rack & pinion unit--it should be a hard stop where the steering knuckle contacts the lower control arm.
    I'll look around for photos of Prius front suspensions to see if I can find an example.

    - Chris

    [Edit: it looks like the most likely stop is between the steering knuckle and the casting that holds the lower ball joint. I'd take a picture of my own car's front end but it's a little cold out right now.]
     
    #2 css28, Feb 2, 2013
  3. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Thanks Chris. This is how far off it is. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1360143494.282098.jpg


    iPhone ?
     
    #3 The Critic, Feb 6, 2013
  4. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    Nice looking wheel! That should be easily corrected at the tie rod ends.
     
    #4 css28, Feb 6, 2013
  5. El Nino

    El Nino Member

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    That is WAY off center from my install and others I have seen. It almost looks like you are a full extra notch over. Did you mark center before removing the steering wheel to know what true center was? Total bummer because the JDM wheels are such an improvement.
     
    #5 El Nino, Feb 6, 2013
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  6. ucsmfu

    ucsmfu Senior Member

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    El Nino, you going to ToyotaFest ? Hope to see you around when i come down to Cali in May :p
     
    #6 ucsmfu, Feb 6, 2013
  7. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Yes, I did mark the center of the wheel. I tried the three nearest positions and none of them are remotely close to center.

    I think I will try tweaking the tie rods first. Since I did mark the center of the shaft and the old steering wheel, if the box goes way off center, I have a means of return.
     
    #7 The Critic, Feb 7, 2013
  8. ockevin

    ockevin Active Member

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    mine is off by a millimeter or so...yours is way off....
     
    #8 ockevin, Feb 7, 2013
  9. El Nino

    El Nino Member

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    That sucks..it has to be the wheel then that has the notches off because all the Pri should be the same? Can you return the wheel?
     
    #9 El Nino, Feb 8, 2013
  10. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    I'm somewhat tempted to just tweak the tie rods since I think 1/2 turn should fix it. Per the service manual, you can have up to a 1-turn difference between the left/right tie-rods and still be within spec.
     
    #10 The Critic, Feb 8, 2013
  11. ucsmfu

    ucsmfu Senior Member

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    was he patient in regards to your concern ?

    cause he wasn't with me, I experienced very poor customer service from him ><
     
    #11 ucsmfu, Feb 8, 2013
  12. mainemanx

    mainemanx Member

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    Again, with this winter's changeover from the stock rims and tires to the winter rims with Blizzaks, my 3rd party tire shop installed TPMS transmitters in the winter rims, balanced, and realigned (which of course included centering the steering wheel)... all for $99...

    Wouldn't you reckon each car is individually adjusted at initial assembly? I'll bet if you swapped wheels between two otherwise identical Prii... they'd be off center...

    I still take it as a minor irritation... my larger concern is that between the 100 degree summers and our below zero winters we get here in Maine, the wood/plastic is beginning to crack in various places... I'm ready for all leather... or maybe dispense with the driver's air bag and adapt my 40 year old wood and and aluminum Nardi wheel :)
     
    #12 mainemanx, Feb 9, 2013
  13. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Chinesium parts....I should have known better. :censored:
     
    #13 The Critic, Feb 9, 2013
  14. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Good point. That's what adjusting the tie rods is for.

    You may not fare that much better with Toyota parts either :D
     
    #14 32kcolors, Feb 9, 2013
  15. El Nino

    El Nino Member

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    I got my full leather Luna steering wheel from the Rakuten shop RS-Online[​IMG]I choose the black leather with black stitching and I really love it. Extremely comfortable in the summer and winter. Only a couple hundred dollars and then your Tenso fees which are on sale for half off now.
     
    #15 El Nino, Feb 9, 2013
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  16. El Nino

    El Nino Member

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    I wish! Never say never though as I may be back in the area in May..not sure.
     
    #16 El Nino, Feb 9, 2013
  17. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I hope it's fixed now because that wheel looks sweet!
     
    #17 F8L, Feb 9, 2013
  18. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Adjusting the tie rods did the trick. It took just under one full turn of the tie rod on each side. Now I just need to do a zero pt calibration and I will be set.

    F8 L gets to inspect it later today...


    iPhone ?
     
    #18 The Critic, Feb 10, 2013
  19. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The wheel looks awesome. Keep it, bro! :)
     
    #19 F8L, Feb 10, 2013
  20. ucsmfu

    ucsmfu Senior Member

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    I'm having an issue, when I make a left or right with the steering wheel it makes a metal rattling sound, sounds like keys clinging, anyone notice this issue with their JDM steering wheel ?

    thanks
     
    #20 ucsmfu, Mar 2, 2013
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