Steering Wheel Adjustment on 2005 Prius

I brought my Prius in for the factory recall to replace the steering column piece that supposedly would break if you somehow slammed into a wall going 60 MPH, and when I received my car back - the steering wheel was now off-center.

I called the dealership who booked me an appointment to bring my car in. A few days before I brought the car in to fix the steering wheel issue, I started hearing a "KA-LUNK" sound every time I started and stopped in heavy traffic.

Ok - brought the car in, and a mechanic came out with me on a ride - and I explained the issue and the mechanic even said the steering wheel was out of adjustment (off-center).

He didn't know about the ka-lunk sound, but said he would check the undercarriage for any particular problems.

An hour and a half later - I was ready to go - but imagine my surprise when I am no more than 2 blocks away that I see that the steering wheel was NOT fixed.

I called the dealership and complained, saying that they had NOT fixed the steering wheel and it was STILL off center.

I am not going to take my car back into the Marin Toyota service center - EVER again.

My question is - HOW hard is it to align the steering wheel on a 2005 Prius??

Oh - while I was driving away, I heard the ka-lunk sound again - this time very loudly. I stopped and finally checked under my seat. Imagine to my surprise I found a bottle of 12 oz Crystal Gieser water.

I removed it and ka-lunk sound went away...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Sep 19 2006, 03:26 PM) [snapback]321800[/snapback]</div>

Thanks Pinto Girl - That's exactly what the service manager said - he said the steering wheel was lined up and checked. However, the when you see the steering wheel, it is definatelly out of alignment. I took my Prius to Firestone today and they did an alignment AND fixed the steering wheel issue and only cost me $68 for the job.

I am happy to pay as long as they do (and fix) what I ask for - but sadly, it seems like the only thing the dealership wants to do is piss off the customers and *NOT* do the work to the customers satisfaction.

When I was there, a lady who brought her Prius in for brakes said that within a week they started grinding, and this was the 2nd time she had been in there for brakes and she was pretty upset about it. I don't know how a service department like that can still be in business with such poor results. I told her to take her car to Midas and have them do it - at least they have a money back gaurentee.