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Power steering: is this normal?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by JayGoldstein, Oct 13, 2006.

  1. DFWPrius

    DFWPrius New Member

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    My 2005 was not part of the service letter when I first checked. But they did it when I took it in for an oil change. Looks like Toyota is going to do all Prius's with that unit.
     
  2. Katrina

    Katrina New Member

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    I found this thread after what is now the 4th visit/complaint to my toyota dealer about what I think is the same problem as you describe. I posted about it here in september.
    I mention it to them at every oil change, and at my 15k. Every time, they can't duplicate it and send it home. Every time, Its still doing it. I'm starting to get peeved. This week we dropped it off because of the steering thing, and also an engine light. The light turned out to be that they forget to reset the computer the last oil change. They were all ready to have us take it back home. We refused and demanded they figure out the steering problem.
    That was monday.
    They called us back, they STILL can't find a problem and are making us pick it up.

    again, its intermittant, and I cannot make it do the rattle on demand to show them. my confidence in my dealers service department lessens with each visit.
     
  3. JayGoldstein

    JayGoldstein Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Katrina @ Mar 14 2007, 01:02 PM) [snapback]405553[/snapback]</div>
    I went back and read your original posting. Trying to put into words how the steering feels is difficult. (BTW, I now have more sympathy for service managers who have to try to diagnose a problem based only the customer's description of the car's behaviour.)

    Your symptoms sound similar to mine. In my case, as time went on, the "knock" also happened when making a 90 degree turn while accelerating.

    As I mentioned, my dealer authorized the steering shaft replacement even though the technician couldn't replicate the "knock", and even though my 2006 was not among those covered by the steering TSB. It's apparent that not all dealers are so accommodating.
     
  4. JayGoldstein

    JayGoldstein Member

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    Well, 3500 kms (2100 mi) after the intermediate steering shaft was replaced, the "knock" in the steering started again. :(

    This time, the technician reported that the "lower coupler on the steering shaft is notchy." The part has been ordered.

    As I've mentioned previously, my '06 was not included in the steering shaft recall, but apparently it has the same defective parts.
     
  5. JayGoldstein

    JayGoldstein Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JayGoldstein @ Apr 12 2007, 11:18 AM) [snapback]422072[/snapback]</div>
    Well, the steering sliding yoke was replaced last week (@17,200 km). Unfortunately, I sometimes still can feel a slight "knock" (or momentary resistance) when turning the wheel quickly while the car is standing still or moving very slowly. If I avoid turning the wheel quickly in those situations, the steering is smooth. I've driven all kinds of cars with power steering, and the Prius is the only one that has acted this way. :(

    I understand that the Prius' electronic power steering includes a "torque sensor." Could a problem with the torque sensor cause the symptom I've described? If someone briefly can describe what the torque sensor does, I would greatly appreciate it.
     
  6. Mary Snyder

    Mary Snyder New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JayGoldstein @ Feb 15 2007, 11:45 PM) [snapback]391256[/snapback]</div>
     
  7. JayGoldstein

    JayGoldstein Member

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    The "knock" is felt while turning the steering wheel 180 to 360 degrees degrees to the left or right of centre. I've never felt it when the steering is at a full lock. I've noticed that the "knock" has become especially noticeable after the car has sat over night. In that case, I can make it happen by rotating the wheel back and forth through an arc of about 45 degrees to the left and to the right of centre.

    The technician who has worked on the car has determined that this is not normal. The big question is what is causing it. Since the "knock" went away (temporarily) after the intermediate steering shaft was replaced, is it possible that the replacement shaft also is defective?

    The service department at my dealership views this situation as a challenge to their troubleshooting skills, so I'm optimistic that, ultimately, the solution will be found. I'm taking the car in again next week and will see what they come up with.
     
  8. JayGoldstein

    JayGoldstein Member

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    Here's an executive summary of the latest news on my steering issue.

    I took the car in on May 7th @ 17,600 km. The technician initially said that the "knock" in the steering was typical of the Prii he had worked on. He invited me to compare my car with a 2007 Prius. The steering on the 2007 was very smooth. We then tried a 2004 Prius that was on the lot. It also had very smooth steering. At that point, the technician agreed that my car's steering was not like the others.

    He proceeded to check for any loose steering components and reported that everything was to specification. He adjusted the alignment of the replacement intermediate steering shaft. When I tested the car afterward, the "knock" was gone.

    I'm hoping that this is the end of the saga. If not, you'll read about it here.
     
  9. farrellcsun

    farrellcsun Junior Member

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    thanks for the post. My Prius has the same exact steering thing (noticed it at 7k miles). If you have any updates, let us know!

     
  10. JayGoldstein

    JayGoldstein Member

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  11. farrellcsun

    farrellcsun Junior Member

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    Thanks for the update. Glad to hear that it doesn't appear to have gotten worse. I'm one of those people who hate just having to "live with it" too. :)

    On a side note, my roommate checked out my car and is convinced it's more to do with the tires grabbing the pavement than anything mechanical. I'm VERY skeptical of this theory, but it would explain why on some surfaces I can't feel the knock and other times it happens more often.

    Anyways, good luck and i'll keep an eye on this topic.

     
  12. Katrina

    Katrina New Member

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    Mine is still a knocking as well. Its been over a year, and I complain each and every time I bring it in. I even drove 40 min to take it to a different dealer for its last oil chance, I was so pissed at the constant "could not replicate" response. The other dealer gave me the same excuse.

    Added to the frustration, my car also has a "squeak" it developed in the last year when going 40+ mph over light bumps in the road. Its a chirp-like metalic squeak that over the year has soooooo gotten on my nerves. The local dealer first claimed they 'fixed' it, blaiming the seat. The Squeak was still there. Next, they blamed the windshield that was replaced by my insurance glass coverage due to a ding. The glass repair guy went for a ride with me, verified its NOT the glass. finally the husband and I realized its the tweeter speaker on the front passenger side, and slapping the speaker grill with the heel of your hand produces the same exact metalic squeak.
    Now that we have tracked down the squeak, my tolerance for the car's quirks has increased.

    Of course, murphys law dictated that a co-worker BACKED INTO my prius when it was parked in the company lot (I was not in it). So the car is currently at the repair shop to get the bumper/etc straightened and painted.

    The 30k service is coming up, and I intend to complain, yet again, about the rattle. The bumper repair (front passenger side/corner) is done through a body shop, and I hope its going to be unnoticable when I get it back, lest my dealer try to blame the dent for the rattle. :rolleyes: :angry: I wouldn't put it past them after they tried to blame the squeek on the glass people. If nothing else, I've had over a years worth of entries complaining about the rattle. If they don't/can't fix it at the 30k, I'm writing a strongly worded letter to toyota.