2006 Toyota Hybrid Prius Steering wheel not moving front tires anymore

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Might be the 'Prius Steering Intermediate Shaft', which had a safety recall for some vehicle years.

https://lusciousgarage.com/blog/prius_steering_intermediate_shaft_recall_c0t_-_details_for_owners/

If that is the problem, most likely. Have you been able to locate the source of the noise?

This could be a two person job, one person slowly turns the wheel, while the other looks at or touches the shaft between the two pedals.



If this inspection doesn't help locate the problem, then post again in this thread for additional guidance.

Your steering issue may be covered by "C0T", use your VIN or license plate # to check for safety recalls or campaigns at : Lookup Safety Recalls & Service Campaigns - if the website doesn't work, then call the dealership and give them your VIN and they can tell you what is or isn't available to you (for free).

FYI : you're moderated until you've posted 5 times.

 

There's definitely a mechanical repair needed, possibly the intermediate shaft as SFO suggested. It might be DIYable, depending on your skills and what it turns out to be. In any case, it doesn't have to be fixed at a Toyota dealer; any competent mechanic should be able to handle it if you don't DIY, and might have a better price than the dealer. If it is covered by a recall or service campaign, then of course you won't beat the dealer's price.

As one extra thing, if you really were turning the wheel past where it normally stops, a new spiral cable (an electrical part just behind the steering wheel) is probably also needed now. Its normal range of motion is only between the normal stops of the steering, and it has probably been damaged/torn by exceeding that.

 

The wrecking yards pull the steering rack and sell it pretty quick on Gen2 Prius. It's a fairly popular used part people buy...

 

Yep clock spring is probably shot. That intermediate shaft looks exactly as the one on my corollas of similar years and a few years earlier I have changed a few I never knew there was a recall on them they pretty much slide down slide off and pull up that sort of thing it wasn't a big deal when I remember doing this