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Prius steering

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by Hybrid Prius, Feb 8, 2020.

  1. Hybrid Prius

    Hybrid Prius New Member

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    I had to send my Toyota Prius off to the insurance to get fixed as someone hit the side of me.

    I picked it up a couple of days ago and the steering has gone very heavy
    I know it wasn’t like this before I took it in as I bought this car because of the light steering. The other 2 I test drove were how mine is now.

    I also noticed the tyre pressure all round is on 34 psi and I never put it on that I only go as high as 32 psi.
    Have they done something to my car and tried to hide it?
    I need to be sure before i Confront them
    regards
     
    #1 Hybrid Prius, Feb 8, 2020
  2. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Was there suspension or frame damage? Did they perform a four wheel alignment? Is the electrical power steering working?

    They may have treated the repair as purely cosmetic, when there was more serious damage.
     
    #2 Air_Boss, Feb 9, 2020
  3. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Active Member

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    In for answers.
    Post # 2 is great reply.

    DIY - Check fuses.
    DIY - Low tire pressure can make steering feel heavier, but typically not felt with only a few pounds difference.
    Else, back to repair shop, ask about checking the electric power steering system.as car drives differently.
    I doubt they are trying to hide something.

    Let us know the out come.
     
    #3 Kenny94945, Feb 9, 2020
  4. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    First, who paid for the repair? If its insurance don't worry about, take it back. If its you, at least take it back and find out whats wrong. Maybe take it to a dealer so you have evidence of whats wrong. If the electric power steering is bad from an electrical failure you would probably get a check engine light. No light, then its probably mechanical damage. Either way take it back. You are not "confronting" them, you are just letting them know something else is wrong. Very common.
     
    #4 rjparker, Feb 9, 2020
  5. Hybrid Prius

    Hybrid Prius New Member

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    Thanks for the reply guys.

    I thought they were hiding something as I never put the tyres on 34psi max i use is 32psi and before the car went to them it was steering perfect.

    it’s only since I got it back from them it’s started being really heavy.
    No warning lights on dash it’s just really heavy and sticky feeling since it’s been with them
     
    #5 Hybrid Prius, Feb 9, 2020
  6. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    In general, higher tires pressures will create lighter-feeling steering.
     
    #6 Air_Boss, Feb 9, 2020
  7. Hybrid Prius

    Hybrid Prius New Member

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    Hi I just took it to my mechanic and scanned for fault codes but as it’s an import nothing could be scanned

    I think il get the tracking looked at and see what they say.
    There’s no structural damage as it was hit at the back bottom right at low speed just cosmetic.
    shouldn't of affected the steering but il keep investigating and il get the car on the ramps at some point and give it a visual inspection
     
    #7 Hybrid Prius, Feb 10, 2020
  8. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    "as it’s an import nothing could be scanned" ???

    Find a new mechanic that understands OBD-II, which has been the diagnostic interface standard since 1996.

    OBDII Compatibility
     
    #8 Air_Boss, Feb 10, 2020
  9. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I'm pretty sure you can go to the EMPS (electric motor power steering) Live Data screen in Techstream and watch while you turn the wheel back and forth, and see what the torque sensor is saying about how hard you are turning the wheel, and how much current is being sent to the steering motor to assist you.
     
    #9 ChapmanF, Feb 10, 2020
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