I'm user from Thailand. Actually My Prius ran nearly 200,000KM. I have 1 problem about my suspension sound loose when run on dirt road. When I stop the car and hardly steer the steering wheel, it has sound the loose. My question, Are there prius 3 need to change the rack end or Tie rod? Please share your idea. I got suggestion about engine mount right. Can it be relate? Please suggest.
If it's a clunk you can feel in the steering wheel it could be the steering column shaft where it connects to the rack. That was a common issue with RAV4s and maybe other Toyota. If it's the tie rods or bushings you should see the problem on a lift. With the steering shaft it will only happen with the tires on the ground.
Thank you every one. @Currahee : Yes, right. This problem happen when tires on the ground but only on the dirt road, flat road is no any loose sound and it just happen on last 10,000KM passed. My Prius is version 2012 - 2016 made. Toyota doesn't solve this problem as he known this problem. Can you recommend part name or replacement item that I have to change? Toyota part number is OK.
Inspect the suspension for worn bushings; ball joints, sway bar links, etc. In addition to the tie rods. If it only happens on bumpy roads it probably involves the suspension. You'll want to find the source of the problem before you start buying parts.
Yes, I was inspected 3 repair shops. 1. Toyota dealer : he told me that the problem came from steering rack. He was re-force with steering intermediate shaft. the result is better but still loose sound when hardly steer with steering wheel. 2. Suspension shop : he told me that the problem came from steering rack. 1 booth in steering rack was loose. He recommends to change steering unit. Shop doesn't want to repair the steering rack. 3. Suspension shop : he told me that "not sure" and recommend to dis-assemble for check steering rack. But he checked the suspension booth by hold up on lift and shark the wheel. No problem for suspension. Or? his power is not enough to shake the bushing. That's why, I cannot inspect this problem.
Thank you very one to see this post. I can solve this problem by inject the grease in steering core. Same problem as RAV4 2009 noise. No change anything by $14 cost(only labor cost maintenance), Toyota grease was free of charge by Toyota dealer. After that my steering is more better firmly.
Have pictures of that? My Priii have the same problem. In bumpy roads, steering seems a little lose...
You can see in below youtube link. "" This is the main point for this problem. But you have to make sure your suspension firmly before. In Thailand, This problem occur at Camry Hybrid. Toyota engineer never saw this problem in Prius3. Or, another one has change the steering rack? They don't think the deep route cause same as me. I don't know.
