Steering rattle fix!!!

well done, thanks!

 

Some notes to add to this:
You don't have to remove the kick panel entirely to work on the top bolt. You can just unplug the Fob reader and the dash dimmer, and set the kick panel on the floor.

You can work on the bottom bolts after putting the dash back together.

The bolts may not seem loose, even testing with a ratchet. Tighten them anyways. On my 06, the dealer only inspected the intermediate shaft, replacing the bolt at most. All 3 bolts seemed tight. I tightened the top bolt, grabbed the intermediate shaft, and it still had slop. It looked like it was coming from the rack itself (worn rack or bushings), not the shaft, but I tightened the bottom 2 bolts anyways, and the slop seems to be gone now (at 168k, I'll probably replace the rack bushings sooner or later anyways).

 

Has the steering intermediat shaft recall ever been performed? It sound like poster 1&3 have the problem that the recall fixes.

See if you have any outstanding recalls. Enter VIN here, Lookup Safety Recalls & Service Campaigns by VIN

 

The recall "was done". But the recall doesn't guarantee that the intermediate shaft is REPLACED, just INSPECTED. In the case of my car, they said inspected and replacement not needed. I'd have to dig out the paperwork to see if they replaced the bolt or just tightened it.

 

I'm so glad I came across this post while searching for Wth ever was going on with my Prius! My 2012 Prius with 80K started having this rattle sound coming from the driver's side dash area. At first, I thought it was the front strut. After taking to a shop to inspect the suspension without results, I talked the dealership into looking at it when I brought it in for an unrelated recall (software update). I don't how I talked them into it as I declined the diagnosis that had a $150 price tag! I half suspect that they didn't even look at and just told me that I needed the steering shafts replaced because they knew about this issue from the previous generation. I took it to yet another shop, that didn't charge a diagnosis fee, but they just said that it's possible I need new shaft(s) and to take it to yet another shop that could do an alignment (it's also pulling to the right) and inspect it more closely! This is when I thought that nobody really knows exactly what's up with this vehicle. I was about to give in and just have someplace go ahead and replace the damned shafts when I found this post. After a half an hour, I had tightened the bolt on the top of the shaft up behind the steering wheel and the bottom one on the shaft near the floor and the rattling and the shaking was gone! I didn't need to take off the vent or kick panel, only the small black piece that holds the tire sensor stuff and let it hang to access the top bolt and the bottom access was easy as you described. Wow, I just saved $980!! Thank you very much!

 

Just wanted to confirm that cranking down at 50-60 ft-lbs (1/8 - 1/4 turn for me) on the aforementioned intermediate steering column shaft upper and lower clamp bolts fixed every bit of the slop steering column rattle on my 2011 Lexus CT200h (Prius with a different emblem). Hope this helps someone!

 

I've only been a Prius owner for a 4 months now and I've had this issue since I bought it and I must say thanks to this advice the issue has gone.

However I do have to add you won't need to remove any of the panelling/ dash covers etc except the plastic/rubber cover on the lower universal joint. To remove the plastic/rubber cover there's 2 white 10mm plastic nuts which you can loosen by hand.

You can tighten the the upper 12mm bolt by turning the steering wheel to an angle where the bolt head is exposed. Use a 3/8 Ratchet with a short 12mm hex socket.

The bottom Bolt do the same once you remove plastic/rubber cover turn the steering wheel so the bolt head is exposed. You might need a 6 inch extension to make things easier.

Unfortunately I think at some point I will have to replace the Universal Joint as I could feel a little play in it in the lower joint, the good news is it shouldn't take much time to change it.

Having driven it theres no noise at the moment so.....

Thank you very much for the Advise.