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Strange noises when using the steering wheel after restart

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Greg_FR, Jun 25, 2017.

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  1. Greg_FR

    Greg_FR New Member

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    Hello,

    I'm from France and I have Strange noises when using the steering Wheel just after starting the car :
    - As soon as the steering wheel is starting to be turned : a clacking noise is heard and felt in the hand, as if the steering wheel was a little stuck and gets loosened up. This noise can be heard whenever the car has been off and parked for around half an hour at least (sometimes less)
    - After 90 degrees, 2 very close "klongs" can be heard. They are not felt in the hand. This noise can be heard after each restart of the car, even after a short stop.

    Then, no more noises, even if I drive a long time (even in traffic jams) until the next restart of the car...

    Three videos will show you exaclty what the problem sounds like (sound is boosted so that you can here well the Strange noises) :





    Do you experience the same noises ? Or at least one of them ?
    I've done a poll on a french forum and about half of the people answered they experienced the second noise ("klongs") but not the first apparently (to be confirmed).

    Thank you very much for your help !
     
    #1 Greg_FR, Jun 25, 2017
  2. booke02

    booke02 Active Member

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    Doesn't sound right to me. You should take the car back to your Toyota dealer and let them figure out what is causing the problem.
     
    #2 booke02, Jun 25, 2017
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  3. pakitt

    pakitt Senior Member

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    Weird. It sounds like the wheels grab on the floor and the slip and transmit the sound to the steering wheel...
    I'll try tomorrow but I don't recall having it.
     
    #3 pakitt, Jun 25, 2017
  4. Greg_FR

    Greg_FR New Member

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    @pakitt,
    No, it's definitely not linked to the wheels, it's some kind of mechanical noise...
    Yes, thank you to check on yours ;-)

    @booke02,
    I already reported it a few times but got no real answer so far.
    I'll retry and have them watch my videos. I would like them to escalate to Toyota, another member from the french prius forum already managed to do it.
     
    #4 Greg_FR, Jun 25, 2017
  5. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Does it make the sound while in motion?
     
    #5 alanclarkeau, Jun 25, 2017
  6. Greg_FR

    Greg_FR New Member

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    @alanclarkeau,

    You get the noises once after each start (power on) of the car, moving the car or parked.
    After that, you get no more noise until the next shutdown/restart of the car.
     
    #6 Greg_FR, Jun 26, 2017
  7. RavMan

    RavMan New Member

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    I would get someone to look under the car while you turn the wheel.
    I had a Toyota Prado (not prius) that had loose universal steering bolts that would clunk but only from side to side. Had some slop in it.
    Its like your power steering is hitting something or cavitating. levels correct? Cold fluid?
     
    #7 RavMan, Jul 4, 2017
  8. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    I'm pretty the Prius uses electric power steering. Thus, no fluid to check.
     
    #8 Trollbait, Jul 4, 2017
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  9. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    I've just tried mine and it does the same, although it's not as loud as that. It only does it when stood still so I never noticed it before as I don't usually turn the steering whilst stood as it put all sorts of stress on the steering gear and if done often can flat spot the tyres.
    I put it down to the front springs/struts twisting, nothing to worry about.
     
    #9 kithmo, Jul 6, 2017
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  10. Greg_FR

    Greg_FR New Member

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    @kithmo

    Thank you for your feedback.
    Do you also have the first "clacking" noise when you just start turning the steering Wheel or do you just have the "klongs" noises that I get after around 90 degrees.
    I suspect that the "kongs" noises are widespread (and probably normal), as the first "clack" noise may be a specific issue on mine.
     
    #10 Greg_FR, Jul 6, 2017
  11. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Applying full lock with any more than very gentle force produces a clunk as the electric power steering his the stop. At least that's what I think mine is doing.
     
    #11 RCO, Jul 7, 2017
  12. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    No initial clacking just the klonging at 90 degree turn of the wheel. LOL I feel like I'm learning a new technical language here.
     
    #12 kithmo, Jul 7, 2017
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  13. arntz

    arntz Junior Member

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    Hi GREG-FR
    My Prius does the same thing. I believe it's the strut bearing above the coil spring.
    Take it up with the dealer if you want, but I wouldn't be worried about it.
     
    #13 arntz, Jul 23, 2017
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  14. Chippingawayatlife

    Chippingawayatlife Active Member

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    I think I asked about this on PC once. Mine does this everytime too. I always thought it was cold tires on asphalt. Very loudly too. And since I always drove regular non-hybrids before this Prius, I assumed most cars would make a similar noise but I wouldn't have been able to hear it through the ICE.
     
    #14 Chippingawayatlife, Jul 31, 2017
  15. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    The first click/clunk is the rotor breaking free of the pads and the second one can only be described as the noise of the steering mechanism reaching the full extent of its travel. I believe there is nothing to worry about - PROVIDING you don't slam the steering wheel to the so to hard/often. (y)
     
    #15 RCO, Jul 31, 2017
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2017
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  16. iamvietdang

    iamvietdang Member

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    My 2016 4T does this as well no matter how long it has been parked and regardless of surface or temp. I used to work at a Toyota dealership and had my tech quickly put it on the lift to investigate. We found both strut tower bearings binding up. We replaced them and the noise went away for 2 days. Then the noise returned. If enough owners make a complaint, Toyota will come out with a TSB.
     
    #16 iamvietdang, Sep 6, 2017
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  17. Chippingawayatlife

    Chippingawayatlife Active Member

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    Is this an safety issue, or just an annoyance?
     
    #17 Chippingawayatlife, Sep 7, 2017
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  18. Chippingawayatlife

    Chippingawayatlife Active Member

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    Is there a link I can send something in, or do I have to take it to Toyota? If it's a safety issue now or in the future, id rather have it fixed before the warranty is up.
     
    #18 Chippingawayatlife, Sep 9, 2017
  19. Chippingawayatlife

    Chippingawayatlife Active Member

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    Is there a link I can send something in, or do I have to take it to Toyota? If it's a safety issue now or in the future, is rather
     
    #19 Chippingawayatlife, Sep 9, 2017
  20. xcx

    xcx Junior Member

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    New 4th gen prius owner here. I bought mine preowned and it's been doing that sound since I got it. I brought it to Toyota and at first they "could not replicate" the sound (of course lol!) but when I showed it to the mechanic, he never knew about it until I brought it up. We tested another preowned 4th gen on their lot and confirmed that it did the same thing.

    Annoying but hopefully they come up with a TSB on this.
     
    #20 xcx, Jan 23, 2019
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