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Steering clunk

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by mjschwar, May 1, 2014.

  1. mjschwar

    mjschwar Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2010
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    Location:
    Altadena, CA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    My 2004 has had the recall work done on the steering, although I do not have the highest opinion of my local dealer's service department. I regularly make a very low speed hard left turn as I u-turn to park in front of my house. Recently, I have noticed a clunk when I am about 3/4 of the way through the turn, as if (I think) my right front wheel were slipping off of a little lip, but there is nothing evident in the road surface. Does this sound like the kind of problem that the TSB/recall was supposed to prevent?
     
    #1 mjschwar, May 1, 2014
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
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    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
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    Plug-in Base
    the recall was to prevent loss of steering due to separation of the steering shaft connector due to hard turns in either direction. i would take it back, perhaps they didn't tighten the bolt to spec. in the meantime, when you make that turn, be gentle.
     
    #2 bisco, May 1, 2014
  3. Sezy

    Sezy Active Member

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    Oct 19, 2013
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    Location:
    Saint Charles, Missouri
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    Sound like this?



    My VIN was not included in any steering recalls after checking with Toyota and some other recall sites.
     
    #3 Sezy, May 24, 2018
    Last edited: May 24, 2018
  4. Rufus T. Firefly

    Rufus T. Firefly 2004 Gen II Prius

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2004
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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    II
    My 2004 Prius is making the same noise. I think I've isolated it to the electric power steering (EPS) unit. My VIN was not included in the intermediate shaft recall and actually the intermediate shaft and u-joints all seem to be tight. Does anyone have a diagram of the EPS? If it is indeed the problem I'd like to try to disassemble and fix it rather than paying $1,200 for a new EPS unit.

    Suggestions greatly appreciated!

     
    #4 Rufus T. Firefly, Aug 7, 2020
  5. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Jul 25, 2007
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    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Crap thats not good if I jiggled the steering wheell on my 07 like that I would be changing lanes its so tight. It sounds like the noise is in the cabin. there's a u joint at the bottom of that steering column in the cabin its behind a plastic plate if i remember right.

    get down there to look and listen and have someone giggle the wheel and see where that sound is coming from. I have lubricated that ujoint on mine.

    There's a few posts on it.

    On Rufus post there have been a few posts about it. The steering system on this car is very good not many posts about it just crazy tight zero dead band. Pat Wong a veteran pc'er experienced one himself he may come along soon.

    Both of you guys use the search forum tab up top and search EPS.
     
    #5 edthefox5, Aug 7, 2020
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