How to repair steering wheel/column knocking on Toyota Prius in 30 minutes

[@andyz3925]

That 30 min job for you would take me an entire afternoon. I get a feeling you work at the Toyota Plant on the assembly line. Great work!

[@razvanstan6436]

I will take it as a compliment. I'm just a Toyota fan.

[@shaazy]

Wish you showed what it sounds like before lubricating. I have the 3rd gen Prius and mine is making this weird knocking sound when standing still and moving the steering wheel side to side. You can feel the play in your hand but you really can't tell if it's coming from the suspension or steering wheel. All bushes at the suspension were checked, mechanic advises it's the steering rack. The car otherwise drives GREAT so didn't meddle further, it tracks straight and handles well. Don't wanna mess anything up but if that annoying side to side knocking/rattle can be fixed, I'd loveee it!

[@NinoNlkkl]

I had 3 different noises to start at about the same time. 2011 Prius. Changes front struts, noise 1 gone. Loose steering colume fix, 2 noise fixed. 3rd noise, I'm still trying to figure out. It's seems this video might help.

[@toninocars]

Great video, I believe no one ever need it to replace those steering columns, all needed been a lubricant. I had many Toyotas and even at 5 months old some of them started to rattle Thanks for sharing! Well done

[@royflores9987]

Great video, I had to go back and watch the proper steps to connecting to battery cause I got a triangle light but it was because I didn't connect the orange clip first. Thanks Boss!

[@aviniysh203]

I'm warning you guys to take serious precaution before doing this job above. I screw up my wheel angle sensor upon lubing the steering rack and reinstalling back. It looks like a simple thing but once you got your wheel angle sensor adjusted then you are going to run into TC warning. Not sure whats the replacement cost going to be. This guy did the video should had warned other people the risk involved.

[@martinroberts3977]

Not sure what you did but the steering angle sensor can only go back in the exact same place. I think you may have broke a wire or something. get it to a Toyota Diagnostic person to help you locate what you did.

[@fadli2108]

If you remove the wiring from sensor then yes, it will be bad calibration But you made a point, why Toyota did not grease it in first place, it must be a reason !

[@v6pulsar]

Very professional work, nice to see and well done!

[@adivinesoul2505]

I started watching and thought 'yep, that's straight forward, I'll try that'.. That was when you got in behind the steering wheel and pushed the cover forward. Lo and behold it's quite a disassembly!

[@Dr.Hussein_Farouk]

I did that in corolla 2012, it worked! Many many thanks🌹

[@razvanstan6436]

Glad to hear that

[@NinoNlkkl]

How was the noise? Over rough roads?

[@Dr.Hussein_Farouk]

@@NinoNlkkl yes, I usually need to repeat this procedure every year and the noise is reduced alot

[@wattshumphrey8422]

I have a mechanical rattle in a 2013 Prius, dealer told me is the steering column (upper one, which is what is being worked on here) which is getting worse -- over bumps only. If you get a dealer "fix" they just replace the entire $1000+ assembly and charge you somewhere between $1500 and $2000. I don't believe what is shown in this video is a "repair" - might cover noise for awhile (thick grease needed...). But, the absence of, or thin grease will not cause a rattle, that is from space existing between two (previously closely mating...) mechanical components where it didn't before. Approach here is not a fix, might provide temporary relief, but nothing more. I did find a fix to my rattle. Problem was as follows: 1. my 2013 Prius power steering system uses an electric motor which is mounted to the side of the steering column under the dash; the electric motor is connected to the column by a gearing system with the power from the motor the source of the "power steering" (this system is used on many different Toyota models during model years before and after 2013, and the same part I replaced per details below is used on a few of them, perhaps all) 2. the connection between the motor and the shaft is via a gear mounted on the top of the motor shaft and a mating gear on the mechanism that transfers the motor power to the shaft. 3. this mating connection has a plastic "damper" that fits in between the mating gears to cushion it. Over time, this plastic part starts to crack and break into pieces, and when it does you get the rattle. Rattle occurs because of road vibration that is transmitted from wheels/steering assembly back up the steering column which then causes the column-motor drive connection to rattle. 4. here is a video which shows the part and where it is (only that, his fix doesn't work -- he's putting grease in the broken damper, instead of just replacing the $7 part) kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2iWlp94hp2IjqM 5. the Toyota part for the damper is: "Damper, Electric Power Steering Motor Shaft - Toyota (45254-28040)" // part number is: 45254-28040. I bought this part for $6.91, you can get it for less. NOTE a. I made the mistake of following some video's instructions for accessing the motor/column connection to replace the damper, and started from the top of the column, disconnecting instruments/sensors, removing steering wheel, etc., and ended up screwing something up; had to put it back together and take car to Toyota to fix what I damaged on my attempt to take column apart. b. I got Toyota to replace the damper and the service tech (who'd seen the rattling problem before and knew what to do...), was able to get to the motor/steering column connection under the dash (disconnected some linkages underneath dash and gained access to motor-shaft connection) and replaced the damper there. c. As he'd seen before, old plastic damper came out in pieces which he showed me. With new damper in, rattle went away completely. April 2024 - update... been driving in Tampa last couple of years, very bad roads, and I think rattle is starting again. If so, and progresses same as last time, rattle will get worse and worse. I imagine it is the same plastic damper cracking up and degrading again. It is possible that the age of my vehicle (2013 Prius with over 150k miles on it) has something to do with this (steering linkages, suspension worn and more slop, play, and rattle which would increase vibration forces transmitted back up column, etc.), although that is just a guess. If it gets bad again, I'll replace the damper again. A lot easier now that I know what it is...

[@radrcer]

Agree. Packing more grease will not dampen worn metal parts. I think this may be a huge waste of time

[@wattshumphrey8422]

@@radrcer Yah, whoever came up with this idea, does not understand basic mechanical systems. FYI - I found what my rattling problem was and got it fixed ($10 plastic "damper" in steering assist motor linkage degraded into plastic chips) -- if you have same problem, lmk know and I can dig up and send you info

[@TranquiloQuieto]

Hey bud what was the part you replaced ​@wattshumphrey8422

[@wattshumphrey8422]

@@TranquiloQuieto see my edited post, above -- details there

[@musoseven8218]

I think I have the same problem on a Suzuki, but I need to be sure. I had a similar noise/clunk/rattle over rough roads with a Toyota MR2. New nylon bush plus grease did the trick - that car was low mileage 3yr old car, as is the Suzuki! How many years have manufacturers been making cars? Well over a hundred and still they don't learn!

[@Sweetsalt7371]

Muso Seven my Suzuki has the same sound...I've spend hundreds of dollars to fix this issue and mechanics and its still the same ...now I see it's something I can do my self...thank u so much for this video

[@musoseven8218]

@@Sweetsalt7371 mine turned out to be the A pillar trims! Took a lot of tracking down using microphones etc. Hope that helps.

[@ghris5242]

Salut, foarte interesant video-ul! Ai idee care este codul pentru rulmentul in cauza? Merci!

[@lla697]

Thank you for this video, i will look into this fix for my 2009 Pontiac Vibe ( Toyota Matrix) with the same Electrical assist power steering module set up.

[@zahidayyaz9255]

Thank you very for sharing with us. I don't know what is the problem with my car, did everything change the anti roll bar drop links & D bushes as well but the noise is still there at the end mechanic said its steering rack problem he cant touch this only toyota have to do it and toyota charging me a lot. Can you plz advise me something regarding this issue. Thanks

[@NinoNlkkl]

What did you do to fix the problem?

[@marciabryce1379]

​@@NinoNlkklI'm having similar problem, rattling noise on bumpy roads,I change stabilizer links, steering coupling , and still the same noise, in my steering wheel.

[@tylertran93nsx]

Does the Prius have a steering damper electric? looks liema star green and gray in color? that usually makes the rattle and clunking sound over bumps going straight.

[@jamest163]

i think it can be steering intermediate shaft also.

[@AiselOmerbashi]

Thanks a lot man, your video was extremely helpful. Thank you again for posting this video.

[@marca90210]

Legend! Thanks for posting this.

[@dancazacu5096]

Salut! Asta e prius 2 sau 3? Se aplica fix-ul asta la ambele? Mersi!

[@williamtse6238]

Thank you for your effort. Very detailed video!

[@khimsophacarfixing]

This is a good technique 👍!

[@YuckFou0x0FFFF]

Thanks for the video. It would have been nice if you could've demonstrated the problem before fixing it. I have idea what was broken on your car.

[@amaljinadasa6695]

hey,my toyota prius steering wheel not smooth,intermediate shaft replaced,but the problem not solved,what is your openion?

[@arshadg6189]

Why cannot disconnect the cable on the column? 6.05

[@peaceineachsmile3871]

awesome video. Thank you

[@edriskohistani6582]

Do you have a workshop somewhere? my vehicle is the same model and it have same problem if you can fix it ? Thanks

[@razvanstan6436]

No, really sorry, I only do it for myself

[@Avdarmaly]

@@razvanstan6436which area are you? Maybe you can have a look at my prius please? Same problem.

[@ronaldoquintos1675]

You got to mark everything preferably with paint marker

[@radrcer]

At 6:45 you say inner bearing needs replaced, but the only thing you do is add more grease. So is there a replaceable bearing, or is the only solution to pack the inner and outer bearing races with more grease?

[@shahid750]

i hav play in steering wheel i change u joint but it get worse. its somewhere between steering and u joint.

[@ImranAli-dk9br]

Hi thank you for the video! If I don't fix this, is it dangerous?

[@razvanstan6436]

This is part of the steering system and everything that is part of steering system and/or break system I will consider dangerous if not fixed

[@andras_rigonta]

Do you have a video of how it rattled? Mine has a rattle somewhere there.

[@razvanstan6436]

No I don't have one...

[@MARCELLO6859]

@@razvanstan6436 was it similar of this? kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYqag6eAbdCYm8U

[@K94KEHL]

mine vibrates and knocks

[@wpcote108]

How did you know that this was the location of the rattle/noise coming from the steering??? I have the same issue but I cannot seem to locate the origin of the noise...

[@Fosgen]

You need to hear very wheel. I had same problem with RAV4. Sound was coming from right behind steering wheel.

[@marciabryce1379]

​@@Fosgenthis noise is driving me crazy.

[@tylertran93nsx]

So the clunking can be from that, intermendiate steering shaft or damper electric…..those 3? youtube videos have fix those all clunking issue with one of those fix but not one for sure.

[@2011Horsham]

Great work

[@aviniysh203]

After doing this procedure. My car got traction control light due to steering angle sensor. How to reset / remove the error?

[@Fosgen]

You should disconnected battery first of all. Try to disconnect it for 1 hour and connect back.

[@jamest163]

after resetting it, if it still pop up, that is mean probably your steering angle sensor faulty! you should disconnecting the negative battery before you doing this procedure!

[@Dr.Hussein_Farouk]

What about problems with steering sensor errors?

[@razvanstan6436]

I had no problem with that

[@NinoNlkkl]

Did you disconnect batteries before working on it?

[@phillipwhatley9684]

This repair was a major pain in my ass. But the video was very thorough in explaining the procedure. Some of the parts were much harder to pull off than they appear in the video. So I did all that work and I still have a clunk in my steering. Damn it all. Guess I'll replace all of the parts when I have the time and money

[@daninwaxhaw]

Awesome TY

[@josegarcia-th3pj]

so the bearing don't stick to the axle

[@hiphopwong]

On my 2010 Prius the cable is not long enough to pull off the tube to re grease!

[@talhaarmschannel]

What's the technical name for this bearing

[@razvanstan6436]

I wish I knew that but because I didn't I've just grease it.

[@easyfind01]

@@razvanstan6436 and after greasing, did the sound stopped completely or it just reduced drastically please? THANKS FOR THE VIDEO.

[@razvanstan6436]

@@easyfind01 Hi, the sound has gone completely but the grease has to be thicker

[@easyfind01]

@@razvanstan6436 Thank you very much for the swift response. I will replicate this as well cos I have the same issue. The sound makes me wanna take apart the car. Lolz. I hope its available in my locality. Thank you once again. I'll surely update here if it works for me.

[@Fishingboys2-w1d]

Will that work on a 09 camry?

[@razvanstan6436]

Not sure to be honest... Never tried on Camry

[@chingkoYtv]

The bearing are they Available in auto suply parts

[@MARCELLO6859]

In my case the noise is caused by the large gap created between the Teflon toothed wheel and the worm screw. I have to change the whole block :-(

[@levon5574]

mine is a UK model and same issue grease did not help. Looking to get rid of the car as the rattle in mine is unbearable

[@justfun1468]

Instead of disconnection of betry, u can switch of the car to remove air bag.

[@mariusapostol1987]

salut. mai ai masina? cum stai cu zgomotul, a revenit?

[@razvanstan6436]

Salu, Nu o mai am... Nu revenise cand am vandut-o

[@edriskohistani6582]

@@razvanstan6436 i have same problem with my toyota pruis 2010 if you can fix it please send me your number thanks.

[@joerosas2876]

Also check the mutiny.

[@talhaarmschannel]

What's the part number

[@razvanstan6436]

I don't know this... Sorry

[@Oni4You]

Ai un numar de telefon sau un fb sa te intreb ceva legat de subiectul asta ?

[@hectorsuero8629]

Tengo un movimiento en el guías ral Lex rel lex. A 2 millas

[@Volventures]

Awesome. This is so annoying to listen to driving around it makes it sound like the tie rods are bad.