Trip to the Dealer! Steering Knocking in DASH! Loose Column?? Toyota Prius

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”Intro Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio”
Thanks to Jesse for making the intro and graphic for us to enjoy!!

[@lou-fcb5529]

Jump Scare connecting the airbag was FUN! Haha🤣

[@Jica]

it got me good.

[@shakerman55]

Yep, spilled coffee!

[@arnozvej]

I'm watching with headphones 😁. At that moment, my head like: gotta go 😂.

[@Wheel_Horse]

Glad I read this before it came up! Thanks!

[@MonkeyJedi99]

@@Wheel_Horse I read this before the jump-scare, I was waiting for it, and it STILL got me

[@ungdern]

I hope people understand how hard working under the dash is, cause your camera skills make it look easy! Great work dude!

[@Calango741]

AMEN to that! I was thinking that I would not be able to do what he does with the camera in one hand most of the time and working with just the other.

[@johnellis9147]

My ribs hurt just thinking about what he is doing…

[@NemoConsequentae]

Makes my back hurt just watching him work in there, because I've gone under there on my cars a few times myself!

[@Calango741]

@@NemoConsequentae Been there, done that, TOO MANY times...

[@craigjorgensen4637]

At 150.00 hr labor rates that would be an expensive job and a miserable one too. I don’t know how Ray can remember how everything gos back together! It’s rare to see many guys past their 50’s still wrenching. This is a prime example of the reasons why! They earn their money!

[@denishannon7302]

Hi Ray & WIFE UNIT, the rally good thing about your recordings are (apart from showing us oldies different things) it shows vehicle owners how hard some jobs are & why the repairs cost so much,

[@catherinemorgan2741]

Love that wife unit put out there to get you to make noises like the old days ROFL

[@paulocarvalho6480]

After all things considered, it was a good thing you did work on that Hyundai Sonata steering gear. It just made this job a lot easier. Lauren singing the clock music was hilarious. Had a good laugh out of that. Dave climbing that ladder unaided ? He knows what he's doing for sure, but shouldn't be alone.

[@johnmoloney5296]

A case of once bitten twice shy! The Hyundai experience was a great learning experience of the kiss principle, keep it simple!!

[@InCountry6970]

Wow, what a diagnosis. To tear into a steering column like that and hope to find the problem and then find the broken gear is very impressive. But then you always impress me.

[@opendstudio7141]

Hope he retightened that steering knuckle before reinstalling that boot on the firewall. Would be something easy to overlook.

[@thewelchguy1920]

As he mentioned he had found this type of broken part and repair the hard way, so I think he sorta kinda knew what to look for first.

[@basbass429]

That is called experience, that Hyundai learning experience was a lesson he will never forget.

[@annone6462]

Ray follows his inner spirit that leads him to the solution.

[@niveKOnBass]

the steering column noise is a very common problem with Prius. thx for this video you helped a lot of people. as for that brake noise, direct your attention to the ABS brake actuator (you have to remove the stupid cowl to get to it, as ALL REPAIRS ON THIS STUPID VEHICLE REQUIRE YOU TO DO). I hate this car. to remove the cowl, Wiper arms (14mm, 21 ft lb)->plastic panel (you can bend it if you want to prevent breaking the plastic trim pieces on the side, $10 a piece, either approach is risky)-> wiper motor transmission, 4x 10mm bolts -> 10x 10mm bolts->bracket removal 3x bolts->remove metal cowl. If the ABS actuator is indeed bad, their brakes will still work, but they will need to apply a lot of force on the pedal whenever they want to stop. it happens often without warning so they can easily get into an accident. it's a 2 part braking system, if the actuator fails, it relies solely on the normal braking system as a fail-safe. you can find the actuator online for about 500 bucks. this is a common problem with these. as for bleeding the brakes after the repair there's ways to do it with a scan tool for the rear, tech stream, and also ways to do it without any of those. the actuator is sitting where you'd typically find a brake booster on an old chevy truck or something

[@Invisibleman7]

I haven’t seen one of videos that i didn’t like Ray.Always enjoy and always watch till the end.

[@SeanBZA]

Center piece is there to keep the coupling from collapsing, easier to make it a separate part, than the make the more expensive mould, that you would need to have the polymer injection work, and not fill it with the green damper as well. Solid center on the mould to hold the part in place for the second run, making alignment easier for the robotic arm placing it in position. Likely made on a fully robotic plant, so as to keep consistency, and only a few workers who take the finished parts, do a final fettling and QC check, then place it in the bag, seal it, and apply the label for it.

[@mobility63]

As a window tinter acustomed to removing interior plastic panels I applaud your dexterity. I hate doing it as those tabs get very brittle and sometimes break and then your sol!

[@josh.alderman85]

That was a fantastic edit with the airbag re-click! Gotta admit, it got me for a sec! 😂

[@lloydweems6237]

The best under dash filming on KZbin.

[@johnt.848]

This is a first for me too, I've never looked at a Prius except in passing.

[@cranefly23]

So because the manufacturer chose to use nasty little plastic components, the vehicle owner ended up with a fairly substantial bill for the labour involved, but the part only cost a few dollars (I would guess.) Great to see how you used your experience to work out where the problem was, Ray. You earned every cent involved in disassembling and reassembling all that stuff. I’d almost bet money that lesser vehicle technicians would’ve made an even bigger job of that - and I’m not a gambling man. Great video. 👍

[@jamram9924]

Toyota isn’t like other manufacturers like Ford, GM and Stellantis (Chrysler). They typically use certain materials because they perform better than others. These two surfaces mate for the electric power steering module. Toyota has a vastly different mentality/ideas that North American automakers. They have a history of observing/studying/dissecting what other automakers do before they introduce their version.

[@Tread1775]

It surprised me the part was available. Usually, the manufacturers make it part of the whole assembly, costing more.✌️

[@mintyfreshness78]

on some parts its by design . better to sacrifice a coupler or bushing etc than the metal part that will be way more expensive and labor intensive to replace. metal on metal would wear fast. and bein in an area that cant be greased or lubed the same thing would happen and be more expensive to replace.

[@tractorsold1]

Toyotas have a reputation for being quiet. Normally metal to metal would be louder. Thatbpiece of plastic apears to exist soley for the purpose if reduving noise during normal wear. Anything can wear out.

[@davealexander1201]

The spider coupling is a were item, & is cheaper to replace than two halves that the spider goes between.

[@jimbriggs70]

Glad to see you work on a Prius because I am getting ready to move to Florida and wanted to get near enough to your shop to take advantage of your service. Should make good vids for you. I have a Prius, a Bentley Continental and a Scania Semi. Just waiting to see you work on the other two.

[@loydalexander154]

Ray I've always used a stethoscope and a leanth of break line steel tube on it to pin point noise on different things works really good right to the point

[@Captainbumble]

Back in the day a long screwdriver ear to handle, also worked

[@Calango741]

@@Captainbumble That's exactly what I was going to say... 🤓

[@ronniemullis8717]

Glad to get my daily dose of Rainman back and happy you’re feeling better. My wife’s been having too much for me to do.

[@russellstarr9111]

It's amazing how much trouble a tiny little part can cause.

[@MrTytyth]

I'm impressed, you worked on a Toyota without the connectors breaking

[@johncooper4637]

It is normally the connectors in the engine bay that break. The ones in the cabin don't get nearly as hot. Almost all my connectors on the engine were broken but when I pulled all the wiring from the cabin there was not a single broken connector and this was a 1985 MR2 being converted to a race car.

[@TonicofSonic]

​@@johncooper4637John, I want to drive your race car.

[@denniss5512]

Hi Ray, We use lots of those style couplers in industry. Normally refered to as "spiders". Industrial motors, pumps and all commonly use these to minimize vibration.

[@rjb6327]

The mice have colds and/or the exercise wheel needs lubricating. Getting nauseous with the new head mount camera.😮‍💨 Fun edit with the air bag connector. 😆

[@jimc2445]

I had that exact same part fail on a 2013 Kia Optima EX Hybrid. It was handled as a recall at no cost to me. They said that the original part was made with a material that broke down in our type of climate ( I am also in Florida) and that the updated part was made of a different material that was still plastic but withstood the environment better. Their design was a little easier to get to. Great video.

[@egyphon]

You probably know, your timeclock is playing Für Elise (Letter to Elise) by Beethoven. Fancy.

[@kennyshepherd8311]

…and operating with one hand, while the other hand is videotaping! Thank you!

[@dennislink7957]

Ray can do more with one hand than I could with three, which often time I’ve wished for.

[@donbenjamin3]

This video has it all: intrigue, chase scenes, and great relief when the perp was found and there weren’t any parts left over. Whew!

[@Leon-qc7fe]

It always feels good to tackle a job you have not done before, take it all apart without breaking something, find the problem, replace the part and it is done. Next time you do one of those it will take half the time.

[@kingtut5923]

There is no next time

[@Britt-h4s]

You make everything look easy!!

[@kendiggy]

I haven't watched the whole video to see if you figured out the brake thing, but it sounds like there was a recall on the brake accumulator that they are extended warranties to cars as old as early 2000's for a replacement. The forum I was in, a guy made a video that had the exact sound

[@imagseer]

That was a good one, we could see what you were working with. They need to make those little plastic gear things out of something stronger .

[@latisimusd]

Good vid on "odd noise" deep dive diag + floor pan yoga.

[@shakerman55]

Reminds me of my days working at a dealership. When I first started, I got all of the interior dash type of jobs. Seems like they all payed 2/10’s. I hate working under a dash! You almost made it look easy, and I know it’s very hard. Great job!👏

[@JohnADoe-pg1qk]

It's easy for the camera because it has no human body attached and isn't affected by gravity like a human.

[@jimalcott760]

It’s a job for little people….

[@brettemerich3237]

Ray first s Hyundai now a Prius. The cool part is there isn’t a power steering pump to go bad. Where’s your dog?🐕 Ray have a good day

[@jimalcott760]

The dog is at the Vet being checked for break clean damage…..

[@dvpa1]

STOP that noise,,,,,,, Glad you are back😀

[@bluepeterN900]

Ray, you are the best of the best. I have a similar problem with a 2012 Prius. At Toyota, I was told that the only possible repair is to replace the appropriate power steering. According to the local Toyota, there is no part that can be replaced and therefore it is necessary to order a complete power steering. Thanks to you, I know where the problem is and how to eliminate it. God bless people like you.

[@ken2tou]

Nice when a lesson pays off! 👍🏼

[@Jackhole_Cat]

Nice confirm kill! And glad to hear the wife unit doodlie doo's... Your content always makes me smile...

[@92mrsrdb]

Wife Unit trolled you pretty good on the time clock....she's awesome! Give her a raise 😅

[@michaelnolastname5405]

That brake sound is the captive Prius Creature that powers the car sending a coded message demanding his (or her) freedom. Let the creature be free!

[@danwhitaker9168]

I was thinking it was the squirrel or hamster trying to escape. 😁

[@tomstyer375]

Ray, If I had to put together what you took apart, I would have had a lot of left over fasteners! Great job diagnosing that motor. Toyota would probably not find that broken gear. Glad to see you're feeling better!

[@KabukeeJo]

If I ever move down to FL, I'm taking my car to your shop!

[@johnmason-smith]

I have watched your channel for quite a while. You are a genius. You have great diagnosis techniques.

[@solargarage]

Nice find on the steering assist coupler.

[@villagerock]

I love what you do and how you explain your step by step approach to fix the problem. I am in no way a mechanic but am still glued to the videos that you put on. Keep up the good work Ray !!!

[@richarddouchkov9453]

oh happy days, just finished watching a Rainman Ray video only to find another one in the waiting.

[@golf25radioman]

Very interesting that the electric assist steering issue was very similar to the Hyundai one you did a while back. Great video showing the "peeling back the onion" of the dash components to get to it. Again, I am amazed at you attacking these, almost like you've done one before even though it's the first time. Thanks for taking us along. Nice Lauren/Wife Unit cameo too. 😊

[@Salmomlox]

That back up beeping in the Prius would make me insane. It sounds like some animal trying to get out from underneath the hood or dashboard 😲😲

[@dennislink7957]

I always try to take the old part with me. Years ago, I was working at a 4X4 shop and a guy came in with an older Land Rover. They are called Defenders now but then they were a Series 3. I needed new brake shoes. I put the shoes on the counter and tell him I need shoes for an 88 wheel base Landy . He tells me those are off a 109” wheel base. 109s were the big 4 door. No these are off an 88 I tell him. He answers no they are off a 109. We go back and forth like this for a while. Finally I ask him if he has shoes like these. Yes he does but they won’t fit. They did.

[@rhodium69]

All that work for a little piece of plastic, the car manufactures need to use less plastic crap on cars . Great catch Ray and as usual your professionalism is amazing maybe its time to teach other shops your skills.

[@blahorgaslisk7763]

Problem is all the customers ask for is for it to be quiet and comfortable, and all the manufacturer looks at is cost and ease of installation. The idea that you would want to take it apart isn't part of the equation as they are counting on most repairs being payed for by the customers. So for the manufacturer it really doesn't matter if it's hard as hell to get into. The designs are intended to keep intact until whatever warranty the manufacturer offer has run out. After that it's just a good idea if the car starts costing. In the end the customer will need a new car, and that's what the manufacturers want to sell.

[@JohnADoe-pg1qk]

Ok, but perhaps without this part made of plastic you would have a constant clicking sound of metal-to-metal. I don't know.

[@Calango741]

Automotive designers and engineers have NEVER taken into consideration the people who have to work on them...!!

[@johncooper4637]

@@Calango741Old VWs from the 50s and 60s had that problem, too.

[@Calango741]

@@johncooper4637 I believe that was included in what I said.

[@artillerest43rdva7]

there is minimal space under the dash, you have to be consorted positions to work and repair. great find, and fixing it up.

[@barrythomas6429]

Your ability to undo and manipulate clips, nuts and bolts with one hand is amazing.

[@leegunter5223]

Great video! Even though you misdiagnosed that Hyundai you learned from that and made the correct diagnosis on the Prius ! Well done!

[@scottvolage1752]

Good morning, Ray and Wife Unit. Have a good day everyone.

[@muffindell]

Amazing, you've done it again, complete success, I bet that the main dealer would have replaced the whole steering column to get rid of the noise.

[@BoogeyMan828]

If Ray can't fix it then it aint broke, you are. Ray really is the Rainman

[@terryriley2758]

Ray's the best diagnostician I've ever seen. Nice job with the damaged gear!

[@RCRadioShow]

He learned the hard way on that Hyundai steering column.

[@scolley0616]

​ @RCRadioShow I had a 2013 Sonata with that very issue. Bushing was shreaded!

[@RCRadioShow]

@@scolley0616 I think that was a Sonata in the other video. Ray replaced a U-joint first and that didn't fix the issue. He had to eat that part of the repair including the cost of the U-joint.

[@scolley0616]

@@RCRadioShow I remember that, I wanted to shout through the PC, check the bushing!!!

[@jeffreym755]

I beg to disagree

[@JohnDarwin7]

Good diagnosis.👍

[@lonesomelenny7606]

Man, you do some knuckle busting jobs.Even when I was young & healthy I couldn't do take on those projects. Bravo!

[@TurboTimsWorld]

OMG Ray its bad enough in the UK watching you work on the steering column on the wrong side of the car then you throw in a road trip and drive on the wrong side ! LOL love the videos x

[@pokefan5022]

Wrong side? We drive on the right side kind sir. 76 countries drive on the left side, whereas 163 drive on the right side.

[@richieosborne7477]

Video proof that Dave was “high” at work! Lol 😂 ✌️

[@Hobotraveler82]

Another great adventure with Rainman Ray's Repairs. Got us a Pruis but where is the chihuahua. 😅

[@tcseacliff]

Holy Crap! Watching you get hose bolts back in!!😱made my body hurt watching!!my arthritis would not like that!!!lol!

[@xgetbackupx]

The steering motor has a little cushion that causes that noise in my car. I replaced it without taking out the wheel was pretty easy. Glad to see your back to work and feeling better missed your videos 📹

[@johnturner9561]

OMG Ray while I never miss a video I was starting to get a little motion sickness.

[@TXCherokee]

Like the Tahoe you’re driving. Sounds good too

[@Dave.76]

Another great repair, Love the guys empire sticker on the back window 😂😂. How long before we see rays repairs on the billboard out the front???

[@roxanneabbott8424]

You never disappoint Ray! No powering down? Hehe!

[@garygross3590]

Love the dodadoos. Wife unit rocks. awesome video 🎉

[@ConstantinVictor66]

Good work, sir! Experience speaks for itself.

[@GeorgeKennedy-u4r]

Seem to recall an old movie like that. A sunken submarine with hammering from inside the hull. Turned out to be a skeleton holding a wrench. Good luck Ray.

[@JTUSA365]

Ray my morning ritual after i get done with work i catch up watch your videos you totally got me on air bag lol i was like oh **** rays down! Thank you for laugh.

[@davealexander1201]

As during this repair last time its called a spider coupling, very common in industrial maintenance.

[@vc8939]

Once again Ray, only a short Dave sighting. Great job on finding the issue, I may have e the same issue with my Acura suv. Thanks again for the videos. Click! Also, where are the doodlie doos?

[@dennislaur2515]

When you first got in and tried turning the wheel, I was wondering if it was going to be something similar to the two Hyundai's you have done. Loved the airbag fake. Thanks Lauren for bringing back the "doodlie doos".

[@charliefox7206]

Nice work Ray 🦊

[@mattbrown5511]

Thank you for brightening my day. All the shenanigans you include in the videos are priceless. Be well Ray, and family/shop units.

[@joskd8491]

the Prius has a vacuumpump to create vacuum for the brakebooster when the engine is not running but your driving and braking. In a normal petrol engine the engine always creates vacuum from the intakemanifold

[@davelagatt2111]

You are amazing figuring things out

[@greenriver520]

Watching from Australia. Awesome work, as always, Ray. Thank you.

[@jsh6952]

@RainmanRaysRepairs The TimeClock plays Für Elise. That song has also been used as a cellphone ring tone for decades. Also a huge shout out to your local Toyota dealership parts department.

[@basstracks2427]

I'm surprised that you didn't have to stick your arm out of the window to turn it. Ah. Prius jokes. Gotta love em.😂😂😂😂

[@rhkips]

Priuses are put together with smoosh technology! The steering noise is the result of crunchy bubbles growing around the rotational electrons. The brake noise is just the potato getting hungry. Sprinkle some water under the floorboard carpet, and make sure the potato is properly sealed off from light. PROTIP: You can only see the potato if you're not paying attention. :)

[@davidmoore8103]

I was watching you do some bearings on a camshaft in a mercury sable, did you notice in the video you only tightened the oil pickup nut by hand

[@madmax0814]

Good job Ray. That Hyundai paid out in the end by saving you time 🤷‍♂️👍

[@fleece192]

For all you Quad owners. My Grizzly has the same power assist. Love the power steering

[@DC-bm7oz]

I have to say Ray when this video started I thought this needs to go to a Toyota Specialist. Much respect to you man.

[@Papieck37]

Didn't know Toyota had those star shaped thingies.... Outstanding!!

[@WILLIAMPRUSAK-uh5mf]

EXCELLENT FIND RAY! You're Amazing!

[@christopherhodge6154]

Good repair. My advice is take more care with the steering column bolts. They're super easy to break and remain. Doesn't need that much torque. Just FYI

[@GlennLaycock]

That is a HUGE Toyota dealer. Wow Florida so nice - still snow here with it still below zero at nights - but hope that it is gone by next week.

[@TomM-iw3te]

Ray, to save your back keep a memory foam standard pillow in your shop to bridge your back across the running board’ area where you lay down to fix under the dashboard repairs.

[@stompjumper2007]

good job Ray. you rock.

[@wilcleno1866]

Another job well done by "Team Ray".

[@gregwentz4537]

ray in drives used in running machines and water pumps to help aline motors and driven units that part is called a spider. hope that helps . from old machanic

[@johnmarino4085]

Nicely done Ray!

[@johngoslin3001]

That sound is Chip and Dale on a treadmill trying to get that old motor going

[@WhiskeyDale]

I forgot all about tTHE PHONE over at the last shop. ahhhhh memories

[@ena6631]

Great job Ray. I remember the other and similar vehicle issue. Well done.

[@juancarreras1714]

Good job Ray, stay healthy!

[@scottslattery5590]

Great video ray!!! Maybe hyundai n toyota got together n decided that little plastic cog was a great idea but nope. Not great! Lol😅