This power steering damper seems to be a common thing that need to be replaced when the steering starts to make noises. However, I cannot find any video or guide on this for Gen 3 Prii. Anyone have a guide or video on how to get this replaced? Thanks!
When I search that part number on parts.toyota.com and then click What This Fits, I only see Gen 4 Prii listed, not Gen 3.
Very strange indeed. I have seen in my Prius community in Malaysia and Thailand, this is a frequent issue that causes steering to have knocking sound. There are lots of users who also said they have changed theirs and workshops have done the work. Didn't occur to me that it is listed not a Prius gen3 part. Need to dig deeper.
Bisco. Did you ever installed the part? My 2015 is driving me crazy with that rattling. Please report on results.
Just sorted my steering column rattle today. Had to get in there and tighten a couple of 12mm bolts under the steering wheel / pedals. Read up on this thread for details.
My 2013 has the dreaded steering column rattle , have replaced the intermediate shaft one of the universal joints was failing. Can't find a part number for the damper for the Gen 3, hopefully resurrecting this thread and someone has found the information
Found the part on AliExpress for $10AU delivered. Search for Damper Electric Power Steering Motor Shaft 45254-28040 For Toyota Corolla Prius Lexus Currently on special for $4 (Note - I have no affiliation with AliExpress).
Good evening. I, too, have steering rattle on Gen 3, 2015 Persona 185,000 miles Replaced intermediate shaft with Toyota OEM, and this fixed a very slight knocking sound when stationary and moving steering wheel back and forth between, say, 11-12 o’clock. Inspection of the old shaft upon removal did not show u joint degradation, and the sliding collar for telescopic function was not visibly worn. The new shaft did tighten up the steering a little, the ever so slight knocking sound went away (which was so slight my wife never heard it, and she hears EVERYTHING), and it seemed the uneven road surface pebbly, under dash noise diminished as well, which is what stated the saga. Now the under dash sound is back, even worse than before. Double checked bolt tightness to splines on intermediate shaft and both tight. Watched a couple Youtube videos on replacing the plastic coupler in the power steering motor, and though it looked like a somewhat painful process I was all set to do anything to rid this poor car of its embarrassment in the cabin. Called a buddy of mine at the local Toyota parts counter, gave him my VIN, and there isn’t one listed for this car. Darn. So today, for probably the fourth time I am beneath the car wiggling, pulling, inspecting every danged front end suspension part because it has to be something there even though my ears, though old, tell me the noise from rough pavement is in the dash. Again, though, even with help, loading the wheels with a spud bar, simulating ride height, turning front wheels lock to lock by gripping the tires, etc there are no worn component(s). Not a ball joint, sway bar link, CV joint, strut, rack end, or anything else. Big shocker for the fourth time, right? So I also read about a bearing inside the steering column that can allegedly get noisy. That made sense, but when I’m on the perfect road surface for an extended time to exacerbate the noise, no amount of pulling the steering wheel up, or down to load up a bearing inside there changes the noise even slightly, nor did telescoping and/or tilt angle. Not even a little. If y’all are still with me, and I hope you are, I know you feel my pain. This little reliable war wagon doesn’t deserve to sound like this, and my wife, who clearly hears this cacophony, is convinced the car is getting loose and past her prime. It’s not. Apparently they sell hundreds of these couplers for Camrys and Ravs, but at 68 years old I don’t have the same exploratory surgery chops that I did when younger, so I am really trying to find someone who has been in their Gen 3 dash, pulled the top cover of that power steering motor and indeed found the dreaded coupler in there. It isn’t like the Japanese built Toyotas to get their parts lists wrong, but man, it seems like that is the only plausible cause at this point. I know this was long, and I really do appreciate your patience. If I need to start a new thread I can do so, but this seemed the place to post for this particular problem. Help would be ever so greatly appreciated. Ed Fisher Ft Worth, Texas
If anybody who reads post #10 is wondering if he fixed his car, the answer is yes. Just click on this link, https://priuschat.com/index.php?posts/3539265
Thank you Brian, that was very helpful. I posted the fix as a new thread in hopes of helping the greatest number of people. Hopefully, the original poster on this thread can find the video he was looking for with your help in leading him to my post. Again, thank you. Ed Fisher Ft Worth, Tx
We have a 2013 Prius which had an annoying rumble and rattle on bumpy pavement, apparently emanating from the steering column just behind the dash. We visited a few websites, among them , and learned that the problem could be a damaged interface part between the power steering module and the steering shaft. The mechanic who presented in the above website was acting on the recommendation of a fellow mechanic and was initially skeptical, thinking it more likely that the problem lay in worn u-joints in the shaft segments. In fact, he found that it was indeed the power steering interface, where a small, $8 gear-like plastic part in the form of a three-layer sandwich (Toyota Part No. 45254-28040, called a "Steering Damper") which interfaces the power steering module to the steering shaft, had failed. Specifically, the middle layer of the sandwich had disintegrated, apparently rendering the part no longer useful as a "damper". We decided this was very likely the problem we were having with our 2013 Prius and that we should look for a professional mechanic to replace the steering damper. We live in rural upstate New York, some 50 miles distant from the nearest Toyota dealer, so we started by asking four local auto mechanics if they would be willing to do the work. They were polite, but they all firmly declined. Then we went to the dealer, who agreed to do a $86 "diagnostic" on the car, and subsequently recommended replacement of the entire steering shaft assembly for which their estimated charge would be $2,526. That convinced us replacement of the steering damper would have to be DIY project. The key to the job is gaining access to the power steering unit, a can-shaped thing perched on the steering shaft far back behind the dash. Getting to the can necessitates dropping the steering wheel and shaft assembly to the floor, which requires removal of some plastic dash panels and an air bag module in order to access the bolts which suspend the steering shaft. (Not wishing the air bag to accidentally blow up, we disconnected the 12-volt battery in the stern several hours before starting the work to make sure that any lingering capacitance discharge would be dissipated). Most of the plastic panel removal is of the pop-out type and we recommend plastic tools designed for the task. Two of the steering column shaft-support bolts are relatively easy 12mm. The third is a stinker, but it can be had. It is located pretty far behind the steering wheel, a long 14 mm bolt which runs horizontally through the center pivot bracket for the steering wheel height adjustment and which engages a captive plate nut on the opposite side of the bracket. Note that all of this work is done on your back in a pretty tight spot, and you will find it to be uncomfortable. Once you can get your hands on the power steering can you will find two 12mm bolts that connect it to the shaft. Open up the interface and there will be the prize, the plastic gear-like thing with disintegration-product green pieces scattered all around. You can pick out the gear, vacuum out the green carnage, pop in a new part, and rejoin the can to its neighbor. This seems too easy. Then refasten the steering column hangers and put the plastic dash covers back in place (be sure to reconnect all the electrical plugs you had to remove), which is not particularly difficult but is definitely tedious. Reconnect the battery, start her up and take a quiet test drive. Here's the steering wheel on the floor, with the can opened up. Here's the detritus from the old steering damper.
