I just had my 45,000 mile check up and notice that my steering wheel seems tighter. There is no play at all. I can turn it to one side a little, and it will continue to gentle turn, as if it is too tight and won't return to neutral position. It is more of a problem on highways in gusty winds, as it is harder to quickly steer L or R to compensate for winds. One other variable, last month I upgraded to Goodyear ComforTreds - 195/60/15, which are great. Not sure if this is an issue. I went back to the dealer, and he said that the steering is computerized and there is no way they would have changed anything. But I should mention it at the 50,000 mi. check up. I'm wondering if I am over reacting? I certainly can live with it, but I don't remember that it was as stiff before. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Was the steering recall performed on your car? Make: TOYOTA Model: PRIUSModel Year: 2005Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.Mfr's Report Date: MAY 30, 2006NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 06V188000 N/A NHTSA Action Number: N/A Component: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
firepa63, Yes. I had that one, and the "stalling" recall performed at the next scheduled check up. Only other non-standard item was, they replaced the "Coolant Recovery Tank" pump. It was making a loud squealing noise, and they said it wasn't pumping.
Have you checked tire inflation to make sure that no tire is underinflated? Would you characterize steering effort as "heavy", where it takes more effort to turn the wheel than before? If the steering wheel is turned so that the front wheels point straight ahead, will the car track in a straight line or does it tend to veer to one side?
Hi Gkalkas, Did you have your tires rotated? If so, this is the effect of the different tires, with different wear patterns at different locations, now. In a few weeks it should diminish. As spring is getting near, you may want to opt for a stiffening plate for the gusty wind on the highway issues. Especially with the extra cantilever load of the PHEV pack.
Hi Patrick, Checked inflation, after the 45,000 inspection. It was pretty close to standard. I then increased pressure to 37 / 35. Just tried what you said re heavy. And yes, I would say it is heavy and takes more effort to turn. Going very slow, wheel turned almost all the way, will stay turned when i let go. It's almost like it's in a slot wherever it is, and takes a little extra effort to get it moving. Thus battling cross winds, I'm always just behind the curve. As I try to correct, I have to get the wheel moving out of it's slot. Then, because of the extra effort, I over correct, and steer too far into the wind. And yes, it tracks in a straight line if I point it that way. Again, it takes a little effort to turn it. I know this sounds like minutia. I can live with it, but just not sure if that's normal. Thanks.
Hi donee, Toyota mounted and did a front and rear alignment at the time. Since then, I've put about 1000 miles on them. Always stayed below 55 for first 500 miles. Wondering, will a stiffing plate cause a stiffer ride? What does it do? Could my steering issue be due to the extra load in the back? Thanks
Donee, Check that. I noticed the problem in the drive going up to Minneapolis for the install. So that's not it. George
I do not think that the BT plate will do anything for your particular problem. Following is the spec for steering effort: (g) Turn the steering wheel 90 degrees to the right and check steering effort (torque) while turning. Check in the opposite direction using the same manner.Steering effort (Reference):5.5 N·m (56 kgf·cm, 49 in.·lbf) For the symptom of "poor return" the repair manual suggests the following causes: 1. Front tires (improperly inflated, unevenly worn) 2. Front wheel alignment (Incorrect) 3. Steering column assy 4. Steering gear assy5. Power steering ECU
I think the OP is getting weaker. Have you noticed any left side neglect, or problems concentrating? Maybe you should hit the gym more often. Tom
Well, would it be cheaper to fix the steering torque, or join a health club? PLEASE say "fix the steering torque"! George
Hi gkalkas, All I can say is that for gusty winter and springtime Chicagoland winds, a stiffening plate helps allot. If you want less dead zone on the steering, pumping the tires up somewhat might help too. Try the max sidewall rating for the front tires, and -2 PSI from that for the rears for an experiment. The stiffening plate will result in the suspension doing more of the flexing - as the car is intended. It will feel crisper, and you wont feel a back end shimmy with a slow period for a long time when the car side loading changes rapidly (wind gusts, left turns over cambered roads, crossing rail-road tracks that are angled to the road). The shimmy is still there, but its period is about 1/10th what it was, and it decays away within a fraction of a second, versus the 3 or 4 seconds without the plate. With the extra load in the back, the period may be even longer. You also need to check your aligment numbers. You want to see a slightly positive front toe-in. The Prius spec allows a slightly negative front toe-in. Toe-in is as it sounds, the angle of the static tires toward each other. As if the car was pigeon toed. The reason the car is setup this way is the play in the bearings. As the car runs down the road, the bearing play allows the wheel toe-in to go more negative. So, if its a little positive when static, toe-in wont become negative, and the tires will be closely alligned with the direction of travel. Going negative will tend to result in a feedback of forces on the tire that will cause the car to want to move sideways. When the tires are straight or with a little toe-in, the feedback due to the forces on the tire tends to keep the car running in the same direction.
donee, Appreciate the info. Will talk to dealer re alignment numbers. I'm still not sure about installing a stiffening plate. I'll see how it goes after dealer adjustments. Thanks, George
