Old Recall notice for Loose Nut! READ

[73sport]

I stumbled upon this. Funny thing is, at 230,xxx when I turn the steering wheel hard to the right there is an audible pop/click from the steering wheel. I thought it was the U-joint for the tilt column but may be popping the cover off to check the nut. If any of you are suspect, I'd suggest you inspect further!
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Suspension & Steering: STEERING:WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR

Campaign Number: 99V307000
Dates Manufactured: 07/1994 to 07/1998
Number of Vehicles Affected: 540,037
Model Years Affected: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
Date Owner Notified: 11/1999

Defect Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.
Consequence Summary: THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.

Recall Notes: TOYOTA RECALL NOS. X06 AND XL7.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 30, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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Edit:
LynchburgCSI
TN's Wiring/Gadget Junkie has the following DIY link on wheel removal and replacement. Read the CAUTION Stuff!
Thanks!

Steering Wheel/Airbag Removal DIY
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EDIT: 2010-07-28
Toyota Released a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2001-02-16, which covers the CAMRY from 1992 - 2000 whereby they listed the following speicification:

OLD TORQUE: 35 Nm (360 kgf cm, 26 ftlbf)
NEW TORQUE: 50 Nm (510 kgfcm, 37 ftlbf)

See page #278 of #356: http://www.camrystuff.com/manuals/Ge...neous/TSBs.pdf
Thank Jason for this one!

Notice is Applicapable to MANY service manuals for Toyota's!!
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TERCEL EL42, 53 1991 – 1998
ECHO NCP12 2000
PASEO EL44, 54 1992 – 1997
COROLLA AE10#, ZZE110 1993 – 2001
CELICA AT180, ST18#, AT2#,
ST2#, ZZT23#
1990 – 2000
MR2 SW2#, ZZW30 1991 – 1995; 2000
CAMRY SXV10, 20, MCV10, 20 1992 – 2000
CAMRY CNG SXV23 2000 – 2001
CAMRY SOLARA SXV20, MCV20 1999 – 2000
AVALON MCX10, 20 1995 – 2000
SUPRA JZA80 1993 1/2 – 1998
RAV4 SXA1# 1996 – 2000
RAV4 EV BEA11 1998 – 2000
PREVIA TRC10, 20 1991 – 1997
SIENNA MCL10 1998 – 2000
HIGHLANDER ACU20, 25, MCU20, 25 2001
4RUNNER RN12#, 13#, VZN12#, 13#,
18#, RZN180, 185
1990 – 2000
LAND CRUISER FZ80, FZJ80, UZJ100 1991 – 2000
TRUCK RN8#, 9#, 10#, 110,
VZN85, 9#, 10#, 110
1989 – 1995
TACOMA RZN140, 150, 161, 171,
19#, VZN150, 160, 170, 195
1995 1/2 – 2000
T100 VCK10, 20 1993 – 1998
TUNDRA VCK30, 40, UCK30, 40 2000
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[slpr1mz]

this happened to me at about 160k, but i have a 99. i had it tightened when i got brakes done, thay didn't charge labor since it was a family friend who owns the shop.

[73sport]

I've found two other posts (without even searching) on the loose steering wheel nut. Those of use past the 150,000 mile mark may want to check the loose nut behind the wheel!

Please Sticky this Thread in the Gen 3 archive!

[sc2dave]

So anyone who owns an affected car can just go to the dealership and have it tightened?

[fenixus]

so this is the one, some people were talking about. good idea with sticking it. a very important safety info.

interesting that it involves some of late gen3 and early gen4 models ... wondering if it applies to cars coming out of only 1 specific factory or that is a world wide problem ...

glad my '00 5s-fe is not affected, though i've got 2 bent rims and new tires on them

[LynchburgCSI]

But still, better safe than sorry.

[projektvertx]

I just want to add a point to this: Recalls, to my understanding, are done by VIN #'s. If your VIN # not covered, you don't get the free remedy. BUT, BUT, my dad's '97 RL had a recall on lower ball joints some time ago. He brought it in and was informed that his VIN wasn't on the recall list. About a month later, on a cold January night, he heard a creak coming from, surely enough, the LBJ. So just because your car isn't covered don't dismiss that it can't happen to you!

[73sport]

On 2010-07-16 I removed the steering wheel cover and tightened the steering wheel nut (1995 Gen 3.5). The barely audiable pop sound is no longer present when inducing abrupt steering input.

Conclusion, the nut was loose! I've been hearing it make this noise for about 3 months but only during abrupt steering wheel input.

To the best of my knoledge, there is no evidence anyone has ever crshed this car or removed the steering wheel.

[projektvertx]

^ I'm gonna check mine this week-end then. Just in case.

[LynchburgCSI]

Originally Posted by projektvertx

^ I'm gonna check mine this week-end then. Just in case.

Steering Wheel/Airbag Removal DIY, Post #2.

edit: FIXED.

[projektvertx]

^ The link doesn't seem to be working? (Thanks thought)

EDIT: Maybe 73sport can edit that link into the original post?

[73sport]

She be Linked!

Thanks guys. . . .

[LynchburgCSI]

Heads up... other (piddly) recall notices for the gen 3 guys. This is for a 96 DX 5s-fe Coupe. You may want to check your particular year/trim.

http://www.edmunds.com/maintenance/r...Id=4014&zip=#1

[73sport]

From above 2010-07-28
Toyota Released a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2001-02-16, which covers the CAMRY from 1992 - 2000 whereby they listed the following specification:

OLD TORQUE: 35 Nm (360 kgf cm, 26 ftlbf)
NEW TORQUE: 50 Nm (510 kgfcm, 37 ftlbf)

See page #278 of #356: http://www.camrystuff.com/manuals/Ge...neous/TSBs.pdf
Thank Jason for this one!

Notice is Applicapable to MANY service manuals for Toyota's!!
================================================== =============
TERCEL EL42, 53 1991 – 1998
ECHO NCP12 2000
PASEO EL44, 54 1992 – 1997
COROLLA AE10#, ZZE110 1993 – 2001
CELICA AT180, ST18#, AT2#,
ST2#, ZZT23#
1990 – 2000
MR2 SW2#, ZZW30 1991 – 1995; 2000
CAMRY SXV10, 20, MCV10, 20 1992 – 2000
CAMRY CNG SXV23 2000 – 2001
CAMRY SOLARA SXV20, MCV20 1999 – 2000
AVALON MCX10, 20 1995 – 2000
SUPRA JZA80 1993 1/2 – 1998
RAV4 SXA1# 1996 – 2000
RAV4 EV BEA11 1998 – 2000
PREVIA TRC10, 20 1991 – 1997
SIENNA MCL10 1998 – 2000
HIGHLANDER ACU20, 25, MCU20, 25 2001
4RUNNER RN12#, 13#, VZN12#, 13#,
18#, RZN180, 185
1990 – 2000
LAND CRUISER FZ80, FZJ80, UZJ100 1991 – 2000
TRUCK RN8#, 9#, 10#, 110,
VZN85, 9#, 10#, 110
1989 – 1995
TACOMA RZN140, 150, 161, 171,
19#, VZN150, 160, 170, 195
1995 1/2 – 2000
T100 VCK10, 20 1993 – 1998
TUNDRA VCK30, 40, UCK30, 40 2000
================================================== =============

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by 73sport

From above 2010-07-28
Toyota Released a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2001-02-16, which covers the CAMRY from 1992 - 2000 whereby they listed the following speicification:

OLD TORQUE: 35 Nm (360 kgf cm, 26 ftlbf)
NEW TORQUE: 50 Nm (510 kgfcm, 37 ftlbf)

See page #278 of #356: http://www.camrystuff.com/manuals/Ge...neous/TSBs.pdf
Thank Jason for this one!

Notice is Applicapable to MANY Toyota's!!
================================================== =============
TERCEL EL42, 53 1991 – 1998
ECHO NCP12 2000
PASEO EL44, 54 1992 – 1997
COROLLA AE10#, ZZE110 1993 – 2001
CELICA AT180, ST18#, AT2#,
ST2#, ZZT23#
1990 – 2000
MR2 SW2#, ZZW30 1991 – 1995; 2000
CAMRY SXV10, 20, MCV10, 20 1992 – 2000
CAMRY CNG SXV23 2000 – 2001
CAMRY SOLARA SXV20, MCV20 1999 – 2000
AVALON MCX10, 20 1995 – 2000
SUPRA JZA80 1993 1/2 – 1998
RAV4 SXA1# 1996 – 2000
RAV4 EV BEA11 1998 – 2000
PREVIA TRC10, 20 1991 – 1997
SIENNA MCL10 1998 – 2000
HIGHLANDER ACU20, 25, MCU20, 25 2001
4RUNNER RN12#, 13#, VZN12#, 13#,
18#, RZN180, 185
1990 – 2000
LAND CRUISER FZ80, FZJ80, UZJ100 1991 – 2000
TRUCK RN8#, 9#, 10#, 110,
VZN85, 9#, 10#, 110
1989 – 1995
TACOMA RZN140, 150, 161, 171,
19#, VZN150, 160, 170, 195
1995 1/2 – 2000
T100 VCK10, 20 1993 – 1998
TUNDRA VCK30, 40, UCK30, 40 2000
================================================== =============

per above TSB.

i think this TSB covers only a change of torque in FSM (in case dealers were making repairs), but it doesn't mean that all Toyota cars since 92-00 have loose steering wheels

I believe I read somewhere that factory was torquing steering wheels properly, however the printed repair manuals had too low torque specified.