Stealership wants to replace rack & pinion - 2003 LE w/ 55K - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

bcnland · 10-05-2005, 01:42 PM

Hello folks!! This past weekend I finally took physical possession of a 2003 LE with 55K miles that I purchased from a private owner. I think I got a good deal ($10.5K).

Anyway, when making turns I noticed a knocking sound which appears to come from the steering wheel. It is not a clicking sound (joints); more like what you hear when your struts are bad.

I took it to Toyota service and they claim that the sound is coming from the rack and pinion assembly, which needs to be replaced for $1,600!!! As you can imagine, I was thrilled to hear this news.

My cry for help:

(1) It just does not seem normal to have this problem on a 2003 LE with 55K. The are no leaks from the steering, so I wonder if this is just the stealership trying to make some money. Comments??

(2) Is the rack and pinion assembly part of the drive train?? This vehicle is under warranty until 60K miles, but they told me that this problem would not be covered. Has anybody had this replaced under warranty (>30K miles)?

Thanks in advance for a much needed help.

marcusverkler · 10-05-2005, 07:25 PM

I had mine replaced under warrently because of that!

89molavi · 10-05-2005, 07:31 PM

Have had two friends with the same problems on the '03 & '04, both changed under warranty after a little arguement with the dealer. Check the internet see if someone has filed something against Toyota for this screwup.

TRDCamryCL · 10-05-2005, 08:32 PM

Hey, we are not all thiefs, I work at a dealership where CSI scores are way higher than the gross. Best Mazda CSI scores in MA.

bcnland · 10-05-2005, 10:39 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will call Toyota directly and see if they'd allow the replacement under drivetrain warranty. The least I can do is try...so we'll see.

Can anybody confirm that the rack & pinion in their vehicles was replaced under drivetrain warranty?? If there are a few cases of this being covered, then I have better chances of makeing a good case with Toyota.

Thanks again...

ToyotaGuy50 · 10-06-2005, 01:21 AM

Rack & Pinion is not part of the drivetrain and Toyota will not cover this under the powertrain warranty! The power train consisits of precisley that, engine to trans to diff to axles to last, wheel bearings and hubs only if it is caused by a problem further up the powertrain.

The only exception to this was the old J02 campaign on the gen 1 camrys which also covered
the steering shaft for a brake pulsation problem.

However do try it beacuse if it's a known problem and there is a run on rack & pinions for these vehicles fo this complaint then Toyota may cover something under goodwill.

FYI-I managed a Toyota Distributor (and dealer) service department for 12 years.

Dylansdad · 10-07-2005, 04:36 PM

How many people out there have had a rack replaced in the 5th gen Camry? Could you also give me some details of what your car was/is doing that indicates that the rack is going bad and needs to be replaced? I took mine in while it was under the 3/36 warranty b/c of some strange feelings going on with the front end while turning etc. they did not find anything (imagine that) and it is still doing the same thing and occasionally when I am turning at a slow speed it will momentarily feel like the power assist isn't working.......it is no longer under anything but the 60k drivetrain warranty......

Dylansdad · 10-08-2005, 06:08 AM

Surely there are some people out here who can give some indicators of what was going on when their rack had to be replaced !!

ttt

89molavi · 10-08-2005, 09:37 AM

My friend's was making a clink noticable in the brake pedal when you rotated the steering and holding the brake down lightly. We were first told this is normal. We calmly suggested that we try the new cars parked on the lot and see if they all have the same clunk!! That was when the mechanic "noticed" what we are talking about. He still had to pay for alignment I think.
If you have raised this issue once when under warrany and nobody gave a S***, and if you have some sort of documentation of that then you might have a case and ask them to at least partially cover. Talking to the district manager could help. Try to be calm and explain why you bought a Toyota and not a Yogo.