"pop" in steering wheel...2008 base highlander - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

lets456 · 09-28-2010, 12:26 PM

Ok, I came across this TSB for the 2007 Highlanders does this also apply to the 2008? I have the SAME exact symptoms... do i need to pay $300 to fix it or is it just an annoyance? I don't have the money right now:

Steering - Clunk/Pop/Knock When Turning Steering WheelSTEERING
ST001-06
Title:
STEERING INTERMEDIATE
SHAFT NOISE
Models:
'03 - '06 Camry, '04 - '05 Highlander, & '04 - '06 Solara,
February 16, 2006
TSB REVISION NOTICE :
^July 20, 2006: 2004 - 2005 model year Highlander vehicles have been added to Applicable Vehicles. Production change effective VINs for the Highlander have been added to the Production Change Information table. The Parts Information has been updated to include the Highlander.
Previous versions of this TSB should be discarded.
Introduction

Some customers may hear a clunk, pop, or knock type noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. A new intermediate shaft has been developed to address this concern.
Applicable Vehicles
^2003 - 2006 model year Camry vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown in this TSB.
^2004 - 2005 model year Highlander vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown in this TSB.
^2004 - 2006 model year Solara vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown in this TSB.

Warranty Information
Applicable Warranty*:
This repair is covered under the Toyota Comprehensive Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.
*Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer's specific complaint.

Production Change Information

Parts Information
Repair Procedure
Prior to removing the steering intermediate shaft, make sure the steering wheel and front wheels remain stationary. Once the intermediate shaft is removed, do NOT allow the steering wheel to spin freely.
NOTE :Ensure the wheels are straight and the steering wheel is centered before removing the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly by installing a steering wheel holder.

1.Disconnect the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly.
A.Loosen the bolt and remove the clamp from the steering column hole cover boot.
B.Separate the steering column hole cover from the steering column hole cover boot.

C.Place matchmarks on the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly and steering gear assembly.
D.Remove the bolt and disconnect the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly.

2.Remove the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly.
A.Place matchmarks on the steering sliding yoke sub-assembly and steering main shaft assembly.
B.Remove the bolt and steering sliding yoke sub-assembly from the steering main shaft assembly.

3.Place the corresponding matchmarks on the NEW steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly.
To place the matchmarks on the NEW steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly, place a NEW steering intermediate shaft next to the original steering intermediate shaft assembly (removed in the previous step) and transfer those match marks to the same locations on the NEW steering intermediate shaft.

4.Install the NEW steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly.
A.Align the matchmark with the one on the steering sliding yoke sub-assembly and the steering main shaft assembly.
B.Install the steering sliding yoke sub-assembly with the bolt.
Torque: 35.3 N.m (360 kgf.cm, 26 ft.lbf)

5.Connect the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly.
A.Align the matchmarks on the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly and the steering gear assembly.
B.Install the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly with the bolt.
Torque: 35.3 N.m (360 kgf.cm, 26 ft.lbf)

C.Install the steering column hole cover to the steering hole cover boot.
D.Connect the clamp to the steering column hole cover boot and tighten the bolt.
6.Remove the steering wheel holder from the vehicle (if used).
7.Road test the vehicle to verify the repair and confirm that the steering wheel is centered. __________________
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deadrx7conv · 09-28-2010, 07:13 PM

Symptoms mean little. The root cause of the sound needs to be troubleshooted to the component that is causing the pop.

Also, I would hope that by 2008, that all Toyotas would be immune since this steering shaft issue has been known for 7+ years.

BTW, the shaft can be greased by a tech to eliminate the problem temporarily as an easy fix.

lets456 · 09-30-2010, 07:41 AM

Ok, I looked at the steering column and it is a new design. It simply consists of a U-Joint up near the steering wheel and a U-Joint attached to the Rack. There is NO steady bearing and only a stationary "lip" seal going from the engine compartment to the cabin. When that lip seal is removed (easily) you can see directly into the engine compartment. I have a feeling it is the bearing(?) where the steering wheel mounts and glides on... the U-Joints looks good visually so I lubed them up and it is a little better but there is still a "pop" or "clunk" at random times. Any suggestions?

deadrx7conv · 09-30-2010, 09:20 AM

Check your rack, tie rods, ball joints....

Make sure your lug nuts on the tires are torqued.

lets456 · 09-30-2010, 03:05 PM

Sound and "light clunk" is felt through the steering column

nov0798 · 09-30-2010, 07:30 PM

Yes the 2008s are covered. I had the same exact problem with mine, and everything was covered under warranty. It literally took them 10 minutes to do it, and its been quiet since. The issue is with the universal joints in the steering linkage between the wheel , and the part that goes through the firewall.

It has nothing to do with the following statement.

Check your rack, tie rods, ball joints....

Make sure your lug nuts on the tires are torqued.

lets456 · 10-04-2010, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nov0798

Yes the 2008s are covered. I had the same exact problem with mine, and everything was covered under warranty. It literally took them 10 minutes to do it, and its been quiet since. The issue is with the universal joints in the steering linkage between the wheel , and the part that goes through the firewall.

It has nothing to do with the following statement.

Check your rack, tie rods, ball joints....

Make sure your lug nuts on the tires are torqued.

What did they do? This weekend I injected grease into the intermediate shaft and the problem went away... I did this with a needle and did not take the shaft apart. Seems like the SAME problem they had in the 2004 thru 2007 Camry's! I also greased the U-Joints the week before and that did nothing... so it seems the intermediate shaft problem has not been resolved!

deadrx7conv · 10-04-2010, 12:31 PM

If injecting the grease fixed the issue, you could make a habit of it.

You need to check with the dealer to see if there is an upgraded part. Otherwise, you'll just spend money to replace a defective part with another soon-to-be-defective-again part.

If your vehicle is still under the bumper-bumper warranty, then the dealer should replace it for free since EVERYTHING is covered.

On my '04 Camry, the defective part was US sourced. The upgraded part was Japan sourced.

nov0798 · 10-04-2010, 03:34 PM

They replaced shaft!

lets456 · 10-05-2010, 08:04 AM

Highlander owners, if you hear or feel any sort of "pop" or "clunk" in the steering column I would suggest getting it fixed before your "bumper to bumper" warranty expires (like mine). It is a $550 repair that I believe should be a recall as the steering becomes "sloppy" over time.

lollonais · 08-15-2011, 12:03 PM

well shit. Mine just started doing this and I'm at 42k miles. I have a CPO, will this intermediate shaft be replaced or am I going to get shafted?

jasonjr23 · 09-13-2011, 09:01 AM

Can you guys describe this noise in a little more detail?
Is it multiple, very noticeable, "pops" while turning? Or is it just one pop? Does it happen every time, or is it occasional?
Recently, I will sometimes hear a single "pop" or "click" when I'm turning....so I'm wondering if I have this issue. It is not very loud at all though... for example, if the windows are down I might not even hear it. It does not happen every time I turn.
Also, I am unfortunately not within my warranty. Would there be serious safety concerns if I DO have this issue, and do nothing about it? (Basically just live with the noise.) Would it cause damage to other systems/parts?
Thanks!

deadrx7conv · 09-13-2011, 10:59 AM

It won't damage anything. And, it isn't a safety issue(yet). This is common with MANY Toyota FWD, and even with other makes. I have seen several higher mileage Toyotas that have been clunking for have almost decade and the splines didn't have excessive wear or damage.

The OE grease is a joke. Greasing the shaft with krytox, Moly-50, Honda Moly-60, SuperLube HT/EP, or a high quality waterproof grease(with a dose of either teflon, moly, WS2, hBN, or graphite) is another solution.

As you turn the wheel, the shaft length changes and the splines are popping(similiar to tire hop skidding), instead of sliding back and forth smoothly. It is akin to the driveshaft clunk on many rwd & 4x4's when the driveshaft slip joint greased is washed or squeezed out over time.

If you're under warranty, demand the fix because it is annoying.

If you're not under warranty, and have competent mechanical skills, feel free to load up the grease gun with a syringe to force inject grease, or remove the shaft and grease as needed.

The shaft is one component that needs a $.05 factory install grease fitting. Go Toyota quality!!!

GregC6 · 09-13-2011, 11:10 AM

my car still does after replacement of the shaft, waiting for the dealer to call me back if they have figured it out yet

jasonjr23 · 09-13-2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadrx7conv

It won't damage anything. And, it isn't a safety issue(yet). This is common with MANY Toyota FWD, and even with other makes. I have seen several higher mileage Toyotas that have been clunking for have almost decade and the splines didn't have excessive wear or damage.

The OE grease is a joke. Greasing the shaft with krytox, Moly-50, Honda Moly-60, SuperLube HT/EP, or a high quality waterproof grease(with a dose of either teflon, moly, WS2, hBN, or graphite) is another solution.

As you turn the wheel, the shaft length changes and the splines are popping(similiar to tire hop skidding), instead of sliding back and forth smoothly. It is akin to the driveshaft clunk on many rwd & 4x4's when the driveshaft slip joint greased is washed or squeezed out over time.

If you're under warranty, demand the fix because it is annoying.

If you're not under warranty, and have competent mechanical skills, feel free to load up the grease gun with a syringe to force inject grease, or remove the shaft and grease as needed.

The shaft is one component that needs a $.05 factory install grease fitting. Go Toyota quality!!!

Thanks. I'm still not positive if my noise is a result of this issue.... but I guess I'll just deal with it for now. Will the noise get worse over time? If it gets really noticeable/annoying, I might try the grease method.