Hi everyone
I am new to this forum. I have an 04 highlander 4wd with the 4 cyl engine. We have owned it since new. It was my wife's car but now I am driving it full time. I noticed that there is a pop or clunk in the steering wheel when turning. I also notice some slight vibration in the steering wheel. After doing some searching apparently this could be caused by a faulty intermediate shaft. I also found a toyota tsb online describing this. Sounds like a pretty costly dealer fix. Has anyone had this problem and fixed it yourself? Seems pretty straight forward on the tsb. Does anyone know what specifically is faulty on the shaft?
All you have to do is grease the shaft, and repeat every few years.
The other option is to replace the shaft, and eventually you'll be re-greasing it too.
If vibration doesn't go away, you'll have to check the wheels/tires for runout and balance.
All you have to do is grease the shaft, and repeat every few years.
The other option is to replace the shaft, and eventually you'll be re-greasing it too.
If vibration doesn't go away, you'll have to check the wheels/tires for runout and balance.
Hey thanks for the response. I actually found a later tsb describing exactly what you suggested. Do I need the special syringe kit that toyota sells?
No, any grease gun with a syringe tip can be used. I do recommend a grease with high amounts of moly, graphic, or teflon. Regular wheel bearing or u-joint grease may have NONE. Read the label of any grease that you use.
my Old 04 Sienna had that "noise" and now my 05 Avalon also has it but very little so I didn't do anything to fix it. Let us know how it works
Our 2004 Highlander has not had this issue but our 2005 Camry has. Greasing the ISS works but I had to repeat the process on the Camry after about 2 years. I used Liquid Wrench white lithium grease spray.
All you have to do is grease the shaft, and repeat every few years.
The other option is to replace the shaft, and eventually you'll be re-greasing it too.
If vibration doesn't go away, you'll have to check the wheels/tires for runout and balance.
That's not correft. I had the dealer grease it and my problem still persists.
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2008 Toyota Rav4 Sport - Flint Mica
2005 Toyota Highlander V6 - Bluestone Metallic
If its under warranty, you call the 1800 line in your owners manual.
If its not under warranty, you order a new shaft from an online OE parts seller, or from here, and you have your own local garage mechanic fix it.
Since the thread title is 'intermediate shaft', which is a commonly known Toyota issue on any FWD/AWD platform, don't automatically assume that your knock/clunk is from it. Bad tierods, rack bushings, strut/wheel bearings, balljoints, can all create a knock/thud/clunk that can travel to the steering wheel.
Any suspension/alignment tech should be able to track down non-shaft issues.
If its under warranty, you call the 1800 line in your owners manual.
If its not under warranty, you order a new shaft from an online OE parts seller, or from here, and you have your own local garage mechanic fix it.
Since the thread title is 'intermediate shaft', which is a commonly known Toyota issue on any FWD/AWD platform, don't automatically assume that your knock/clunk is from it. Bad tierods, rack bushings, strut/wheel bearings, balljoints, can all create a knock/thud/clunk that can travel to the steering wheel.
Any suspension/alignment tech should be able to track down non-shaft issues.
My issue is more of a loose steering wheel and off balance steering wheel.
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__________________
2008 Toyota Rav4 Sport - Flint Mica
2005 Toyota Highlander V6 - Bluestone Metallic
Our 2004 Highlander has not had this issue but our 2005 Camry has. Greasing the ISS works but I had to repeat the process on the Camry after about 2 years. I used Liquid Wrench white lithium grease spray.
Thanks for the response! Can you grease the shaft without fully removing it? Can you just disconnect it from the main steering shaft under the dash?
Went to the dealer today. A master mechanic tested it out with me on the road. He brought it back, inspected everything and performed an alignment because it was out of specs. He also straightened out the steering wheel. They just couldn't get the back left wheel aligned. I might have hit a big pothole. At first they thought the tie rod would have to be replaced, but its fine. The back left wheel is still -18.
All is well....
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__________________
2008 Toyota Rav4 Sport - Flint Mica
2005 Toyota Highlander V6 - Bluestone Metallic
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