clicking in steering wheel

[zeppman]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm waiting for Sebas to email the TSB (not really sure what that is), so we'll see. Since this seems to be a known issue, and my warranty is up at the end of this month, i've decided to make an appt. to take my car in to the dealer.

On a side note, last time i was there they told me I needed my transm. fluid changed. Is this common? I have just over 30k miles on it...

[Sebas007]

Sebas, could you please allow me to read the TSBs regarding steering issue?

I cannot post PDF here I think, I don't know where to host those file.
PM me your e-mail address

Good to know about Bourdais...by the way he was 4th on first race of the year in F1 in Australia last sunday...but his engine blown

[Jakecallun20]

Zepp, not sure if your up on all the forum talk, but PM means Private message and you can send him your email address by clicking on the message link in the upper right next to log out.

(Just trying to help, not be a smart ass)

[zeppman]

Well my car is at the dealer this morning. It seems that I have the same problem that was in the TSB. Thanks to all of you who helped! I'll post later when I find out what they did or if they fixed it.

[DGPZ]

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.
Intermediate Shaft
Steering Column
􀀀
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.

OP CODE DESCRIPTION MODEL TIME OFP T1 T2
Camry 0.9 45220–33200
ST4007 R & R Steering
Intermediate Shaft
Solara 0.9 45220–33240 91 19
Highlander 0.9 45220–48130
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.
STEERING
Introduction
Applicable
Vehicles
Warranty
Information
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE
– ST001-06 Revised February 16, 2006

Page 2 of 5
MODEL PLANT ENGINE PRODUCTION CHANGE EFFECTIVE VIN
4-cyl JTDBE3#K#53040321
Tsutsumi
V6
JTDBF3#K#50167507
JTDBA3#K#50026148
4 cyl
4T1BE3*K#6U149463
Camry
4-y 4T1BE3*K#6U718586
TMMK
4T1BF3*K#6U118180
V6
4T1BA3*K#6U510905
4T1BF3*K#6U632175
4T1BA3*K#6U093077
JTEDD21A#50131436
4 cyl
JTEGD21A#50131439
4-JTEED21A#50039951
Highlander TMK
JTEHD21A#50039951
JTEDP21A#50090114
V6
JTEGP21A#50090107
JTEEP21A#50134778
JTEHP21A#50134927
Solara TMMK
4-cyl 4T1CE3*P#6U718267
V6 4T1*A3*P#6U093577
PREVIOUS PART NUMBER CURRENT PART NUMBER MODEL PART NAME QTY
45220–33200
45220 33260
Camry 1
45220–33240
45220–Solara Intermediate Shaft
Assembly
1
45220–48130 45220–48150 Highlander
1
NOTE:
The intermediate shaft assembly identified in this TSB for Camry models can be used
on both Japan and NAP built vehicles.
Production
Change
Information
Parts
Information
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE
– ST001-06 Revised February 16, 2006

Page 3 of 5
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.
Repair
Procedure
Bolt
Matchmarks
Matchmarks
Steering Main Shaft
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE
– ST001-06 Revised February 16, 2006

Page 4 of 5
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 matchmarks to the
same locations on the NEW steering intermediate shaft.
Original Steering
Intermediate Shaft
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)
Repair
Procedure

(Continued)
Matchmarks
Steering Main Shaft
Matchmarks
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE
– ST001-06 Revised February 16, 2006

Page 5 of 5
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.

[boaclub923]

hum... speaking of which,
i just realized, i hear clicking sound when turning after i did TRD drop with sport tuned suspension.
is it normal?
or it's another TSB stuff?

and btw, would TSB still cover by factory even if my warranty has expired?

[Sebas007]

hum... speaking of which,
i just realized, i hear clicking sound when turning after i did TRD drop with sport tuned suspension.
is it normal?
or it's another TSB stuff?

and btw, would TSB still cover by factory even if my warranty has expired?

This is how your spring sit...I have the same "problem" It does it only when you make a 90+ degrees turn isn't it ?

[boaclub923]

well.. actually it makes that clicking sound everytime i turn my steering wheel about 180 degree, rather than actual 90 degree turn.
the clicking is at the worse when turning at no speed,
slightly better around 10~25mph
completely gone above 25mph
(or maybe it's still there, it just i cant' hear it anymore)

[HID04V6]

Zeppman...pm me your e-mail address and I will send you 2 PDF files.
ST001-06 STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE
ST001-06 STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE (REVISED)

Thats EXACTLY what the problem is. When I had my 04, it clicked really bad. Toyota replaced the Intermediate shaft and a bunch of other parts they destroyed in the process (vsc sensors, trac sensors) and it worked perfectly. It is a long repair process though- they have to take a good portion of the car apart, so plan on it taking an entire day.

[boaclub923]

Zeppman...pm me your e-mail address and I will send you 2 PDF files.
ST001-06 STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE
ST001-06 STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE (REVISED)

Thats EXACTLY what the problem is. When I had my 04, it clicked really bad. Toyota replaced the Intermediate shaft and a bunch of other parts they destroyed in the process (vsc sensors, trac sensors) and it worked perfectly. It is a long repair process though- they have to take a good portion of the car apart, so plan on it taking an entire day.

um... are you talking about the clicking problem without lowering the car?
or u talking about my problem, the click with TRD lower?

god... if i really have to go back to dealer, i hope it's under warranty
(my car is 70k now)

[harp00n]

....

OP CODE DESCRIPTION MODEL TIME OFP T1 T2
Camry 0.9 45220–33200
ST4007 R & R Steering
Intermediate Shaft
Solara 0.9 45220–33240 91 19
Highlander 0.9 45220–48130

.......

PREVIOUS PART NUMBER CURRENT PART NUMBER MODEL PART NAME QTY
45220–33200
45220 33260
Camry 1
45220–33240
45220–Solara Intermediate Shaft
Assembly
1
45220–48130 45220–48150 Highlander
1

....

I live in Ukraine, so there's no warranty at all here. I need to order this part and local mechanical guys would install it, so can you tell me the NEW PART NUMBER of this shaft for Solara? 45220-33240 seems
to be the old one, isn't it?

[harp00n]

OK, stealership charged me 180$ for this part: 45220-33270. It seems to be the new part, doesn't it?

[gnegroni]

OK, stealership charged me 180$ for this part: 45220-33270. It seems to be the new part, doesn't it?

That is the latest part no. PM Reggie (NVDIS1) if you have any doubts, but webpage such as Toyota PartsCheap gives you a hint saying PN is outdated (TSB calls for -33260). $180 for the part seems to be fair...see pics (it seems like a very robust piece of hardware).

Thats EXACTLY what the problem is. When I had my 04, it clicked really bad. Toyota replaced the Intermediate shaft and a bunch of other parts they destroyed in the process (vsc sensors, trac sensors) and it worked perfectly. It is a long repair process though- they have to take a good portion of the car apart, so plan on it taking an entire day.

I don't know if this is post I was to reply to, but I OBJECT! My mechanic took less than 1 hour to replace part; that means it includes time to look at the new part, read instructions, look into car, remove air filter box for hood clearance (1 nut to loosen) and fix the car from the driver side floor. BTW, whoever broke the vsc, trac is a numbnutz!

Quick story with pics:

Here is the problem causing component:


Disconnect battery always as a precaution:


Remove stock air box for clearance in engine bay (remove filter, and remove 3-5 bolts):


Clean, spacey looking area just to remove 1 bolt (disconnect the sensors from intake and please, cover intake - unlike me).


Mechanic doing his thing:


Please note, when reinstalling the new part, you might wanna have another person to hold the steering wheel or have a steering alignment tool to hold it still. If not, the steering wheel could fall a little out of place even with the markings as per TSB.

End result:

45220–33240 Steering Shaft (local dealer wanted $300 - Thanks again Reggie)........................................................................$180
Labor charge from your trustworthy mechanic (dealer wanted $180)..........................................................................................$40
The satisfaction of having a "quoted" dealer job of 3.5 labor hours done in-house in 1 hour for 1/4 the dealer quoted cost..... PRICELESS!

[PXLpainter]

hum... speaking of which,
i just realized, i hear clicking sound when turning after i did TRD drop with sport tuned suspension.
is it normal?
or it's another TSB stuff?

and btw, would TSB still cover by factory even if my warranty has expired?

I have it with TRD springs as well. Doesn't do it all the time, but quite often.

[gnegroni]

hum... speaking of which,
i just realized, i hear clicking sound when turning after i did TRD drop with sport tuned suspension.
is it normal?
or it's another TSB stuff?

and btw, would TSB still cover by factory even if my warranty has expired?

I have it with TRD springs as well. Doesn't do it all the time, but quite often.

I have to call Toyota USA after Solarizona's comment on Acura's TSB effectivity. Still, if it becomes worse, you know it can be replaced cheaply outside dealership. BTW Jeff, don't we have a Toyota Service Advisor here in Solaraguy.com to discuss if Toyota does not charge for TSBs like Acura does, even IF outside warranty?