Please help - Is it really my turn ($$$$lapped)?

[gnegroni]

They are not allowed to charge for TSB's. At least that's what I was told when I had some work done on an old Acura. The car was about 6 years old with 120K miles and the service manager said no car dealer is allowed to charge for TSB's regardless of age or mileage.

Does this apply to Toyota also?

CAll the toyota USA

Believe me, I am going to place a call after Solarizona's post, but since its Acura, I doubt Toyota would hold true to this. Any Service Advisors here in Solaraguy care to comment?

Has anybody in here have to replace the steering shaft out of warranty? If so, how much have they charged?

The TSB ST001-06 calls for time 0.9 unknown, but when I went to the dealer, they not only told me they were going to charge me for 2 labor hours, but that was AFTER THEY DEDUCTED the $60 for estimate.

I have a strange feeling in my steering wheel also. It's not an audible pop, per say, but it feels like something is slightly loose and clunks (very lightly) when I change direction at parking lot speeds. Does this sound similar to your problem? I've been nervous that it was just the start of a larger problem .

Please, please, please keep us updated on the progress of your repairs. I was pretty sure TSBs state that they are only covered for 36K miles (unless emissions related) but even if they covered the labor......
God, let it be so. I still have the sunroof noise on a 2004 w/62K miles.
Don't even get me started on the rear strut noise!

Please see the picture post I placed here:
http://www.solaraguy.com/viewtopic.php?p=461468#461468

In brief, it can be easily repaired in under 1 hour (including testing vehicle) by a single person (two if you can't fix steering wheel).

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!