2004 Solara V6 SE clicking in the steering column. Help

[dronek1975]

couple of weeks ago we have purchased for my wife 04 Solara V6 SE, car seemed to be in great shape, no scratches, dents or other imperfections i could find. Car has 58K on the odometer (It was a private lease)...however soon after, while driving i have noticed clicking kind of sound and slight feel from the steering column while making turns at slow speed both ways so i drove the car to a toyota dealership (originally car was purchased by us at Honda dealer) to have it looked at...well the tech that has checked the car by turning/pushing steering wheel left and right while idling didn't seem to be surprised and said about some part that is loose in the steering column and told me it would cost ~$450 to fix it(parts and labor) and it's not something that needs to be fixed right away unless it will get worse so i decided to keep it this way until spring, well just recently i have noticed another issue...every time i turn the steering wheel all the way either way turning forward or driving back there is jerk like coming from the wheels, lots on snow/ice here in IL so i thought it's wheels spinning on ice hidden under snow...nope it actually happens every single time i turn all the way like coming to a garage from the street. It's our first toyota car and well, by purchasing it we were sure that at this mileage should be as good as any other car brand new. It's like something is slipping there even passengers can feel that not just me holding steering wheel.
Any thoughts on that guys? to fix it do i really have to go to a dealer with it or it's something that reputable shop would be able to fix just like dealership but cheaper, knowing how much dealer charges for labor.
Like i said it's our first Toyota car we were always driving german machines some had much more miles and zero problems (maybe i was lucky but still). Clicking must be common, like i said the tech knew right away but that slipping/jerk while turning all the way either way is scary, it's somewhere from wheels. Thanks guys any help i appreciate.

[Ruski]

i have a click in my steering wheel as well, when i make my first turn of the wheel, kinda sounds like a thump, i dont know if its fix able but it dosnt affect my driving

[dronek1975]

I'm too not really concerned about the clicking in the steering column while making turns as per dealer who said many people wouldn't even notice it but i want to get rid if that clicking it would cost like around $450 so i decided to wait with it see what happens. Now the wheels area when i turn steering wheel all the way both left or right it bothers me. Just tested it again driving a circle with steering wheel turned all the way something is like it slips/jerks in the suspension by the wheels and damn i can feel it even my wife sitting next to me was like "what the hell?!" It's like turning all the way, making a U turn and You drive over a stone or something. I have no idea since i'm not a mechanic but definitely not normal. We also have 2006 VW passat and that car turns nice and smooth.

[gnegroni]

I had to replace my steering column because of a click that developed into a clunk...very noticeable. In the beginning, it also popped very slightly when turning the steering wheel, especially on inclines. I'm not sure if that is your specific problem, but there is a TSB for that. However, its only covered for 36k miles...

As for the fix, I purchased the steering column from Reggie (NVDIS1), right here in Solaraguy for the best price and had my trusty mechanic replace it (pretty simple). TSB instructions make it really easy too!

The dealer should tell you which part number (PN) you need to replace. Give that PN to Reggie via PM and he'll hook you up. Just to compare, the part I was quoted was about $200 + 2hour labor @ dealer ($60/h). We did it in about 30 minutes.

As far as the repair, its pretty simple. See some pics and some more information on this thread:

Steering Column Thread and Pics

[dronek1975]

Thanks for the info i think it's the same problem...how is it after fix? i think i will get to the person on here you have recommended and get it done by some independent shop. Do You think that slip/jerk from the wheels area while turning all the way both ways left and right would be related to that? or something with a suspension?

[gnegroni]

Thanks for the info i think it's the same problem...how is it after fix? i think i will get to the person on here you have recommended and get it done by some independent shop. Do You think that slip/jerk from the wheels area while turning all the way both ways left and right would be related to that? or something with a suspension?

While I don't have the TSB here with me, I think the slip/jerk you mention was related. After the repair, it has been very quiet, as you would expect. I'm glad I did it myself with my mechanic.

[Ilovemylara]

Im having a somewhat simliar problem with my lara as well

[dronek1975]

How do i get in touch with the person You have mentioned earlier...once again thanks for taking Your time to help.

[CorCamrySE]

steering yoke (intermediate shaft) is bad
theres a TSB out on it...very common issue with camry, solara and highlander

causes a click, clunk or binding feel in the steering wheel....part costs about 200-250 and i think labor is 1.5 hrs to remedy this issue...its just an annoyance, as it does not affect the driveability or safety of your solara

[gnegroni]

steering yoke (intermediate shaft) is bad
theres a TSB out on it...very common issue with camry, solara and highlander

causes a click, clunk or binding feel in the steering wheel....part costs about 200-250 and i think labor is 1.5 hrs to remedy this issue...its just an annoyance, as it does not affect the driveability or safety of your solara

TSB name is ST001-06

With regards to the part...Reggie can get it cheap (I got it for $175 shipped). As far as labor, my mechanic did it in 30 minutes, 15 more to ensure correct alignment (verify if steering wheel is straight).

The replacement is really easy. Remove air box for clearance. Get it loose inside car, get it loose in engine compartment. Remove it from engine compartment side. Voila! The hardest part is ensuring you line it up correctly. To do that, follow TSB instructions (once you get it) to mark it up.

[youngblood]

I have to say thanks, again, for such helpful posts on this topic, gnegroni. I have yet to fix my car, but it gives me peace of mind to know what to expect price-wise and time-wise when I eventually fix it. The click/clunk has slowly gotten worse over the last year, but it is still very solid and safe feeling. This spring I think I'll tackle the repair as soon as it warms up.

[gnegroni]

Were always glad to be of help!

[System_Crash]

The way you describe "hard bump/ or thump like running over a rock/ like it catches all of a sudden" Sounds like to me it could be a c/v axle going bad or the differiential spider gears are tore up/teeth missing

[System_Crash]

But my 04 se sport makes a "rubbing/chirping" sort of noise when turning at slow speeds left or right.... I'm begining to suspect the c/v axles or the wheel bearings

[CorCamrySE]

^^
are you reffering to the low pitched squeak/rubbing at low speed turns?
if so, all you need to do is grease the rubber boot where the steering shaft in the passenger cabin goes through the firewall into the engine bay


and as for me saying 1.5 and 200-250 for the part, thats at customer pay dealer rates...i know its easy to do, im a toyota tech for a local dealer...when i give quotes, i just say what the dealer would charge