'06 Avalon TSB ST002-06 Power Steering Noise Fix

[Mike Murrell]

My wife's '06 Avalon has a problem that this might fix. If I pull into a parking lot, stop the car, go inside a store and come back, then start the car and drive off slowly, I hear a rubbing sort of noise a few secs after the car starts rolling. It last a sec. or two, then clears up.

Here's the TSB:

************************************************** STEERING


Title:
Models:

Technical Service
BULLETIN

March 14, 2006

STEERING COLUMN NOISE
’05 – ’06 Avalon
ST002-06
TSB REVISION NOTICE:

.
December 21, 2006: The introduction and the “Model” column of the Parts
Information table have been updated.
Previous versions of this TSB should be discarded.

Introduction
Some 2005 – 2006 model year Avalon vehicle customers may complain of a ticking noise
from the steering wheel while driving slowly and turning left or right. The steering column
assembly manufacturing process has been improved.

Follow the repair procedure provided in this TSB to replace the steering column assembly
and correct the noise.

Steering Column Assembly
Applicable .
2005 – 2006 model year Avalon vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change
Vehicles

Effective VIN shown below.

Production
Change
Information

MODEL PRODUCTION CHANGE EFFECTIVE VIN
Avalon 4T1BK36B16U099714

Warranty
Information

OP CODE DESCRIPTION TIME OFP T1 T2
442051 R & R Steering Column Assembly 1.3 45250–##### 9A 40

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.
Toyota Supports ASE Certification
Page 1 of 2


STEERING COLUMN NOISE – ST002-06 Revised
March 14, 2006

Parts
Information

MODEL PREVIOUS PART NUMBER CURRENT PART NUMBER PART NAME QTY
Avalon XL,
XLS, &
Touring
45250–AC021 Same Column Assembly,
Steering
1
Avalon
Limited
45250–AC011 Same Column Assembly,
Steering
1

Repair 1. Confirm the customer complaint by driving the vehicle slowly and turning the steering
Procedure wheel left or right.

2.
If a tick noise can be heard or felt from the steering wheel when turning left or right,
replace the steering column assembly.
3.
To replace the steering column assembly, refer to the Technical Information System
(TIS), 2005 or 2006 model year Avalon Repair Manual: Steering Column: Steering
Column Assembly.
Page 2 of 2



Mike MurrellView Public ProfileSend a private message to Mike MurrellFind More Posts by Mike MurrellAdd Mike Murrell to Your Buddy List

[tabeast]

Wow, this is a dead post - maybe just you and me have had this issue ??

What is the deal with these TSB things. I am really quite unhappy about it. I have an 04 4runner, an 06 avalon, and just picked an 08 sequoia (really really sweet). My Avalon was past warranty when the problem started so the dealership tells me that will be $800 for parts and labor to fix. These TSB's - like the TSB for Avalaon transmission shifting - are all actions to correct things that Toyota did poorly or incorrectly. But they want me to pay for it now. That's a risky road. I may just starting buying Chevrolet and paying and xtra couple grand for the all points forever warranties. What not if Toyo expects me to pay for their screw ups.

[gold4runner]

Originally Posted by tabeast

Wow, this is a dead post - maybe just you and me have had this issue ??

What is the deal with these TSB things. I am really quite unhappy about it. I have an 04 4runner, an 06 avalon, and just picked an 08 sequoia (really really sweet). My Avalon was past warranty when the problem started so the dealership tells me that will be $800 for parts and labor to fix. These TSB's - like the TSB for Avalaon transmission shifting - are all actions to correct things that Toyota did poorly or incorrectly. But they want me to pay for it now. That's a risky road. I may just starting buying Chevrolet and paying and xtra couple grand for the all points forever warranties. What not if Toyo expects me to pay for their screw ups.

I believe I have the same issue, the steering wheel clicks on low speed turns or on turns with accel or decel. I took it to toyota and of course they could not find anything. I will bring it back. I can say that based on Mike's post, I am past the VIN number for the tsb, but is sure seems like I have the problem.

[tabeast]

I just got off the phone with Toyota. This part is replaced in 2007 and 2008 models , different part altogether. But they want ME to PAY $400 to put the correct non-defective part in my 2006 (2 year old - that's right) Avalon.

Wow that really sucks. Arrogant SOBs.

[Mike Murrell]

In my case, it simply turned out to be a lack of understanding on my part.

What I was hearing was the clicking sound that lasts for a second or two when you first start the car and drive off.

That noise is a self-test that's conducted by the cars ABS(anti-lock brake system). It's annoying, but a fact of life.

I wonder how many people have mistaken this ABS test-at-startup with the power steering TSB?

On another forum, I read an account of a Toyota owner who had taken his car in for a problem that turned out to be the ABS self-test. The service writers & techs were clueless. He learned what the real cause was when a forum member responded. This is why I asked the "I wonder" question.