I've got an '05 V6 Highlander with just under 40k miles that I bought used about 7 months ago. I notice that under certain low speed conditions I feel a very slight knock/feedback through the steering wheel. It's my wife's car (she doesn't notice it, but I notice just about everything, being who I am ) Nothing dramatic, it just seems like something is getting a little loose. I looked underneath at the driveshaft and steering rod rubber boots, and they all seem fine (no splits).
Looking down at the steering U-joint, just ahead of the driver's side firewall, I notice that there are two small rubber boots, one just below the joint, and one just above. No boot over the U-joint, itself, though. This seems a little odd to me, unless they are sealed bearings.
Is this a common steering feeling, or should I have it checked out further at the shop?
I have this same thing. I can't pinpoint when it happens. Seems to be most noticeable when turning in reverse, I've never felt it at more than 5mpg, and there are times I don't feel it for a week or two. It seems like something needs to be tightened or something.
There was another post on this forum that people were having the intermediate shaft replaced under warranty. I thought about it, and the part was 193 bucks so forget it. Maybe if it gets worse.
Yep - I have it too. My '05 has around 30k miles and it started a month or so back. The steering wheel feels like it is pulling up a slight amount when making a low speed turn. Steering wheel really doesn't pull up -- just feels like a detent in the system...
The recall was on the Camry which used the same part. The Highlander was NOT in the recall. ( Don't shoot the messenger ) . My wife was back 4 times before 36K and they found nothing. After I saw that Camry recall, I looked at her's and immedately went to the dealer. We were 35,9xx miles at the time. Once I pointed it out, they ordered it and replaced it. Her's was covered by the 3/36.
I don't know why .... the Highlander was NOT covered ....... The mechanics at 2 different dealers could not diagnose when the same failure was a recall on another vehicle ........ I had to point it out when I looked it was obvious the small universal joints were bad.
Thanks for the info. Are just the two small u-joints replaceable, or did they replace the whole linkage assembly? After the work was done, was that obviously what needed correction?
Yeah sometimes yu have to Help the dealer think "out of the box" on certain issues. They are much too focused on data that Toyota must provide.
Some dealers get adamant about what their diagnosis is. And they just turn a deaf ear to what the customer has to say or offer.
They will feel that customers are ignorant most of the time. This goes for most Mfr. dealers. But not all.
By contrast, any decent private repair shop will tend to listen more to the customer.
I have seen Camrys with this intermediate steering shaft issue. But I have not had this issue with my newer 06 HL.
Doesn't mean it won't happen in the future though.
I had the clunking noise and feeling of an indent. Firestone dealer told me my rack and pinion steering was bad and wanted about $1400 for repair. I had Toyota dealer check the HL, and it was the intermediate shaft. Extended warranty covered the cost of the repair. I no longer trade at the Firestone dealer
I took my u-joint off a while back as there was some mild knocking and a slight binding. One of the axis bearings has become stiffer and has a notchy gritty feel to it with some very mild play. I put it back on and will replace when it becomes more annoying as the part is $$.
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AVC
'02 Highlander
'03 Pilot
'01 Civic
There is an updated TSB for the intermediate steering shaft noise issue. The dealers don't replace them anymore. Instead, the new TSB (TSB 0296-08) have them lubricate them.
I feel that these were not lubed at all during manufacturing. An old problem.
An oversight/defect that Toyota warrants when they feel like.
They will turn yu and this issue away until yu are at 36,001 miles or 36 mos + 1 Day....then that same reputable Stealership will rob yu "Off Warranty". They will all of a sudden know what the problem is...but at your expense.
Nothing new to the auto industry in general.
So they had several thousand of these never lubed. They are the pros in getting around these kinds of defects and losing no money in the process.
Although Toy.dealers get reimbursed by TMS for warranty issues...they truly don't want to get bogged down with nuisance issues such as this. TMS reimburses in an untimely fashion and the paperwork is rediculous. And many claims get kicked back and must be resubmitted. Dealers get high grades for low warranty submissions. There is an incentive built into the Franchise Dealer's agreement. If out of warranty they charge the customer . With warranty, there is no markup on the parts and the labor rate is adjusted by the franchise agreement. Warranty work is not a good thing for dealerships. If there is an abnormally high rate of warranties submitted ...the TMS regional rep has a sit down with the Service manager.
Last edited by LifeTech; 04-23-2009 at 07:39 PM.
Reason: spel
'05 V6 HL - slight knock thru steering
) Nothing dramatic, it just seems like something is getting a little loose. I looked underneath at the driveshaft and steering rod rubber boots, and they all seem fine (no splits). 
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