Steering column rattle when driving over rough ground??

[pjorek Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close pjorek]

There's your problem right there pjorek!

I know but I'm trying to get the TMC to pay for most of it since the car is barely out of warranty.

Can anyone check why those part numbers and prices are so different? any help would be greatly appreciated

[zutta Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zutta]

Well I just got back from the dealer and I'm still in the state of shock.

I got quoted for 3 different parts + labour depending on which I go with $1500 - $2300 (incl of labour)

These are the parts:

452506A760

Or

4522060150

Or

4520335320

I'm guessing one is 1/3 column, the other is the full main shaft and third one? no idea.

My car is 2009 KD120 Gxl so part numbers should be the same as zutta and hence the price???

wow it seems they have NFI either

these prices are from toyo diy so probably not fully correct , but i would ring and check with another toyota dealer on the part numbers and get an idea.

your first number is the whole bloody top end of shaft and everything around it, this would include the part that i got replaced.

others are they have NFI and are just having a stab in the dark and your expense.

45250 COLUMN ASSY, STEERING
45250‑6A730 1 $1,203.74


45220 SHAFT ASSY, STEERING INTERMEDIATE
45220‑60140 1 $278.26


45203 SHAFT SUB-ASSY, STEERING INTERMEDIATE, NO.2
45203‑35310 1 $258.22

If it were me i would find another honest mechanic and get them to check the top assembly shaft for bearing wear and go from there, might not be the same problem but at least you will know. After previous experiences with dealerships im sure if it was just the upper shaft they would still slug you for first part number.

show them them picture of my shaft for reference and this part number

http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/s?v=G_2...4501.4&s=45210 .

good luck.

[pjorek Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close pjorek]

thanks zutta. I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be 45210 which I got quoted $695 from another dealership.

If the after warranty covers the first one I'll go with that. Let's see how Toyota Australia behaves first. I haven't claimed anything on my warranty before and the car is A1 cond.

[zutta Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zutta]

Good luck mate keep this thread updated with your outcome.

[Lodgey Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lodgey]

Pjorek,

Was wondering what the conclusion was with this issue as I have a GXL SEP-08 D4D (only purchased 2nd hand in Oct012 from someone that I know / done no off-road work) and it is exhibiting this steering column characteristic. Initially thought it was something wrong with frong suspension but a lot of things said in the thread align with what I am experiencing. Vehicle only done 90,000km and is booked in 90k service next week and I am getting mechanic to check it out.

Welcome any updates.

[pjorek Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close pjorek]

Pjorek,

Was wondering what the conclusion was with this issue as I have a GXL SEP-08 D4D (only purchased 2nd hand in Oct012 from someone that I know / done no off-road work) and it is exhibiting this steering column characteristic. Initially thought it was something wrong with frong suspension but a lot of things said in the thread align with what I am experiencing. Vehicle only done 90,000km and is booked in 90k service next week and I am getting mechanic to check it out.

Welcome any updates.

I've had my out of warranty request knocked back. Toyo have pulled it apart tightened some "out of spec" bolts - who knows what that means, and told me that if I want anything replaced I'd have to pay for it.

It's quite simple, if it's annoying you a lot you will need:

45210-35240 part + labour I was quoted $1000. Others managed to get slightly better deals.

[stephcott Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stephcott]

I've also had this problem for a few years, so got a mechanic mate to have a look. He loosened the bolt where the shaft meets the steering rack spline and then preloaded the shaft before retightening the bolt. I wont say it solved the problem but it certainly improved the situation 100%. Warning - make sure you don't put too much preload on the shaft. Good cheap fix.

[pjorek Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close pjorek]

I've had my out of warranty request knocked back. Toyo have pulled it apart tightened some "out of spec" bolts - who knows what that means, and told me that if I want anything replaced I'd have to pay for it.

It's quite simple, if it's annoying you a lot you will need:

45210-35240 part + labour I was quoted $1000. Others managed to get slightly better deals.

The part 45210-35240, which according to most here is the one that causes this issue I was quoted $695 from the local stealership. It’s $184 USD via amayama.

I hear others have had good experience with amayama so I’m thinking of going down this path, anyone thinks otherwise?

[Offroader Member Find all posts View Profile Close Offroader]

G'day pjorek,

Just confirms the truth that we are getting ripped off out here. Hadn't heard of amayama, will add that one to the list. toyotapartscheap.com is another worth looking at.

[zutta Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zutta]

Looks like you could save a bit that way mate, Avoid toyota installing it and could save more on the labour

[Lodgey Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lodgey]

I have a 09/2008 GXL diesel, purchased second hand, but I know the history of the car, was a shopping prado and occassionally towed a speedboat.

I swapped ARB deluxe bar and OME suspension from my previous 04 GXL V6 in late Nov-12. Also swapped over my Bridestone Dueller's replacing highway tyres. Post the swap it has highlighted a similar steering column rattle to what has been described in this thread, mainly on corrugations but also on rough black-top which is not hard to find...

Have had OME setup thoroughly checked as well as bull bar mounts (due to the swapping) and cannot find anything wrong so it is back into mechanic for another check this week. I will keep the forum updated. It is just annoying as it makes the suspension feel rough due to vibrations & jolts that can be felt through steering well and with the OME setup it should feel a lot plusher.

Will provide an update end of the week.

[Madkore Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Madkore]

I feel your pain Lodgey.

Sounds like you are going to have to bite the bullet.

[pjorek Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close pjorek]

Looks like you could save a bit that way mate, Avoid toyota installing it and could save more on the labour

Would you buy the whole column from amayama or since the middle section is the most likely culprit just get that bit? Doesn't seem like a HUGE price difference?

[6834cc Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close 6834cc]

Hi all,

Just bought my first Prado and it seems like I have what everyone is mentioning here. When driving at speed, on a smooth road it seems like all is well. I do feel slight jiggles but not terrible. As soon as I hit a corrugation or bump, I can feel the steering shake like something is loose. No rattle sounds just like a jiggle. I brought it to a suspension mob who said get a wheel balance and rotation and see what that does. I did so, it does drive much better but now I can tell its definately something in the steering column. I brought it back to them and they flatly said no, it can't be steering column as there is no play at all. There isn't any play but as soon as you hit a bump you can feel the whole front shake. I told them how I've read stuff on forums and they looked at me like I was a know it all. Im convinced its this!! He did say that get a wheel alignment and 4 new tyres and that will fix it.

I then brought it to another suspension place and he said, "yeah we can look at it, how much are you willing to spend to?". Felt like I was an open cheque book for them.

Anyway, my usual mechanic can't look at it for a week or so, but he did say something about a past prado he fixed, in the column there is a uni joint held by 4 bolts that can't be tightened? Once they snap it has to be redone or whatever. He did manage to fix it he reckons but not sure if this is a similar issue. I do trust him as he hasnt stuffed me around in the past, was just trying to see if it could have got done sooner, considering I brought it to specialised "suspension" shops!

Could someone please shed light on this as I have a big road trip in a few weeks and this needs to get sorted..

[pjorek Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close pjorek]

I bought a new steering main shaft assembly off amayama, went to my local Toyota to fit it but I guess any mechanic or DIY person can do it