Weird problem

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

Hey guys,

I have a weird problem I am having with my Prado.

I bought it November last year and in the first week of December I took the family away to Surfers from Newcastle. A couple hours into the trip I started to experience pain in my left elbow. The pain continued for the whole holiday and I still have it now.

I was going to put it down to me getting old, but my 16 year old step daughter is experiencing the same issue, as is my wife.

I was thinking it might be a positional issue with the steering wheel and seat, so I thought I would put it out there in case others have had similar problems. If this problem is unheard of, then I have no idea what to do.

I love my Prado, but it's not as fun to drive when it hurts!

cheers
dean

[Matty80 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Matty80]

Re: Weird problem

Pain in your left eblow? Never heard of that before... !!!
Seems very strange considering both steering wheel and seat have adjustable positioning?

I assume that this pain is from actually driving the vehicle, not just from being inside it?

Sounds like case of severe prado-elbow!

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

Re: Weird problem

I assume that this pain is from actually driving the vehicle, not just from being inside it?
!

Yep happens when driving only

I could understand if it was just me, but like I said, it happens to my wife and her daughter too.

Maybe the car has been in an accident and the seat is a little of centre... I got no idea.

I have even thought of selling it :cry:

[stevensr34 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stevensr34]

Re: Weird problem

Why would you get a pain in the elbow from driving a car? Don't you turn the wheel, and therefore move your elbow's position?
Do the other occupants get this only when they are driving, I assume?
Do you all hold the gear lever when driving or some other bad habit? - maybe rest your elbow on the centre console?
Weird, allright!

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Re: Weird problem

I can only assume that the pain is caused by the person in the passenger seat poking you in the arm and saying "c'mon my turn to drive" :lol: I was waiting for the punch line in the original post, can't imagine what else would be causing the pain if you are serious. We did 15000kms in 8 weeks last year with no problems, several other trips with many thousands of k's in a few weeks as well and no elbow problems. I do find the rear end gets a bit sore after 1100kms in a day though :wink:

Cheers Andrew

[Matty80 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Matty80]

Re: Weird problem

In my honest doctors opinion, it's definitely prado-elbow! Easily cured by less driving and more sharing...

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

Re: Weird problem

I am totally serious guys!

I have never developed a pain in my elbow driving any other car. But I would put this problem down to me getting old if it was just me, but it happens to 2 other people, which makes me think there is a problem with the seating position or something with my car.

I know that the issue sounds really stupid..... but what is the point on owning a car that produces pain in the elbow for each and every driver?

[two+four Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close two+four]

Re: Weird problem

What exactly do you drive?

Year, model, powerplant, transmission, accessories etc?

That sort of info may trigger other people with a similar configuration to have an input?

[timmay5.7 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close timmay5.7]

Re: Weird problem

Do you always have 2 hands on the wheel, or do you alternate, or is one resting on the centre console, or?
There is too many variables.

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

Re: Weird problem

What exactly do you drive?

Year, model, powerplant, transmission, accessories etc?

That sort of info may trigger other people with a similar configuration to have an input?

I was hoping it may trigger someones experience...

It's a 2006 V6 Auto Grande.

I do notice that I sit my right elbow on the door at times. I've been thinking that I hold the wheel with my left arm straightened, which is tensing up my elbow and corresponding muscles. But I don't know why the same problem is being felt by 2 others, one who is a learner driver who is new at driving and always has 2 hands at 10 to 2 position.

I am totally baffled. I've driven a total of an hour today and my arm is killing me. Seeing the GP tomorrow but again it doesn't explain why 2 other people have the same issue.

[prh Member Find all posts View Profile Close prh]

Re: Weird problem

I suspect that it may be linked with the tendency for the vehicle to track left - due to road camber.

To counter this, you could be holding your left arm more tensely, to counteract the left tracking by pushing the wheel slightly to the right.

Try holding your wheel symmetrically. Position your hands so that your little fingers are at the 9-3 position and try to use your right hand as well as the left to keep the vehicle tracking straight.

Part of the issue with tennis elbow is relative poor blood supply at the muscular attachments near the bones. Periodically, try just clenching and releasing your wrists - this can help to improve local circulation and keep metabolic products moving through.

Also consider your overall sitting position, as I don't think it is recommended to drive with straight arms and it is not ergonomic to do so.

Paul

[don1 Member Find all posts View Profile Close don1]

Re: Weird problem

Maybe driving with the aircon on and blowing directly to your elbow & making it sore.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Re: Weird problem

I suspect that it may be linked with the tendency for the vehicle to track left - due to road camber.

To counter this, you could be holding your left arm more tensely, to counteract the left tracking by pushing the wheel slightly to the right.

Try holding your wheel symmetrically. Position your hands so that your little fingers are at the 9-3 position and try to use your right hand as well as the left to keep the vehicle tracking straight.

Part of the issue with tennis elbow is relative poor blood supply at the muscular attachments near the bones. Periodically, try just clenching and releasing your wrists - this can help to improve local circulation and keep metabolic products moving through.

Also consider your overall sitting position, as I don't think it is recommended to drive with straight arms and it is not ergonomic to do so.

Paul

Could be onto something here, might pay to check the wheel alignment :idea: if its pulling slightly to the left who knows.
It would be really useful if you could find another Prado and take it for a decent drive, Might tell you if its a Prado problem or specific to yours.

Cheers Andrew

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

Re: Weird problem

I think we might be onto something here

My left front tyre has a slow leak which means that it does pull a little more to the left probably how it should. Steering is a little on the heavy side coz I need to buy some front tyres soon.

The aircon could be something too.

I was thinking it could be tennis elbow. It is amazing how sore it is now. Never ever had a problem ever until I got the prado and headed to Queensland. Since then I have problems pulling a sliding door coz of the pain.

The slight pulling to the left could be it for all of the drivers. Will also take note of hand and seating position.

Really appreciate everyones help. Been thinking about posting this question for a while, but I knew how silly it sounded so didn't bother, but the pain is bad and it didn't make sense everyone was getting it who drove my car.

Thanks
dean

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Weird problem

It may well be a case of poor posture for you when driving. Just like sitting in front of a computer all day, correct posture is important.

I've had surgery on right elbow for torn extensor tendon and my left one has gone out in sympathy with the right so now looking at getting that one fixed. The result is I have to constantly rest each arm whilst driving distances. At 52 next month these sorts of injuries/wear tear are fairly normal.

As for the rest of your driving family - they are probably suffering from a sympathetic disorder because of your pain!