Steering Problem

[Rick D4D]

Well I have just done 600 miles over Christmas in our T180 and have noticed I have about 5 degrees of play in the steering (is this normal on the Auris?) this was very noticeable when we was on a frozen road driving on the frozen marks of a tractor tyre in the snow. Due to the ripple effect the steering was knocking against the column etc and just felt awful but what is very annoying is that 5 weeks ago I paid MR T £80 for 4 wheel laser alignment (due to fitting 4 new tyres) and that last week they also did this again as the steering wheel was not centred properly, but the thing is any good mechanic should check the suspension and steering for play prior to carrying out 4 wheel laser alignment as you would be wasting your time in doing the work. I will have to go and see Mr T next week but I would guess the car will need a new steering rack and 4 wheel laser alignment doing again which I will not be paying for again, I am just glad the car is under warranty as I suspect the steering rack will be about £700 - £1000 fitted if the bit of play in the steering is normal than I suspect a drop link will be knocking.

To be honest apart form the ratchet breaking on the passenger seat this is the first problem we have had apart form the wipers being crap. I was in Dumfries Scotland and I did see a blue SR180 owner in McD's car park boxing day morning was this ilegalhunter? or anyone here?

[Rick D4D]

just had a better look and the bit of play is between the steering wheel and steering rack so I suspect this is the steering column, Is a nats of play normal or do I have a problem?

[doogal1]

just had to get a new column on my t180

it was rattling going over bumps like cobble road

mr t tried to sort it twice then got ok from toyota uk for new one now fine

[Rick D4D]

well have been to see MR T and we both checked a few Auris's and the nats of play is normal so I suspect I have a nats play in a drop link or something so they can look at this when the car is serviced on 30th january

[tribon60]

hi there i have a 58 plate 1.6 t3 with 4000 miles on clock ,i did think i had a wee knock on steering when going from lock to lock but as you said with the hard packed snow on the road surface / wee ripples ,i have noticed a vibration through steering wheel ,and no i have not damaged the front wheels or kerbed them in anyway ,car is as left showroom

[Rick D4D]

hi there i have a 58 plate 1.6 t3 with 4000 miles on clock ,i did think i had a wee knock on steering when going from lock to lock but as you said with the hard packed snow on the road surface / wee ripples ,i have noticed a vibration through steering wheel ,and no i have not damaged the front wheels or kerbed them in anyway ,car is as left showroom

This is exactly what we have, the car has been fine until today when in Mansfield J28 M1 we have had approx 6" of snow and as we speak its snowing again, abd as you can guess with the uneven road surface the knocking is back but the service is at the end of the month so will get it checked then;)

[tribon60]

hi mate my service not due till next july ,so was going to call dealer ,just wanted to see how many other people might have same problem ,before i do ,thanks

[tribon60]

hi all took my car into dealer on thursday to get steering checked ,after a long run by mech ,i have now been told the car needs a new steering rack and steering coloum ,i have had many toyotas over the last 20 years some with minor faults ,but this if the first time any major rework is needing done ,i am disapointed with toyota ,the reason i bought the auris was it is made in britain ,my last car yaris was made in france ,i like to buy brit to keep us in work ,but this is putting me off ,the cars is booked in for this thursday for rework ,i will let them do it and then reassese the auris ,if not totally happy /lose of confidence in it i will change it to a new 1.33 yaris ,made in france