Steering Knock

[dmc]

Hi,

I am experiencing a slight steering knock when turning the wheel to the right on partial lock. This has being ongoing for a few months. Sometimes it doesn't happen for a few days and then it reappears again. It mainly happens when the car has been stopped for some time eg. in the morning. I have checked the front suspension bushings and all is good here. I have read on this site about the steering shaft splines needing greasing with a special "yellow" toyota grease. These splines are located just inside the car before the steering shaft exits through the bulkhead. When I look at this joint I see some traces of a yellow grease so maybe it has been greased before.

If I need to grease it does the steering wheel need to be removed and how does the airbag need to be removed? Also the dust seal where the steering shaft exits through the bulkhead is broken in places - I'm thinking if I need to regrease the steering shaft then this would be the time to renew this seal also. Is this a complicated job? At the moment I have some tissue stuffed around it but would like to do a porper jo on it.

Any advice is greatly appreciated

Thanks

dmc

[gazza1286]

I did this a few years ago. Removing the steering wheel will give easier access but I don't think it is absolutely necessary. I think I removed it. The upper steering shaft has a bracket which is bolted onto the bulkhead which needs undoing. This allows the splitting of the splined shaft. (my car was the pre-VVTI 1.8SE 2000). Can't help with the dust seal I'm afraid. Is it not covered on the Haynes Manual? If you are going to remove the entire steering column then the steering wheel will probably need to come off.

[dmc]

Many thanks for the reply. If the steering wheel comes off does the air bag come off with the wheel or has it to be removed seperately.

Thanks again

dmc

[gazza1286]

Disconnect the Battery and wait 2 minutes.

Remove the audio remote control switch if fitted.

You will need a torx socket/driver. the release screws are either side of the steering wheel boss to release the air-bag.

Then the horn wiring.

Then the nut retaining the steering wheel to the shaft.

[Alan Morgan]

You can do it easily by just removing the bottom steering column U/J. Just make sure to keep the wheels in the straight ahead position and clamp the steering wheel!