Steering Clicking!

[islander]

Hi,

I've got a new model Avensis, now about 4 months old. all seems well apart from an annoying click which has appeared in the last 2-3 weeks.

When using a fair bit of lock (usually to the right) there can be heard what sonuds like a plastic clicking sound from the wheel. It does this when moving back to the left.

When sat stationary and moving the wheel from side to side it doesnt seem to do it.....common fault - any ideas?

I presume the garage will need to take alook - had a rummage around but can't seen anything obvious...(ie keys banging or things catching...)...

[Bosnjo]

I've talked to my dealer (mine is 5 months old) about the same problem and he said it's "Airbag Spiral". I've never heard of it and I'm thinking to take it to reapare, but still hoping it will go off by itself. Please, post your experience if you go to garage. Thanks

[islander]

Dealer has given it the once over and it's going back next week for a replacement steering column......we'll see how it goes...

[tubaman]

I've got a 2002 Avensis & stearing started squiking, steering rack was replaced on warranty as apparently a modified unit is now available that sorts the problem (Toyota were aware of this)

[islander]

New steering column fitted and lo and behold - it's still clicking! I'm sure its the steering wheel,, the sound is coming from that area - of course, its going back again!

[Bosnjo]

Cheef engineer of my dealer said would check Toyota's database to see what's there about the steering clicking. He's asked me to bring the car few days ago and he checked what was going on by himself. He said it has two problems.

First, while turning stationary you can hear bzzzzzz, which he said it's the motor of the steering, because new Avensis has electro-mechanical power steering. Older cars have hidraulic power steering. And he showed me where the motor is. It's "plugged" to the column, like 30 cm bellow the steering wheel, on the left side of the coloumn (my car is left side steering wheel). And realy, while he was turning the steering wheel, you could hear bzzzzzzz.

Second, it was that annoying clicking. He said it is most probably airbag cable which is done like the spiral because steering is adjustable by deepness. So, it might be true because when I complained at first place dealer (receptionist) said "Airbag Spiral".

Now I'm waiting for the Cheef Engineer to call me. I'm not in the hurry, car is working well, beside that annoying noise.

Following your experience, it's not the column.

Please keep posting, I will as well. I gues there are many people whith last model Avensis having the same problem.