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Toyota Prius Suspension/Steering Problems

26 messages,  Last post on Mar 10, 2011 at 12:13 AM

You are in the Toyota Prius Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Steering, Suspension, Hybrid Cars, Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 3 of 3

#20 of 26 Re: BTT Stiffener Plate [stevegold] by pathstar1

Apr 13, 2007 (7:38 am)

Replying to: stevegold (Apr 13, 2007 5:14 am)
Most owners with "wandering" problems find it's one of two issues:
1. Prius "toein" is specified at almost 0, with the range from 0 to about 0.55 as I recall (but don't quote me). Most owners with wandering problems had it set to 0.5 (still within spec but not "0") and found that makes it much better. Again, there is a lot more info. on this over on priuschat.
2. Some owners unconsciously "fight" the electric power steering. Once they realize what they are doing and stop, they are fine.

#21 of 26 Re: New 2006 steering/alignment problems + airbag light always on [lynsam] by gzwegers

Apr 13, 2007 (5:58 pm)

Replying to: lynsam (Sep 29, 2006 12:58 pm)
A high percentage of new prius' have alignment issues. My 2004 was no different. I would insist that the dealer set the front toe at 0.1 deg total and at .05deg per side. I watched my first set of tires disintigrate within 30Kmi. The rear alignment is still a mess. I had it measured today and the right side is at .4deg toe and the left is at .08deg. The left wheel is the tire chewer. I am going to attempt a fix with shims as described by aanother owner on this chat board. My vehicle handles considerably better with the front alignment as indicated and michelin harmony tires fitted. I have noticed that the vehicle drives much better if you look farther down the road when cruising the freeways and do not over correct your direction. Just keep your eyes pointed where you want to go and the car will follow, just like a boat. This technique is one of the first items covered at many high performance driving schools. Once you start to trust the car, it will feel better. Any vehicle with relatively neutral front toe, which decreases rolling resistance for fuel mileage, will feel like this. I have driven my prius quite aggressively during fits of exuberance and am still alive to tell.

#22 of 26 Squeak in drive train by smt1

May 18, 2007 (5:44 am)

Has anyone had this problem? I have an 06 Prius (22,000 miles). Recently it has developed a squeak in the drive train. The easiest way to reproduce this issue is to drive the car then put it in park. Go to the front of car and rock the car back and forth (not up/down) You will be able to hear the squeak in the passenger side front. The dealership has yet to fix this issue. Also, if you let the car sit for about 5 minutes and cool off, the noise is no longer there when rocking the car. This has gotten worse to the point now that you can hear the squeak when driving the car at low speeds.

#23 of 26 Re: Squeak in drive train [smt1] by podman1

Jan 19, 2008 (1:27 pm)

Replying to: smt1 (May 18, 2007 5:44 am)
I have 2005 Prius and was bothered by a similar problem. You could rock the vehicle, in park, e brake off and hear the squeak within 5-10 minutes after turning off the car.I also could hear the sound, when the engine was off and I was going into my garage up a slight incline that required a bit of accelerator. The first couple of times the dealer could find nothing wrong, probably due to the fact that the car had cooled down. I suggested to the technician that he check the flexible connector in the exhaust system, since the sound appeared to be a dry squeak. Turns out that was the problem! They ordered a new part and now I have a squeak free Prius.

#24 of 26 vibration and rubbing felt in steering wheel. by sarge116

Jun 09, 2010 (5:46 pm)

My used 2005 Prius drove great until I hit double RR tracks going a bit too fast. Now I can feel all the bumps and cracks in the road, there is a vibration but especially a "rubbing" feeling coming through the steering wheel. It is getting worse and can be felt on the floor and gas pedal now.
 
Five places have checked it out and find nothing loose. The last I had the tires rotated and balanced. Still the same vibration, etc. Everyone says the struts are fine, tires too. What could be the problem? Wheel bearings?? I'd like to take it on a trip soon.

#25 of 26 Re: vibration and rubbing felt in steering wheel. [sarge116] by pf_flyer HOST

Jun 10, 2010 (3:25 am)

Replying to: sarge116 (Jun 09, 2010 5:46 pm)
Nothing may be loose, but was anything bent? From my experience, a wheel bearing is going to be more noticeable as a noise than a feeling in the wheel. You might want to have an alignment done

#26 of 26 prius 2009 alignment problems by oldsterxxx

Mar 10, 2011 (12:13 am)

I have a 2009 prius and had to replace 2 tires at 15000 miles and have it re-aligned. I had the alignment checked again in 3 months and it was out of alignment. Put it back into alignment and had it checked again in another 3 months and it was out of alignment again. Toyota was absolutely no help and just blew me off. Needless to say I am not happy about buying a $30000 new car that won't hold its alignment.
 
Anyone else having the same problems with Toyota Prius? Anyone able to get any help from Toyota?

Messages Page 3 of 3

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