Noise coming from steering column
12-05-07, 07:38 PM
#1
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Noise coming from steering column
My 03 es300 has recently started making a noise.
Whenever I drive over a rough surface I hear a rapid clunking/rattling sound coming from the steering column. I can also make the sound when I am parked with the car off and turn the wheel from side to side.
Whenever I drive over a rough surface I hear a rapid clunking/rattling sound coming from the steering column. I can also make the sound when I am parked with the car off and turn the wheel from side to side.
12-05-07, 10:02 PM
#2
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Ha ha. I got the same problem. Toyota has a service bulletin out for it. If your car is out of warranty, you are probably going to have to come out your pocket to pay. And Lexus will charge you just for inspecting the problem.
12-06-07, 07:59 AM
#3
Lexus Test Driver
This is covered for 4 years, or 50,000 miles.
STEERING
ST001-05
Title:
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE
Models:
'03 ES 300, '04 - '05 ES 330
April 29, 2005
Introduction
Some customers may hear and feel a clunk, pop, or knock type noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. A new intermediate shaft has been developed to address this concern.
Applicable Vehicles
^ 2003 model year ES 300 vehicles.
^ 2004 model year ES 330 vehicles.
^ 2005 model year ES 330 vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown below.
Production Change Information
Warranty Information
Applicable Warranty*:
This repair is covered under the Lexus Comprehensive Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 48 months or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.
* Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer's specific complaint.
STEERING
ST001-05
Title:
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE
Models:
'03 ES 300, '04 - '05 ES 330
April 29, 2005
Introduction
Some customers may hear and feel a clunk, pop, or knock type noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. A new intermediate shaft has been developed to address this concern.
Applicable Vehicles
^ 2003 model year ES 300 vehicles.
^ 2004 model year ES 330 vehicles.
^ 2005 model year ES 330 vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown below.
Production Change Information
Warranty Information
Applicable Warranty*:
This repair is covered under the Lexus Comprehensive Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 48 months or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.
* Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer's specific complaint.
Last edited by JSM1284; 12-06-07 at 08:05 AM.
12-06-07, 08:14 AM
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This isn't the type of repair that an average car person could do themselves is it?
My car has 68k miles on it. I had a chance to get mine looked at when I went in for another repair but I didn't because Lexus would charge me just for looking at it and repairs probably wouldn't be covered. They did say that it was a chance it could be covered when I called Lexus Corporate but they didn't make any promises.
I think I remember seeing a thread where a guy said he was quoted $500 for that repair. 
My car has 68k miles on it. I had a chance to get mine looked at when I went in for another repair but I didn't because Lexus would charge me just for looking at it and repairs probably wouldn't be covered. They did say that it was a chance it could be covered when I called Lexus Corporate but they didn't make any promises.
I think I remember seeing a thread where a guy said he was quoted $500 for that repair.
12-06-07, 08:25 AM
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Any chance of the airbag accidentally deploying?
I wondered this even concerning the side curtain airbags if I had to remove the A pillars for something.
Edit: I noticed that the Camry has the same exact part number listed above for the same exact problem. When I typed the part number in a Toyota parts search engine, I got the information that it was superceded by this part number: 4522033270. So now I am confused about whether it really shares the same exact part as the Camry and will the superceded part number work.
I wondered this even concerning the side curtain airbags if I had to remove the A pillars for something.
Edit: I noticed that the Camry has the same exact part number listed above for the same exact problem. When I typed the part number in a Toyota parts search engine, I got the information that it was superceded by this part number: 4522033270. So now I am confused about whether it really shares the same exact part as the Camry and will the superceded part number work.
Last edited by mick_foley; 12-06-07 at 08:35 AM.
12-06-07, 08:32 AM
#7
Lexus Test Driver
Nope, Just un-hook the battery, wait about 20 minutes. remove steering shaft, make sure that once the shaft is removed that the tires, or steering wheel DO NOT move!! Re-install new shaft.
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12-06-07, 08:42 AM
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^Disregard the edit portion of the post above. It is the same part number for the ES and Camry and the number was actually superceded by the above part number. That same part number also belongs to the Solara and Avalon which means it should be easy to find somewhere for cheap. 
I guess it is a good idea to engage the Parking Brake to make sure the tires don't move.
I guess it is a good idea to engage the Parking Brake to make sure the tires don't move.
12-06-07, 08:54 AM
#9
Lexus Test Driver
It just means left to right movement. Also I cannot stree enough, The Steering wheel MUST NOT be moved with the shaft removed!!! This will damage the clock spring.
12-06-07, 08:57 AM
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^Thanks. Doesn't the steering wheel have to come off before you can remove the shaft? Sorry for all the questions but if I decide to do this myself I definitely want to be aware and confident that I can get it done.
12-06-07, 06:24 PM
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Whoa! what an overwhelming response. I am glad to see that I am not the only one who has this problem. I will probably try to have mine done at the dealer. I am pretty good with cars, but have never worked on a Lexus and don't want to cause more harm than good.
It just has a lot of gadgets and you should try to maintain the car's class when/if you modify it IMO.