As another poster stated, this sounds like an allignment issue.

If your car seems to follow every bump in the road, it could indicate excessive toe out on the front weels. Toe out can also make the turning super-responsive, so if you were on smooth roads for your first 100 miles, the car would feel very nimble.

If you are not part of the recall, have them check your alignment.

 

Any updates on this subject? I'm very interested as I may have some similar problems...

 

Have you upgraded the front sway bar? I had that problem with my steering as well but my problem was because the cradle bolts weren't tighten down all the way. So when I drove around I can feel the steering swaying back and front by itself. After I tighten the bolts down, the problem was fixed.

 

DK01, no I haven't upgraded the front sway bar, BUT I did have the tranny overhauled. See my story here:
http://www.yoursciontc.com/forums/in...opic=10984&hl=

There's one bolt that holds the rack to the steering cradle--when I tighten it up, it's fine, but it tends to back out for some reason... when that happens i get this clunk from somewhere in that area while slow turns in parking lots or when initiate braking. I'm gonna get down there again and chet the bolts.

Question for you--when you checked how tight the bolts were before you tightened them even more, about how loose where they? Hand tight? Did you use a torque wrench? If so, did you end up torquing the bolts more than the specified torque? Also, which bolts were loose? Also did you hold the top of the bolt and tighten the nut, or did you hold the nut and tighten the bolt from above?

thanks

 

When I checked my bolts the 2nd time I notice that there was some play on the bolts. I guess they loosened up because of the cradle moving after the installing the sway bars. So I retighten the three bolts that I can reach but the bolt closes to the driver side rear is a real pain in the ___ to get to. I didn't use a torgue wrench so I just tighten it down without going to crazy on the wrench.

Since you mention that you have a bolt that keeps backing out. I would definitely recommend checking those bolts to see if they are tighten down correctly.

Make sure you have the steering wheel and your wheels pointed straight before you tighten the cradle back down. Otherwise, you will have your steering wheel pointed slightly when you drive again. Then you will have to undo the bolts again.

 

These bolts were the ones that hold the power steering link to the steering cradle, right? I just want to make sure, as you said you had a hard time getting to the driver's side rear bolt, which I found is quite easy to get to if you remove the wheel. Did you tighten the bolts from the top?

BTW, just curious...do you have an 05 or 06? Just wondering re: the TSB

 

I have a 06, and I used an extra long extension with someone on top to hold the wrench while I tighten it down on the bottom. I can't remember off top of my head if the power steering link is connected to the same bolts (been a while since I did the install) but for sure the four bolts that connect to the cradle itself. I remember the bolts had to use a nut on each bolt to tighten. I know if I looked under there I would remember.

 

I have an 05 tC, with almost 13K miles on it, so far, the steering is great, tight with no hunting or any looseness on the road. I can actually let go of the steering wheel on the highway and it tracks straight as an arrow.

Chombi
05 FM tC

 

with about 34k on my 06 tC, I just noticed clunky play in the steering especially at low speed parking lot speeds. Took it to the dealer today and they called back about 2 hrs later telling me they would need to replace the intermediate shaft in the steering column.

 

Earlier this month I had taken my car in (ATL) for that loose bolt on the cradle after putting in my sway bar and that 'clunky play' also... the dealership charged me the 45 dollar diagnostics fee after I had told them exactly what i needed done.. tighten the bolt and something with my fogs.. they gave me back the car and said they had tightened the bolt and couldn't do anything with the fogs since they're aftermarket.. then they told me the clunking was due to my hotchkis sway which is bull because ive had it for over a year and it just started making that noise.. so i payed 40 something bucks for nothing.. i took it to my toyota down in miami and they told me it was my steering shaft and not my sway bar... 220 parts 280 labor.. is that what theyre charging you guerro?

and yes.. i will be leaving that toyota in atlanta bad feedback..

 

My car is still under factory warranty. If they try to charge me they will get a big cup of S T F U poured for them. heh

 

Got my car back today and everything is nice and tight with the steering. I have about 30-40% tread left on my tires but they still tried to sell me tires. The tech said that the "worn tires are causing the pull to the right." That is bull____. I drove the car home today and it drove very straight and the pull to the right was gone. They also tried to suggest replacing the power steering fluid saying it was "extremely dirty." Amazing how the dealer will try to turn a warranty visit into extra $$ for them. Oh well, my car is fixed and I am happy with the results.