DomSmith
SILVER Star
The telescoping feature of my tilt column starting slowing down and making lots of noise soon after I purchased a 2004 Land Cruiser. I initially thought it was the tilt but soon after investigation I pinpointed it to the telescoping part. It has super low miles and was well cared for but I was sure small things would pop up here and there as it's 8 years old. I'm used to working on the 40 series but figured I'd try to tackle as much as possible on my own with this one too. I read a few threads around here and looked at the FSM but could not find clear instructions. I also swapped PM's with RoderickGI and he made me feel like it was doable so I gave it a shot...
***I did NOT disconnect the battery initially as I wanted to be able to test the functions as I went. You may choose to.
First I put the key in and adjusted the tilt all the way down and the telescope all the way out. Then I removed the column covers.
Unscrew the bottom cover screw:
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1722/IMG_1722.jpg
Turn the wheel to the side and remove each of the 2 top screws that are located behind the steering wheel:
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1724/IMG_1724.jpg
Now I just pulled on the top cover to separate the two pieces and slid them off. This exposed the column:
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1751/IMG_1751.jpg
Next I removed the screw holding this connector onto the column as it made access a little easier:
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1750 copy/IMG_1750 copy.jpg
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1748/IMG_1748.jpg
I tested the telescoping feature and and tried to figure out why it's was so slow and loud. I began by removing the nut that is secured to the column that the telescoping rod connects too thus moving the column in and out. This is what it looks like attached to the column (retained by a plate and two screws):
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1726 copy/IMG_1726 copy.jpg
This is the screw covered by the rubber collar. I just unscrewed this as one piece and took it all apart:
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1728/IMG_1728.jpg
Here are all the parts disassembled:
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1731/IMG_1731.jpg
This freed up the column so I tried moving it in and out manually. It took quite a bit of force so I thought the grease might be hardening and causing too much friction for the motor to overcome. So I pulled the column as far out as I could and used some synthetic brake caliper grease and smeared it all around the shaft. I then pushed and pulled the column in and out and re-greased 5 or 6 times. It seemed to help a little but not much. Here's where the column slides:
All the threads on the nut and the rubber bushing looked OK so I lubed it up and re-attached it. I made sure that the key was on and the telescoping adjustment was all the way out so that I could line up the nut and bushing to the end of the rod. I read about the motor binding when not properly aligned so I wanted to avoid that.
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1732/IMG_1732.jpg
Once I had it all re-assembled I tried the telescoping feature again and it worked a little better but was still making noise and moving slower than it should.
I decided to look for the telescoping motor to see if it was accessible and how difficult it would be to replace. I had already looked up the part and I was sure I could get one for about $220 if I had to. I followed the screw shaft down and saw the motor at the bottom of the column just above the pedals. It was held on by two bolts and had one electrical connector. The photo here shows where the two bolts are (red arrows, top one already removed) and the electrical connector (green arrow). This was taken from the floorboard near the pedals looking back towards the steering wheel:
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1739_1/IMG_1739_1.jpg
After removing the motor (but leaving it plugged in) I used the switch to see how well it worked. No problem turning but it was a bit noisy. I realized at this point I could just leave it unplugged (or removed until I ordered a new one) and just use the tilt feature if required.
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1744/IMG_1744.jpg
The motor also had a miniature drive-shaft and boot:
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1745/IMG_1745.jpg
I decided to break open the motor since I figured I couldn't do any more harm as I was planning on replacing it anyway. I first removed the electrical connector bolt (allen head):
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1744/IMG_1744.jpg
I then bent the four tabs back and opened the motor to take the cover off. Inside I found a bunch of loose crap.
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1740/IMG_1740.jpg
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1741/IMG_1741.jpg
Obviously this motor is probably on it's last leg but I figured I'd clean it out with some low psi compressed air put it back together to see how it performed...
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1742/IMG_1742.jpg
Here it is all put back together. I pushed the boot down just to show the parts. The boot actually rides on the shaft...
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1746/IMG_1746.jpg
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1747/IMG_1747.jpg
***I did NOT disconnect the battery initially as I wanted to be able to test the functions as I went. You may choose to.
First I put the key in and adjusted the tilt all the way down and the telescope all the way out. Then I removed the column covers.
Unscrew the bottom cover screw:
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1722/IMG_1722.jpg
Turn the wheel to the side and remove each of the 2 top screws that are located behind the steering wheel:
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1724/IMG_1724.jpg
Now I just pulled on the top cover to separate the two pieces and slid them off. This exposed the column:
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1751/IMG_1751.jpg
Next I removed the screw holding this connector onto the column as it made access a little easier:
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1750 copy/IMG_1750 copy.jpg
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1748/IMG_1748.jpg
I tested the telescoping feature and and tried to figure out why it's was so slow and loud. I began by removing the nut that is secured to the column that the telescoping rod connects too thus moving the column in and out. This is what it looks like attached to the column (retained by a plate and two screws):
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1726 copy/IMG_1726 copy.jpg
This is the screw covered by the rubber collar. I just unscrewed this as one piece and took it all apart:
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1728/IMG_1728.jpg
Here are all the parts disassembled:
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1731/IMG_1731.jpg
This freed up the column so I tried moving it in and out manually. It took quite a bit of force so I thought the grease might be hardening and causing too much friction for the motor to overcome. So I pulled the column as far out as I could and used some synthetic brake caliper grease and smeared it all around the shaft. I then pushed and pulled the column in and out and re-greased 5 or 6 times. It seemed to help a little but not much. Here's where the column slides:
All the threads on the nut and the rubber bushing looked OK so I lubed it up and re-attached it. I made sure that the key was on and the telescoping adjustment was all the way out so that I could line up the nut and bushing to the end of the rod. I read about the motor binding when not properly aligned so I wanted to avoid that.
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1732/IMG_1732.jpg
Once I had it all re-assembled I tried the telescoping feature again and it worked a little better but was still making noise and moving slower than it should.
I decided to look for the telescoping motor to see if it was accessible and how difficult it would be to replace. I had already looked up the part and I was sure I could get one for about $220 if I had to. I followed the screw shaft down and saw the motor at the bottom of the column just above the pedals. It was held on by two bolts and had one electrical connector. The photo here shows where the two bolts are (red arrows, top one already removed) and the electrical connector (green arrow). This was taken from the floorboard near the pedals looking back towards the steering wheel:
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1739_1/IMG_1739_1.jpg
After removing the motor (but leaving it plugged in) I used the switch to see how well it worked. No problem turning but it was a bit noisy. I realized at this point I could just leave it unplugged (or removed until I ordered a new one) and just use the tilt feature if required.
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1744/IMG_1744.jpg
The motor also had a miniature drive-shaft and boot:
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1745/IMG_1745.jpg
I decided to break open the motor since I figured I couldn't do any more harm as I was planning on replacing it anyway. I first removed the electrical connector bolt (allen head):
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1744/IMG_1744.jpg
I then bent the four tabs back and opened the motor to take the cover off. Inside I found a bunch of loose crap.
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1740/IMG_1740.jpg
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1741/IMG_1741.jpg
Obviously this motor is probably on it's last leg but I figured I'd clean it out with some low psi compressed air put it back together to see how it performed...
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1742/IMG_1742.jpg
Here it is all put back together. I pushed the boot down just to show the parts. The boot actually rides on the shaft...
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1746/IMG_1746.jpg
http://www.dominicsmith.com/2004_Steering_Column_files/Media/IMG_1747/IMG_1747.jpg
Last edited: