DIY: Telescoping Column Motor Removal/Repair

[Navjot Chaggar]

Bought my Lx last week and the steering wheel didnt telescope but tilts. Reading through this post made me realize how common this issue is but I was not looking forward to spending $300 already to fix the steering wheel telescope (I need it cause I am tall). I read through the DIY in detail and today took it upon my self to check out the steering wheel column to only find that the telescope motor was disconnected.

That saved me some $$$ and headache.

 

[plainjanefjc]

Mine tilts but no telescope. Is this why I get a friction rubbing noise in the column when turning the wheel?

 

[mdcoa]

I cannot imagine how a failure of the telescope motor could be causally related to a grinding sound when no rotating the wheel. Probably a separate issue. Maybe stick your head down there with a stethoscope while someone rotates the wheel to see if you can figure out what’s grinding?

 

[skymast]

I don't tilt / telescope. The steering wheel is in a great location but it drives me crazy that they don't work. Next project!

 

[parnoren]

Mine tilts but no telescope. Is this why I get a friction rubbing noise in the column when turning the wheel?

My rubbing noise came from the rubber boot where the column meets the firewall. Some lithium grease too care of it (all I had at the moment, 7 years ago). I imagine any type of grease will do.

 

[GooseGraves]

Not really, but like I said it's been a few years since last one I did. Often I find, "mud step by step instruction" has us taking off to much. Just remove what you must. It's not a difficult job at all. As always take pictures as you go. Then you can look back at during assembly.

I suspect if you've had set to auto, motor is worn out. Doesn't hurt to try jumping or opening and cleaning first. You can always come back and install new later. It's just time and you'll find easier second time. If you've not had set to auto and not using, it may just need exercising.

I'm trying to figure out gremlins in my steering column. Tilt works, telescoping no. Will probably just get a new unit in there, but thinking it will be good to disable all the auto tilt/telescoping after. How does one do that? I tried searching forums but not finding a straightforward answer...appreciate any knowledge here...

 

[2001LC]

I'm trying to figure out gremlins in my steering column. Tilt works, telescoping no. Will probably just get a new unit in there, but thinking it will be good to disable all the auto tilt/telescoping after. How does one do that? I tried searching forums but not finding a straightforward answer...appreciate any knowledge here...

Likely bad Tele motor. It is the most common issue.

Reading this thread and many in ih8mud on the subject, will give you your answer. FSM (factory Service Manual) is the best read.

I like to pull wire-harness off working motor and switch with non working motor. If tele still not working, bad motor. If then works switch wires back try again. Some don't work due to lack of use. Sometime it's not motor but circuit. FSM take through the diagnostics tree.

If you disable auto function, in tech stream. Make sure to use monthly. Just as with all controls and switches in the 100 series. Use it or lose it!

 

[rock climber]

I'm trying to figure out gremlins in my steering column. Tilt works, telescoping no. Will probably just get a new unit in there, but thinking it will be good to disable all the auto tilt/telescoping after. How does one do that? I tried searching forums but not finding a straightforward answer...appreciate any knowledge here...

From what I've read it has to be done through techstream

 

[2001LC]

If you have Tech stream, first check function through it. If works likely a switch gone bad.

 

[GooseGraves]

Likely bad Tele motor. It is the most common issue.

Reading this thread and many in ih8mud on the subject, will you give you your answer. FSM (factory Service Manual) is the best read.

I like to pull wire-harness off non working motor and switch with working motor. If tele still not working, bad motor. But also check bad motor on good motors harness.

If you disable auto function. Make sure to use monthly. Just as with all controls and switches in the 100 series. Use it or lose it!

Unfortunately that manual did not make it to my hands. Anyone in greater NYC area/NJ/CT with access to Techstream?

 

[plainjanefjc]

I'm trying to figure out gremlins in my steering column. Tilt works, telescoping no. Will probably just get a new unit in there, but thinking it will be good to disable all the auto tilt/telescoping after. How does one do that? I tried searching forums but not finding a straightforward answer...appreciate any knowledge here...

Mine did tilt but no telescope- once I started taking everything apart and banging around I got it to work again…

 

[YotaWagon]

Got mine on Ebay for a $173.00 8923260022 GENUINE TOYOTA LEXUS MOTOR, POWER TELESCOPIC TILT 89232-60022 OEM | eBay

Trying to figure out if it's necessary to replace the yellow crumbled Teflon washer in this photo seen at the tip of my Phillips screw driver. Can't tell if it really does anything and if it does how would I replace it? Also what type of lube to use on the telescoping shaft. Seems very stiff to move up and down. Could use a good lubing!

View attachment 1979538

Any update on how you handled this? Mine crumbled as well. I found the part but I'm not sure how to go about replacing it. I think it's part number 45866-60020. I'm assuming once I remove the motor and small shaft/boot that it can slip out and I can replace the inner/outer "STOPPER, STEERING MAIN SHAFT BUSH"

From the steering column and shaft diagram:

 

[messican78]

Hi fellas.....
......sorry to sound like I'm beating a dead horse here.
Just picked up my LX 470 over the weekend and took it to the stealership to get it overlooked.
Tech was very impressed by it and only encountered a few things. I can pretty much do all of them but this one has me wondering...

Tech said "it's an ECU issue" and wants to replace it before doing more troubleshooting.
Is there a seperate ECU for the tilt/telescoping or is it part of the vehicle ECU?

Also, anyone have a link to the cable and software for techstream?

 

[IceStorm]

Bought my Lx last week and the steering wheel didnt telescope but tilts. Reading through this post made me realize how common this issue is but I was not looking forward to spending $300 already to fix the steering wheel telescope (I need it cause I am tall). I read through the DIY in detail and today took it upon my self to check out the steering wheel column to only find that the telescope motor was disconnected.

That saved me some $$$ and headache.

View attachment 2897405

 

[uHu]

....Is there a seperate ECU for the tilt/telescoping or is it part of the vehicle ECU?

Also, anyone have a link to the cable and software for techstream?

There is a Tilt and Telescope ECU. There is no "Vehicle ECU". There are about 14 ECUs, depending on market, equipment and year.

Find MiniVCI cable with SW in the TechStream thread. How-To: TechStream In 5 Minutes - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/how-to-techstream-in-5-minutes.1034923/page-56

 

[messican78]

There is a Tilt and Telescope ECU. There is no "Vehicle ECU". There are about 14 ECUs, depending on market, equipment and year.

Find MiniVCI cable with SW in the TechStream thread. How-To: TechStream In 5 Minutes - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/how-to-techstream-in-5-minutes.1034923/page-56

could you please tell me the location of that particular ECU, or a part number, if you have it?

 

[Wilsil]

MiniVCI and Techstream is cheaper

 

[uHu]

could you please tell me the location of that particular ECU, or a part number, if you have it?

There is less than 1 % chance for the fault being with the ECU. It is always either the motor (if the automatic "up-and-away" has not been disabled at an early stage), or it is the screw which is stuck, gummed up.

The ECU is high up, all the way to the left, above the drivers footwell. Dunno #, depends on manuf. year/month.

 

[messican78]

There is less than 1 % chance for the fault being with the ECU. It is always either the motor (if the automatic "up-and-away" has not been disabled at an early stage), or it is the screw which is stuck, gummed up.

The ECU is high up, all the way to the left, above the drivers footwell. Dunno #, depends on manuf. year/month.

Thank you!

 

[fussychicken]

Big thanks to all the posters here. I was able to get a new tilt and tele motor installed today. I ended up taking off the bottom panel and metal plate and it made life easier. Happy to have this fixed.

As others have mentioned the grease in the telescoping shaft seems very old and crusty, but I didn't feel like taking it all apart. (Even with this, the new telescope motor works.) I also have some slop / play in that shaft anyway, and based on other threads it looks like I will eventually need replacement there, so I'm also skipping that for now.

I only had one gotcha today.... Does anyone know where this part goes? I was trying to get the telescope shaft bracket properly aligned and then I heard a PING and this part hit the floor:

It is a teeny tiny part, less than 0.5" long. I was able to find out the part number and name: 45877-60011 SPACER, STEERING COLUMN BRACKET

I just can't figure out where it goes! Or what it is even supposed to do?