Steering Column - Main Steering Shaft - Shaft Snap Ring (1 Viewer)

[MemphisTLC]

I was reading through the MilkmanVX’s post on Steering Shutter and hopefully found one of the issues potentially causing my harsh steering. Here is a link to the referenced thread:

Steering Shudder! FIXED!!!

So I have been trying to narrow down a shudder I get whenever I hit large and small holes, go over bumps at speed etc etc. I started with replacing all my shox bushes (front and back) -no change. I then checked one side of the cars rack ends and t-rods -they needed replacing so did that...

forum.ih8mud.com

After reading through the 4th post on that thread I checked to see if a loose main steering shaft locking clip (Shaft Snap Ring - Toyota Part Number - 9090520003) could be causing some of my issues. Here are a few pictures of my lower main steering shaft assembly:

Sure enough my locking clip has slipped out of the groove and somehow got wedged between the lower bracket and thrust stopper. A couple of observations/questions here….

Is the locking clip sitting backwards (based on the angle of “teeth”) on the thrust stopper?

Can I loosen the lower bracket and try to get the existing locking clip up the shaft?

Do the bearings look normal…are they in good working order?

If the bearings are in good working order and I can get the locking clip up the shaft do I just straighten the flange and locking clip teeth, insert the locking clip and rebend the flange to retain the clip?

Is this amount of grease normal?

My gut feel is someone attempted to fix the steering issue and forgot the lock ring sitting on thrust stopper. After tightening everything up and realizing their mistake they stuffed a bunch of grease into the bearing and bent the housing over to more or less try to replicate the job the locking clip is suppose to do.

Total rookie when it comes to wrenching…thanks for your insight and time in advance.

 

[TJ470]

Howdy, currently having the same issue, had to reference some images I found on Ebay (attached) picking up a new ring tomorrow and I’ll keep ya posted on how it goes

 

[MemphisTLC]

Howdy, currently having the same issue, had to reference some images I found on Ebay (attached) picking up a new ring tomorrow and I’ll keep ya posted on how it goes

View attachment 3657815

View attachment 3657816

Thanks a ton. Please let me know if it works out for you.

 

[TJ470]

Thanks a ton. Please let me know if it works out for you.

 

[TJ470]

Steering Shudder! FIXED!!!

So I have been trying to narrow down a shudder I get whenever I hit large and small holes, go over bumps at speed etc etc. I started with replacing all my shox bushes (front and back) -no change. I then checked one side of the cars rack ends and t-rods -they needed replacing so did that...

forum.ih8mud.com

Check out this thread, helped me narrow down my issue (while still waiting on my part from the dealership) so I know I’m on the right track/need to replace this ring/know where the ring is supposed to sit.

 

[MemphisTLC]

Steering Shudder! FIXED!!!

So I have been trying to narrow down a shudder I get whenever I hit large and small holes, go over bumps at speed etc etc. I started with replacing all my shox bushes (front and back) -no change. I then checked one side of the cars rack ends and t-rods -they needed replacing so did that...

forum.ih8mud.com

Check out this thread, helped me narrow down my issue (while still waiting on my part from the dealership) so I know I’m on the right track/need to replace this ring/know where the ring is supposed to sit.

This is the very article I read that alerted me to look for the snap ring. I even reached out to the original poster and asked if it was possible to insert the new ring without having to disassemble the steering column (I.e. slide it up the column by disconnecting the lower shaft). He said he didn’t know if it was possible. Asked LC100 and another poster and both were unsure if "doing it from the bottom up was a possibility. LC100 did mention needing a special service tool. I ended up tightening the two Torx bolts accessible via the pop off panels on either side of the steering wheel. This helped tremendously with shudder/slack I was feeling at the steering wheel. I can't remember the exact thread at the moment but search "loose steering wheel" and it should come up.

 

[3_puppies]

Is this the snap ring that was the subject of a recall 10-12 years ago?

 

[TJ470]

Is this the snap ring that was the subject of a recall 10-12 years ago?

oh I haven't a clue.

 

[2001LC]

Snap ring recall. Is on VGRS equipped, LX470 03-up.

 

[MemphisTLC]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention but it looks like LC from this time period were not part of the recall. Found the following letter and some similar ones on the intrerwebs....did a VIN check as well....

Response by Toyota Motor North America to the Associate Administrator for Enforcement at the NHTSA:

Re: 2003 - 2007 MY Lexus LX470 Steering Shaft Part 573, Defect Information Report

Dear Mr. Smith: In accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966and 49 CFR Part 573, on behalf of Toyota Motor Corporation [“TMC”j, we hereby submit the attached Defect Information Report concerning a voluntary safety recall of certain Lexus LX vehicles to address an issue with the steering shaft.

Please note that the substantially similar Land Cruiser vehicles utilize a different construction for the steering shaft and are not included in this campaign. Please see Toyota’s Foreign Recall Report (FRR) dated July 29, 2010 for more information.

Should you have any questions about this report, please contact me at (202) 775-1707.