On-Vehicle Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Toyota Prius. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CHECK STEERING EFFORT (TORQUE)
NOTE: Some service operations affect the SRS airbag. Be sure to read the precautionary notice for the SRS airbag before servicing.
1. Stop the vehicle on a level, paved road and align the wheels straight ahead.
2. Disconnect the negative (-) battery terminal (see AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ).
3. Remove the horn button assy (see REMOVAL & INSTALLATION ).
4. Connect the negative (-) battery terminal.
5. Using a torque wrench, check if the steering wheel set nut is properly tightened.
  1. Torque: 50 N.m (510 kgf.cm, 37 ft.lbf)
6. Turn the power switch on (IG) (the engine and the hybrid system are stopped) so that power steering is ready to operate.
  
  Fig 1: Checking Steering Effort
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
7. Turn the steering wheel 90 degrees to the right and check steering effort (torque) while turning. Check in the opposite direction using the same manner.
  1. Steering effort (Reference): 5.5 N.m (56 kgf.cm, 49 in..lbf)
8. Align the front wheels straight ahead.
9. Disconnect the negative (-) battery terminal (see AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ).
10. Install the horn button assy (see REMOVAL & INSTALLATION ).
11. Connect the negative (-) battery terminal.
12. Clear the DTCs (see CLEARING CODES ).
13. Perform initialization (see INITIALIZATION ).
14. Inspect the airbag warning light (see DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ).
CHECK STEERING WHEEL FREEPLAY
1. Turn the power switch on (IG) so that power steering is ready to operate.
2. Align the wheels straight ahead.
3. Gently turn the steering wheel right and left with your finger and check steering wheel freeplay.
  1. Maximum freeplay: 30 mm (1.18 in.)
If the freeplay is out of specifications, replace the sliding yoke sub-assy or the steering gear assy with a new one.