Steering column position

[LP_4Runner]

Just a quick observation/question. I've noticed on my new 07 Runner that the steering column is not "flush" with the driving position horizontally. Meaning, it seems to point a bit "inward" towards the center of the vehicle rather than straight/flat at the driver. I haven't had a chance to look at any others and perhaps this is normal (if so....why? ). Anyone else notice this?

 

[sharp4runr]

The 4runners have a tilt and telescoping steering wheel so you can move it around to suit your needs. The only exception is that the later year SR5s do not come with telescoping steering wheels, but they do tilt.

or maybe I'm not understanding your question...?

 

[LP_4Runner]

Oh I'm quite familiar with the tilt/telecopic action. I'm referring to how the wheel is in the lateral direction. For example, the left side of the wheel is slightly closer to you than the right side in mine (meaning if you look at it from the side, the wheel is slightly facing into the vehicle instead of facing flat towards you). Just something I noticed...

 

[sharp4runr]

ahhh I see what you're saying now. I'll have to verify this tomorrow when I leave for work. it's too dang cold to be doing it this late

 

[LP_4Runner]

Oh I hear you...its pretty darn cold here as well....

 

[Toyboomer]

steering wheel tilt

I believe this tilt has to do with safety. It was discovered some years ago that if the steering wheel is pushed towards the driver in an accident the tilt would help minimize injuries. I no longer remember the rationale but perhaps if the right side is farther away, then in many head-on crashes the steering wheel was less apt to impact the chest area directly but more at an angle.

 

[Falls]

This will be great for my OCD.... now I'll be checking every time I drive it

 

[Toyboomer]

steering wheel tilt

I have been searching the internet for over an hour to answer the steering wheel tilt issue and can't find it. I was incorrect in my last post about the wheel tilting slightly to the right, at least in my car. In my E-class MB the tilt is slightly to the left. I have two theories: one is that the tilt makes entry and exit easier. The other is that it is an ergonomic safety feature.

I just looked again at my 06 Sport 4-R and can't see that it tilts either way. It seems flat.

 

[atomic punk]

Have you noticed all vehicles and golf carts have this problem? ....maybe your head is tilted slightly?

 

[Toyboomer]

tilted

I had a couple of beers and the tilt, of my head not the steering wheel, went away. Falls had it right, my OCD got the best of me.

 

[LP_4Runner]

Well, went and had it checked at the dealer. As it turns out, they all SLIGHTLY tilt inward towards the center of the truck. Mine however is more extreme even according to them so they got on the horn with Toyota technical and were told to order a column and wheel for it. So, that is that I suppose.

I also had them check out a slight suspension "lean" to the left (driver's side is about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch lower than the passenger side). Fortunately that was nothing according to them. Many do that to some degree but because I have the air suspension they can "tweak" it out with an adjustment to the left side height sensor bar position. Failing that, they can shim the body slightly (I'm familiar with that - quite a few body-on-frame trucks get that at one point or another if the owner is picky ).

 

[atomic punk]

That's weird. Is the steering column tilt a "problem" or just an observation? I hope nothing further goes wrong as a result of the remove/replacement.

My jeep sits 1-2" lower on the passenger's side by design. So when the driver sits down, it's even. Never heard of it the other way though.