Last weekend @ Toyota of Carlsbad... Take it in at 7am, yet still have to leave it with them until the next day. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Since I'm there anyways, I ask them to do a simple check on something - I have a bunch of play at the backside of the p/s box (steering wheel side) and I want to see if there's any way to adjust it out. I explain to them that I have already removed my non-stock steering dampener (so they won't lose any of the bracket parts) & to call should they have a ?'s... They don't call; What they proceed to do is replace the relay rod, jack up what was a perfectly aligned front end & place blame on play in the steering on the idler arm (1 week old), the rag joint (0 play in it) and the lack of a steering dampener (which I told them I removed). In addition to all of this, they 'wash' my vehicle... The kids down the block do a better job - at least they do the windows & don't leave water spots. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

I went over to Firestone the same day & had them correct the alignment - Dealership claims the TRE sleeves were frozen... Hmmm, kinda funny since they adjust just fine for everyone else. THIS IS EXACTLY WHY I DON'T GO TO THE DEALER. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" />

who wants to come with me when i take mine in next month and ask where this relay rod thingie is??

Oooh oooh oooh I do I do I do! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

VIDEO TAPE IT!!!

Had mine done today. My wife took it in, done in an hour, drives fine. They replaced the (what I would call) drag link. It's the bar that attaches between the two inner tie rod ends. I have replaced both of the inner tie rod ends myself, and each time I had to split the sleeves with a Dremel, and install new ones. Mine were siezed up.
Winkel

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060826/BIZ/608260325/1005/biz

Japan has launched a criminal investigation into three Toyota officials suspected of failing to do anything about a faulty steering part, which may have caused a 2004 accident that injured five people.

i finally had the recall done, and mailed all my documentation to toyota. then toyota mailed me a check that exceeded the cost of the relay rod i installed. i sent them a receipt with what i paid for the rod. maybe they refunded me the retail cost (which I didn't pay) or added some $ for my labor? either way, i was happy.

i know this thread is kinda outdated but i just want to comment on the toyota recall. i had mine recalled too but it was toooooooo longggggg before i had my money back. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

I just had mine done , it took almost 3 hours

I just bought my T1 last summer(2008) & wasn't aware of the recall. I immediatly took it to the trail, you know for initial 4x4 testing (lol), & found the truck had a very loud pop when the wheels were cut hard L or R. I took it back to my shop, jacked it up, & started checking the tie rods & ball joints. They all were new MOOG parts, but I found my steering stabilizer was busted & a sway bar link almost rusted in two. I replaced these w/ Rancho & Energy Suspension components, & hit the trail again. It still popped. So I was alittle confused then. Getting back home & checking my mail, I found a safty recall notice for my truck, for a "steering relay rod". I imediatly thought, "theres my popping noise". I hit my local dealership & they repaired it no questions asked or money out of pocket. The guys @ the dealer also told me this recall was a joke as far as they could see. They said they had yet to see one of these trucks with the problem that the recall warranted. So, I hit the trail again, & the pop remained. To make a long story alittle shorter, one of my wheelin' buddies -A1- told me to grease the wheel stops on my truck & it would'nt pop anymore. He was right, I greased them & it has'nt popped since. But about the recall, the new "steering relay rod" looks beefier than the old one, but I have noticed no difference, good or bad, in my truck.