Car Repaired after Accident. Steering Wheel’s Vibration

Lhiver1986 on 22/08/2025 - 11:09
Last edited 22/08/2025 - 18:48 by 1 other user

Hi all, Happy Friday!

I just got my 2016 Camry back from repairer yesterday. Car was hit on the A-pillar area, driver side. The list of repair jobs is long, including axle steering, carrier joint, RF Strut, RF steering knuckle, wheel bearing, stabi rod, rod ball joint. All above parts are replaced with genuine, new from Toyota, according to the repairer.

During the travel to the office, I noticed the vibration on steering wheel when I stopped at traffic light (shifter still in D). I could also feel the vibration on the brake pedal from my foot. When driving, I feel it is normal, no vibration even though the steering is not as smooth as before the accident. I later checked and only feel the vibration when car in D and R. No vibration at all when in P or N.

I have raised this with my insurance and will bring the car back today to check but would love to know your opinions of what could have gone wrong.

Thank you so much.

UPDATE1:
I’m at the repairer now, the staff had a drive test with me, she agreed that there is vibration, and there is a noticeable difference between N and D gear but she said that it was normal. It’s the engine. When I said if it’s the engine, how come it doesn’t vibrate when I shift to N, and in both case the engine is running at the same RPM. She could not explain that and said they did not do anything with my engine or Idle. She said will talk with the mechanic and see what they can do.

UPDATE 2:
Repairer’s mechanic said it probably engine mount (wear and tear), given that the car was 9 year old and has travelled 115,000 kms. He said, the reason it doesn’t vibrate when in N or P is the transmission and engine are not engaged/connected, so the engine running without load, so the vibration is not transmitted to the steering. It sounds logic to me.

I called my insurance. They advised me to bring the car to another mechanic for inspection/diagnostic. If it’s engine mount wear and tear, I have to pay for the fix (which I’m happy to), if it’s caused by the accident, insurance will cover it.
My car is due for service, so I will do it tomorrow.

Automotive Car Toyota

Comments

  • MS Paint on 22/08/2025 - 11:37
    +7

    break pedal

    Classic ozbargain.

    I wonder if the engine/transmission mounts were also damaged in the accident.

    • jv on 22/08/2025 - 11:49

      Isn't the car unroadworthy if the pedal is broken ?

    • hiver1986 on 22/08/2025 - 12:43

      *Brake pedal
      Sorry for the confusion.

    • Murkymerv on 22/08/2025 - 13:52

      wonder if the engine/transmission mounts were also damaged in the accident.
      Probably bypassed , because the problem didn't present itself at the time . Or no care factor ⁉️

    • Gdsamp on 22/08/2025 - 18:20
      +1

      Advise sort

  • pegaxs on 22/08/2025 - 11:40
    +4

    2016 Camry? Punted in the A pillar area? With all that work? How was that not a write-off?

    break pedal

    Why wasn't the broken pedal replaced as part of the repairs?

    So, the problem is only in gear, at the lights when the vehicle is stopped?

    • MS Paint on 22/08/2025 - 11:43

      I'm guessing the actual A pillar was not compromised because that would definitely write off a 10yo Camry (or nearly any other car)

      • hiver1986 on 22/08/2025 - 12:46

        The impact was on the wheel, axle, FR bumper.
        No airbag was deployed.

    • hiver1986 on 22/08/2025 - 12:44

      Sorry, *brake pedal.

  • jv on 22/08/2025 - 11:47

    Steering Wheel’s Vibration

    Sounds good? No?

  • Stealtho on 22/08/2025 - 11:51
    -1

    Sell it to a boomer they love a camry

    • MS Paint on 22/08/2025 - 11:52
      +7

      So we are taking your car advise now are we?

      • mapax on 22/08/2025 - 14:53

        Dang, you got ‘em penalty boxed, well they did it to themselves but you know what I mean.

    • tenpercent on 22/08/2025 - 14:00

      Kangaroos don't buy cars, son.

      • mapax on 22/08/2025 - 19:47

        They write a lot of them off though…

  • brendanm on 22/08/2025 - 13:23
    +1

    Sounds like an engine mount.

  • DingoBilly on 22/08/2025 - 15:54

    Sounds like a wheel alignment issue.

    • cashless on 22/08/2025 - 16:15
      +4

      Would love to know how wheel alignment can affect a stationary car

  • jizmo on 22/08/2025 - 17:13

    Is this an electric power steering column? I'm reading there's a little plastic washer needs replacing that can cause your problem

  • Drakesy on 22/08/2025 - 17:20

    Sounds like you may have chassis damage, in which case nothing lines up anymore.

    I would've written it off personally.

  • aussieprepper on 22/08/2025 - 19:25
    -2

    Sounds like it could have damaged the gearbox? Get the gearbox oil checked for metal.

  • Mungulz on 24/08/2025 - 09:48

    Normally its the passenger side mount or the rear engine mount when you have this vibration. Passenger side tends to be all the time, rear would more likely be when under load/accelerating.

    If they were doing suspension work like that and had the subframe out, then they've had the mounts out. Depends if they put a new subframe in. If the subframe is bent or tweaked it could put strange pressure on the mount making it more noticeable. Definitely worth having a mechanical inspection done to see if they've missed anything during the repair.

    If it simply is a bad mount, it's a cheap fix.

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