Mechanics learn repair on recalled Toyota accelerators

Toyota mechanics from Long Island were at Suffolk County Community College in Selden Thursday learning how to repair the sticky accelerator pedals of cars and SUVs that are among the 2.3 million being recalled by the automaker.

The training took about two hours, and some dealerships began performing the repairs Thursday, said Brian Schneck, president of United Auto Workers Union Local 259, which represents many of the technicians.

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Toyota has said the repair involves installation of a postage-stamp-size stainless-steel reinforcement bar, or spacer, to slightly increase the distance between two parts in the accelerator assembly that are intended to slide against each other with some resistance to make the pedal "feel" steady and stable to the driver. Toyota said the parts are prone to sticking to each other due to excess moisture causing excessive friction.

"Our members have been trained," Schneck said. "They possess the shims and the guys are energized and can't wait to start helping consumers."

Toyota spokesman John Hanson has said that, once they know their dealers have the parts and procedures, consumers do not have to wait until they receive their recall notices to make an appointment to get their cars repaired.

Toyota had announced plans on Jan. 21 to recall the vehicles, which include most 2007 through 2010 Camrys and all 2009 through 2010 Corollas made in North America. On Jan. 26, under pressure from federal safety regulators, it decided to halt sales of the vehicles and to shut down the U.S. assembly lines producing them. Production is scheduled to resume Monday with repair parts or new accelerator assemblies.

Hanson said many dealers are extending service department hours to accommodate customers. He said Toyota is providing financial assistance for dealers for those extra costs and any other incurred in satisfying customers, which the AP said was up to $75,000 per dealer. Hanson could not confirm that figure.

Leo Sternlicht, a co-owner of Riverhead Toyota, said his technicians were trained Thursday in how to remove the accelerator assembly and slip the new part in, and they were to begin Friday. Toyota has said the procedure should take about 30 minutes.Sternlicht said he hasn't seen the need yet to extend service hours. "We've been calling customers to see when they want to come in," he said. "At this point we don't have them bunched together so much that it's necessary, but if becomes necessary, we will extend our hours." Other Toyota dealers on Long Island did not reply to calls seeking information about their installation plans.

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