[tymber]

When it gets really cold, my steering wheel becomes very squeaky when turned. Anyone else experience this? Can anything be done about it? Horribly annoying!

2006 Sienna w/ ~117000km BTW.

Thanks,
Steve


EDIT: added descriptive word for clarification
BY: topspy/Mod-Squad

 

[topspy]

Re: Squeaky wheel

Sorry about your problem.

Just to clarify...
Actual steering wheel inside the passenger compartment, or the power steering pump/pulley/belt in the engine compartment, or one of the front wheels that support the car and make it turn??

YMMV.
Good Luck!! 8)

 

[tymber]

Re: Squeaky wheel

It really sounds like it is in the passenger compartment. For this reason, I believe it is the steering column.

Steve

 

[brian_bp]

Re: Squeaky wheel

There are presumably sliding contacts in the wheel assembly. Back in the olden days, there was nothing electric on the steering wheel other than the horn button, and it had a contact which slid as the wheel turned, sometimes squeaking. Now there's a whole control panel on there (air bag, cruise stalk, radio controls in some trim levels, who knows what in a Limited... and the horn), and it seems likely that at least some of them use sliding contacts... although I have not yet checked the technical manual.

 

[robo5]

Re: Squeaky wheel

Mine was making some loud noises 2 weeks ago when it was cold outside (-15C). Only did it for a couple of days. Since then it has warmed up and has not made the noise again. ???. Mine was coming from the steering wheel area. Not sure what needs to be lubed? or what is making my noise at this time. I will keep you posted on my findings when it gets cold again.

 

[ctom3]

I have the exact same problem. My '09 squeaks at the steering wheel/steering column when the temperature is somewhere below freezing. It sounds like a "rubber" squeak when I turn the wheel. The smoking gun is that it dies down and goes away as the van interior warms up with the heater. My guess is that there is rubber or wiring insulation inside the steering column pressing up against a moving part that stiffens with the cold. It is annoying, but it is not bad enough to troubleshoot since I live in an area that rarely sees freezing weather.

Sorry that I cannot provide a solution, but I can at least confirm that you are on the right track.

 

[rf06]

I'm from florida and never had the squeek, but drove up to NY in December 09, and on really cold days up there the squeek from the steering column was evident. it's gotta be rubber bushings drying out from the cold. I'm back in florida now and no squeek, just a cold weather thing I guess.

 

[LoveWagN]

My 02 has a slight high pitched squeak. I thought I have heard in the past that this type of sound had something to do with a clock spring??

 

[LoveWagN]

Ok, I looked into it this weekend. It sounded the exact same as a clockspring, and was doing a ventriloquist act. The sound appeared to be coming from the steering wheel, but after gettting it in the garage, I got on my knees outside the van, and turned the steering wheel while looking at the steering rack going into the floor. The sound was actually coming from there. I took the Lucas heavy duty synthetic grease I had and lubed it by hand. I also pressed some grease down into the rubber boot on the floor to make sure it wasnt contacting that (which may be your rubbery sound). Quiet as a mouse now. No sounds. I was also getting a clicking noise from my brake pedal. I saw 3 contact spots, where the brake pedal hits to activate different things. I lubed everything really well, and now there is no more sound there either. Everything is nice and quiet.

 

[94dlx]

There was a TSB on a related issue for a "popping" noise caused by poor lubrication of the steering column boot (inside the vehicle) as it rubbed against the metal steering column. My 2004 has had this problem for as long as I can remember (I wish I knew about the TSB before we lost coverage because of mileage ). We recently took a trip to Dallas and it was C-O-L-D!!! I noticed the "squeaking" noise immediately. It seems to get better when it warms up but I still hear it in mild weather.

I am guessing that a proper lubrication of the components may fix both types of noises.

 

[stubear334]

We experienced the same problems stated by Tymber. The dealer lubed the steering boot attached to the steering shaft. This cured the problem for about 3 years.

Stu

 

[Delphi51]

Thanks very much, LoveWagN!
Our 2004 just started squeaking. Nice to know just where to put the grease.

 

[jc]

I'm not sure if half of the posts are describing the squeaking noise due to cold weather. To stop this noise, spray the interior rubber boot with some silicone spray and it will go away. The boot is located above the gas pedal.

Regards, JC.