Hello fellow lexus owners. I just purchased my first lexus, a 2002 es300. the car is 6 or 7 years old so there are a couple of problems i've noticed. The most annoying problem is that my steering wheel squeaks pretty loud when i turn the steering wheel. i have sprayed the steering column with WD40 and it makes no difference. My power steering is fine, the fluid is new. It is just very annoying and I cant seem to figure it out.

the other problem I have is that the engine squeals very loud for about the first minute that i turn on my AC. if I turn off the AC, the noise ceases immediately. I believe this is a belt, maybe my drive belt?? Is this something I can replace myself, or should I bring it in? Does anyone know about how much that would cost?

I read that some ls400 and 460 models had pulleys on the drive v-belt that were made with foreign materials, and there was a recall. could this be the problem for my car?

I have never worked on a lexus before and I am apprehensive about doing anything to it myself.

thanks for any advice
LexOfMiami

 

Adjust or replace your A/C belt, Very easy, Shouldnt take more than a half hour, Depending on your mechanical ability.

Did you spray the rubber boot under the dash where the steering shaft goes through the firewall? Spray it good with white lithium grease.

 

Is the A/C belt the same thing as a drive belt? I called lexus parts and service and told them my problem and he said it was a drive belt. I better get the repair manual and look for myself.

Isit going to cause any problems if i don't replace it immediately? Does that belt drive anything besides my A/C?

 

I started having a similar problem yesterday. It started gradually getting louder through out the day. There is a loud squeaking noise every time i turn. It seems like it is coming from the front end of the car. I have no idea what it is.

 

I've had the same problem on my 99. Been happening since I bought it, can tell it is coming from the steering column, almost sounds like a cat meowing. At first it was driving me crazy, but honestly I don't even notice it anymore

 

YES!! the cat meowing noise... i've gotten used to it. except its when i turn the steering wheel more than once [full rotation] both ways...

Oh well... i wish there was a fix! :P

 

Have this same issue on my 2003 ES300 Anyone find a fix? I don't want to just live with it.