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Squeaking steering column? Here's my $3 solution

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Old May 31, 2008 | 05:10 PM
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Default Squeaking steering column? Here's my $3 solution

I'm just writing this up b/c when your date complains about how bad your steering squeaks every time you put in/take out your key, it's bad. I couldn't find a DIY so I did it myself and thought i'd contribute since our cars are getting 10 years old.

Please fix your car at your own risk!

1. go get some general purpose grease from Autozone or wherever. I got a big can for $3 and it says it's used by many Japanese cars...so I figured,

2. take off the 3 bolts thats holding the steering column cover. If you don't know where it's located or how to, just looking around the steering column. two are behind the steering wheel and you will have to turn it to get to it. Lightly take apart the bottom and top cover.

3. start greasing!!
and I recommend some plastic gloves also (like those 100pack for 5bucks one).


the red circle is one of the culprits


close up. grease around it.

Now, get underneath your steering column...and you should see this.

see that small metal part in the middle of the pic?
here's the close up of that middle metal part. grease where it's circled red.





real close up

Now, you're gonna have to "pack" the grease and tilt up/down as you grease to get the grease around that shaft. Do so until the sound goes away.


the finished product, tada
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Old May 31, 2008 | 06:44 PM
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Nice this should go into the diy thread
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Old May 31, 2008 | 06:46 PM
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How do you make that video play?
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Old May 31, 2008 | 09:50 PM
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nice! I took my car to the dealership a week ago and complaint about my steering wheel making a weird noise (about two times in 3 months), so I left it there (still under warranty) and two days later they tell me that the steering colum should be coming in the next day. I was like, damn!!! They replace the whole steering colum just because that minor sound. Oh well, I'm just glad I didn't have to pay for it. LOL
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 12:56 AM
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Originally Posted by JDMCelsior
nice! I took my car to the dealership a week ago and complaint about my steering wheel making a weird noise (about two times in 3 months), so I left it there (still under warranty) and two days later they tell me that the steering colum should be coming in the next day. I was like, damn!!! They replace the whole steering colum just because that minor sound. Oh well, I'm just glad I didn't have to pay for it. LOL

nice when you still have your factory warranty left.
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 12:58 AM
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the finished product, tada [/QUOTE]


In the video(above) is that what it is supposed to sound like with NO squeak?????please let me know
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 08:29 AM
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Originally Posted by phillygs3
Nice this should go into the diy thread
thanks

Originally Posted by kenkaniff
How do you make that video play?
click the image? i think...

Originally Posted by JDMCelsior
nice! I took my car to the dealership a week ago and complaint about my steering wheel making a weird noise (about two times in 3 months), so I left it there (still under warranty) and two days later they tell me that the steering colum should be coming in the next day. I was like, damn!!! They replace the whole steering colum just because that minor sound. Oh well, I'm just glad I didn't have to pay for it. LOL
must be nice to have the warranty left...the whole steering column assy?

Originally Posted by Lettuce
In the video(above) is that what it is supposed to sound like with NO squeak?????please let me know
yeah, its supposed to sound w/o squeak but it was right after I put everything back together so its still kinda squeaky...it sounds brand new now with minimal motor noise.
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 09:07 AM
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Great write up with pictures.


Mine squeeked twice over the past month, if it continues I'll know what to do.

Excellent way of prolonging the electric motor life with a easy lube!!
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 12:28 PM
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Mine only squeaks when its hot outside and its hot inside the car.. other than that, it never does.
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 03:00 PM
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I went to the automotive store today and looked for grease, great, they've got so many different greases... which one did you use?
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by PetesLS400
Great write up with pictures.


Mine squeeked twice over the past month, if it continues I'll know what to do.

Excellent way of prolonging the electric motor life with a easy lube!!
just dont wait too long till it squeeks everytime like i did

Originally Posted by Downfall75
Mine only squeaks when its hot outside and its hot inside the car.. other than that, it never does.
weird...mine was the opposite. usually did better when it was warmer and horrible in the cold.

Originally Posted by Solo_D33A
I went to the automotive store today and looked for grease, great, they've got so many different greases... which one did you use?
It's just "general purpose grease". there were a lot but grease is grease...right?
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Old Jun 2, 2008 | 08:14 AM
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I used the white lithium grease, got the job done Mine used to squeak like crazy on hot days too... not anymore!
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 05:43 PM
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I just sat in my buddy's 02 GS430 and his steering wheel tilt motor is quiet.

So I did that DIY, and greased all the pivot points but I'm still not satisfied. Mine sounds like coco-buns motor, its not loud, but I'm sure there is a way to get it a little more quiet. Is there like an updated motor out for the steering column ?

BTW: I drive a 98 GS300.
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 06:36 PM
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Cocobun what kinda stereo is that?
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 09:27 PM
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thanks for that DIY it will come in handy i am sure!
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