About a couple weeks ago, I started noticing this subtle but loud enough to be annoying crackling noise inside the steering rack. I found it to be more noticeable when i'm going uphill and the noise can be comparable to broken plastic pieces bouncing around inside the steering wheel. Can anyone chime in on what could be wrong? I've searched online about it but it doesn't seem like anyone has any solutions. I want to avoid taking it in to the dealership since my car is so low and i'm almost positive they'll mess up my car just trying to get it up on the racks.

 

I could be a plastic clip that has came loose. I heard a similar sound before and when I took out the pieces under the steering column to install a remote start, I found this just sitting there on top of a curved piece of metal. I put it back to where it should be and the noise is gone.

 

Interesting, thanks for the advice! But, how do I go about taking off my steering column? Is there an online guide somewhere?

 

Is the sound coming from directly behind the wheel or further down, like under the dash? Perhaps a clock spring if directly behind the wheel.

 

I can't exactly pin point it but its somewhere between the dash and steering wheel. I'm positive its something that came loose because it gets louder on bumpy roads and especially when i'm going up hill.

 

The noise from me sounds like inside the steering column, but I found the clip slightly under the steering column in the panels. From this thread here, there are some pics on removing part of the driver side: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ory-alarm.html

After than, you need to remove the lower 3 panels under the steering column. I found the clip on the last panel -- but you might not find the same. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...006-is350.html
Drivers side
lower panel, two phillips screws
Knee airbag...let it hang, DON'T unplug it. Unbolt 10mm
Next panel up, pull it! Disconnect all plugs

Edit: oh if you're still under warranty, just let the dealer look at it.