I have a 98 ES300 that has a funny squeaking sound everytime I turn the steering wheel.
I have removed a steering wheel from an older Toyota before but I have no experience with removing one with an air bag.
Does anyone know how to do this?
Or better yet, can I somehow stop the squeeking without removing the steering wheel?

Thanks

 

I would first check the level of the power steering fluid under the hood and see if it's at the right level. Low fluid usually yields the squeaking of the steering wheel. The other possibility is extreme cold weather (like near freezing temps), but that mostly happens first thing in the morning.

 

Where is the noise coming from? Inside the car or around the engine area.

If it's coming from inside of the car. You can try to spray WD40 around the steering boot where the steering shaft goes through the firewall. If you look down by the brake pedal and follow the steering shaft, you will see the rubber boot. Spray some of the WD40 around the steering shaft and the rubber boot while turning the steering wheel. Good luck.

 

I'll second that. I ended up spraying the shaft and boot on my fathers highlander with good old WD40 to prevent squeaking. It hasn't bothered him recently. They symptoms were IDENTICAL. Next time though, I might try one of those synthetic fancy lubricants that 'bond' better.

 

The noise is coming from inside the car. From what I can tell, it is close to the steering/dash area. I will listen closely over the weekend and try the WD40. Hope it works.

 

did this work?

 

I have the same problem with my 98!!! Weird! It doesn't bother me too much, though, because I usually can't hear it over the radio. I'd like to fix it, especially if it is easy to take care of.

 

did this work for you?? I thought mine was just doing it because of the cold but it' still doe sit even in warm temps. It sounds like its the wheel itself rubbing against the steering column.

 

WHOOPS!

I forgot! I had family over and didn't have a chance.
Will do it this week and get back to everyone.

 

It did not work guys.
At least for me. Maybe it will work on your cars.
Guess I have to take my car to the dealer.

 

Thats sucks! My father still hasn't complained about his highlander so it appears to have resolved his issue. Please let us all know what the mechanic says....and Good Luck with tracking it down.

 

OceanView...any update on this? I'm wondering what the dealer had to say about this....

 

FWIW my RX steering column made a light-raspy noise the other day repeatedly that I had never heard before (hadn't seen this thread either!) It was in the column somewhere . ....

 

I've seen a few RX makes those light clicking noise and it turned to be the spiral cable( for the air bag) in the steering column. Your dealer know if you ask them to check the spiral cable.

 

VVT-i, I'll check that; it is sporadic, I hate to have them go in there but I don't want to here that scraping sound all the time if it continues more, especially after warranty period, tks much.