Squeaky Steering Wheel Problem (Pics and video)
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 180
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
Great pics. If noise comes back sooner than you'd like, try a silicon based lubricant instead of wd40.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=200425
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=186844
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=164844
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=200425
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=186844
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=164844
Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: California
I don't really know much about how steering works on a car...but do you think changing the power steering fluid would do anything to resolve the problem? (I'm getting kind of irritated by the noise.)
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,331
Likes: 210
From: Miami, Florida
That's a good point on the fluid. I have always noticed in all cars I have done maintenance on that the power steering is better after a fluid change. I have used Mobil 1 ATF for the past few years and no complaints.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Wisconsin
Avoid WD40 as lubrication
WD40 works great at first because it's a great cleaner, but it's more of a solvent than a lubricant...your squeak may come back even worse later. I had the same problem with my '99 RX300 as well my Honda Accord (especially in cold weather)...I used lithium grease in the stearing column...first I tried using the spray kind, but that didn't work. So I bought a tube of white lithium grease and applied it generously with a fine 1/4" paintbrush around anywhere metal and/or plastic were rubbing. The sound has never returned.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: MI
well, went out and after taking the steering wheel apart, I couldn't find anything wrong and the sound seemed to come from under the car and it was transferring into the steering wheel. SO, I put it back together and went under the car. WD-40'ed the entire steering linkage, then the inside of the steering column and finally took the access cover off and sprayed in there as well. Magically, the noise is gone. I'll see for how long.
You have to reach behind the K-member to spray the linkage. I couldn't tell you which of these fixed the noise, but it won't hurt to lube it all anyhow.
You have to reach behind the K-member to spray the linkage. I couldn't tell you which of these fixed the noise, but it won't hurt to lube it all anyhow.
I took that piece off and the rest of the plastic around there and sprayed A LOT of wd-40 and it finally left. It didn't leave at first but I kept turning it back and forth and now its finally gone. Thanks for the help. I sprayed the bottom where it goes through the firewall and the place in your picture so one of the two places solved the problem. I didn't get under the car so it was definatly inside.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: MA
Same issue on my 99es300 here, but my girlfriend thinks its cute. I'll have to try the white lithium grease method - I know I've got some laying around. So it goes on the portion of the steering linkage inside the cabin right before the firewall?
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: NY
I have the same problem on my 02 with only 32500miles...It's definitely not loud enough to worry about though. If it gets louder I will also go the white lithium grease method....any harm to just leaving it?
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
My steering wheel sounds EXACTLY like the video. Thanks for posting this, as it has been driving me nuts! Based on the posts, I get the impression I should start by taking off the access cover (the rectangular piece just under the steering wheel) and liberally spraying silicone (as opposed to WD-40). Does this seem accurate? Is there anything that I shouldn't spray in there? Or anything that I should focus on in particular? (I just hate to learn the hard way!) THANKS.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 170
Likes: 1
From: FLORIDA
Just don't spray too forward towards the airbag, concentrate on the moving/rotating parts closer to the back of the steering wheel and linkage. I don't' think you'll hurt anything, at least I didn't and the noise is not back yet.