Hi guys. I am having a problem with my steering wheel. It is about -4 down in toronto right now and everytime it gets cold my steering wheel makes funny noises when i try to take a turn. Even after the car has warmed up and everything it still does that. I checked the power steering fluid and everything looks well there i don't know whats the problem . Can someone help me.

 

im not sure what it's called but if you follow the steering shaft to the base of the floor.............theres a rubber gasket that rubs against the shaft. spray some wd40 in that area and it should cure the noise.

 

Agree with mojox20, that is where you will hear most of the noise. If you can get dirty and go underneath the vehicle or swing your hand around the airbox in the engine bay, you can also locate the steering rack and that also can give off some noise in cold weather (I experience it all the time here) and I have sprayed that with WD40 temporarily and then add some automotive grease into the area to help quiet it. With RX up on stilts, I should be able to get some good photos of the area today as I plan to check some seals and other things of interest today with my father and uncle.

 

You fail to mention where does the sound come from ... inside the cabin or from the engine compartment or from the rack (front .. below the engine). Do you get the sound when you are in process of turning the steering wheel, or even when you hold the wheel in (when the steering is not pointing straight). How does it sound when you turn and hold the wheel all the way to right or left.

Salim

 

Here are some pictures of the steering rack area in the engine bay.

 

Another lower a bit, notice part of the transfer case on the left, exhaust pipe below and rear exhaust mainfold in upper background.

 

Another one similar to the previous.

 

Mine makes a "rubbery groaning" noise from inside the cabin. Doesn't bother me that much. Only happens when cold. Anything I can do?

 

Most probably it is the cabin to engine bay feed through point ... Lexmex's picture show the view from the engine side (with things removed in the engine bay).

If it groans in cold days, you can ignore it. The problem with oils/grease is that they at times can interact with the rubber-like material. The only oil, I would suggest wold be the brake fluid. [keep in mind the brake fluid will eat the paint].

Salim

 

I wonder if silocone spray would work, I know it is compatable with most rubber seals...

 

How about silicone grease, as is used on spark plug boots? (sometimes called dielectric grease)

It's kind to rubber. When we bought our used RX300, the steering column seemed to be groaning when turned. They "lubricated the steering column." I suspect they put some kind of lubricant around that grommet.

 

hey guys sorry for the late response. Thanks for the great advices I am going to try the good old wd40 and see if it does anything. But the noise is coming from inside the cabin when i turn the wheel. I don't know if this helps :S

 

Is it from the area near steering wheel (this includes the area near turn-signal) or from near the floor/firewall)?

WD40 is a great product, but keep in mind it dislodges grease and may be bad for some rubber product (I am not sure that is why I said may be).

Salim

 

Look behind the brake pedal and you will see the steering post passing through a large rubber doughnut. Spray WD40 along the shaft and wola, noise no more on my 1999 RX300. Took 1 minute to rid myself of the moaning sound.