I have a 99 RX with 41000 miles and a strange noise has started to develop. The RX sits outside and when I first start it there is a whinning noise when you turn the steering wheel, this started to happen last year and I stopped at the dealer to see if this was a common problem and they lubricated some seal and the problem went away for awhile. It's back again and I really would like to get it fixed permanently, they said it was the seal that the steering column goes through the firewall. Any ideas????

 

I'd have it checked out again and ask them to do a perminent fix.

There are several common noises from power steering. If this noise only happens while the wheel is being turned (rotating) then the seal might be the actual problem. If it is a whine after the wheel is turned left or right and held there, it could be a loose belt, or low power steering fluid (but these things would have been easy for the service tech to find and fix so I would think they are not the problem here).

 

HOLY CRAP!

this just happened to my '99! it started yesterday around 9 pm and happend this morning too.

it really whined loud and i thought i ran over a cat or something.

i attributed it to the very cold weather (at 9pm it was 10 degrees).

the noise seems to go away after the temp of the cabin reaches my toasty 77. ill test it out again when i leave work today.

hummm. maybe i should have the dealer look at it. hope they wont say, "just wait for warmer weather."

cold weather really sux!

 

Just you drive belts. If you car still under 4 years/50k warranty just ask for the new belts, if not just try to tighten them up.