I have a 2000 TL with 112k on it and lately this winter it has been squeaking a little bit whenever I turn the steering wheel. My power steering fluid is fine too. I new tires about 1200 miles ago, but I doubt that has anything to do with it. Sometimes after a few miles it goes away. Can anyone give me any pointers? Thanx!

 

Is the power steering belt a likely suspect here? If so, how can I go about checking it?

 

bump

 

Mine squeeks a little, but it is definately coming fromt the wheel inside the car. I am not worried about it at all. Sounds like yours is under the hood

 

Where is it squeeking? in the car or in the engine compartment?

 

the squeak itself is very audible from the inside, but much quieter when I checked under the hood, so I thought it may be in the column itself, but when I check outside under the hood, it seems almost as if it is coming from the passenger side wheel...is that where the power steering belt is?

SC2.2CL, is yours a faint squeak from the column area? I notice you're in cali, so cold weather prolly isn't a factor for you, I thought mine may have been due to weather since it just started happening a few days ago...

fsstyms, you seem to be very well versed in the technical aspects of vehicular problems...you think you could list a couple of the possibilities so I can go and check it out myself? so far, I've been told to check my fluid, which is full, and check my power steering belt to see if its too loose...which I can't find...anything else?

 

also, do you know if it's gonna be an expensive problem if i let it go too long?

 

Well you should be able to tell the difference between something inside the car and the PS belt, Also the PS belt should be heard more outside than in. If you just turn the wheel like a few inches and back to senter do you hear it or do you really need to turn the wheel? if you turn the wheel ALL the way and hold it tight do you get any squeeling? You say it goes away after warming up?
Does it sound like something rubbing on rubber? LIke where teh steering goes thru the Firewall?

 

Fsttyms1,
Would this indicate something with the universal joint? Unless I am not thinking correctly, this is the only part going thru the firewall that separates the column from the rack.

 

fsstyms: I only need to turn it a few inches to start squeaking. I checked it and it is coming from the passenger side ball joint area right around where the joint itself is covered. It doesn't really go away after warming up, I think that sometimes driving it around makes it a little louder than normal, so the squeaking is not as audible. It only squeaks too while turning, not while moving along. Also if it is the ball joint, how easy would it be to open itup and grease it?

 

If it is the balljoint you will have to separate the balljoint/knuckle from the lower control arm, and then remove the circlip that secures the balljoint boot. Our boots are non-greasable, meaning to lube the joint you will literally have to remove the boot.

 

also check your inner tie rod. They will start squeaking when they are bad, I have the problem with my 99TL replace them and the sound goes away

 

Thanx for all the advice everyone! Any and all is greatly apreciated!!! pdprich, do you or anyone else here think you could give me a brief description of how to get to the tie rod and check it? How expensive are they, and is it a DIY job?

 

Does this mean I shouldn't be trying to grease up the joint?

 

Today was the first day it's been rather warm for awhile here, and the squeaking sound went away for the most part. Any ideas which part the weather could be affecting?

 

I am still believing it is either something within the steering wheel (i.e. SRS cable reel), or possibly the u-joint at the end of the steering column. Please get back with us if you ever find out the culprit, and likewise I will do the same.

 

Well, I ended up taking it in to a local mech but the noise stopped that morning before I could bring it in for him to hear. And it's been gone since...I have no freakin clue...only think that I notice has been different is that the weather has been a little warmer..

 

Yeah the symptom is definitely weather related. I am still putting my bet on the SRS cable reel inside the steering wheel. Good news is that outside of the noise, there are no negative effects.