Steering wheel whine
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 335
Likes: 14
From: Fort Wayne Indiana
Steering wheel whine
I found another topic posted 6 months ago in the tech section but no one answered the problem back then so i wanted to give it another shot since i'm experiencing the same problem. I have a noticable whine coming from inside the steering column when turning right or left. this noise is not related to the pump and cannot be heard outside of the cabin...but is annoying as all get out if the radio isnt turned up. The car has already had the column lock checked out and just sounds like a rubber or plastic bushing rubbing. i wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this problem and found a fix. i hesitate taking it to the dealer just to have them shoot a grease gun inside and charge me $100bucks. however, im even more hesitant when dealing with airbags!
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 9
From: Charlotte, NC
Have you checked the power steering fluid reservoir?
My wife's old Maxima used to do this when it would get low on fluid. It had a leaky reservoir that we had to refill every few months. It wasn't worth the cost to replace it.
My wife's old Maxima used to do this when it would get low on fluid. It had a leaky reservoir that we had to refill every few months. It wasn't worth the cost to replace it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 980
Likes: 18
From: Columbia, SC
I feel ya brotha... Mine does the same thing. I clicked on this hoping you would have the fix.... It's gotta be something in the column, and you're right, it's annoying as all hell. Especially when all your passengers ask what that noise is.
I found another topic posted 6 months ago in the tech section but no one answered the problem back then so i wanted to give it another shot since i'm experiencing the same problem. I have a noticable whine coming from inside the steering column when turning right or left. this noise is not related to the pump and cannot be heard outside of the cabin...but is annoying as all get out if the radio isnt turned up. The car has already had the column lock checked out and just sounds like a rubber or plastic bushing rubbing. i wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this problem and found a fix. i hesitate taking it to the dealer just to have them shoot a grease gun inside and charge me $100bucks. however, im even more hesitant when dealing with airbags!
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 5
From: Stark County Ohio
I found another topic posted 6 months ago in the tech section but no one answered the problem back then so i wanted to give it another shot since i'm experiencing the same problem. I have a noticable whine coming from inside the steering column when turning right or left. this noise is not related to the pump and cannot be heard outside of the cabin...but is annoying as all get out if the radio isnt turned up. The car has already had the column lock checked out and just sounds like a rubber or plastic bushing rubbing. i wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this problem and found a fix. i hesitate taking it to the dealer just to have them shoot a grease gun inside and charge me $100bucks. however, im even more hesitant when dealing with airbags!
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
My Buick makes a slight noise like you describe and the sound is coming from the wire spool.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 335
Likes: 14
From: Fort Wayne Indiana
well at least i know im not the only one with this problem. i noticed it when i bought the car and almost backed out of the deal because i didnt know what the heck it could be. i've driven the car a thousand miles or so and still no problem so im really glad i didnt back out.
i've checked the steering fluid and it all looks fine. im fairly certain its nothing problamatic, but i dont want to cringe everytime i turn the wheel.
i've checked the steering fluid and it all looks fine. im fairly certain its nothing problamatic, but i dont want to cringe everytime i turn the wheel.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 756
Likes: 5
From: Griffin Ga.
Mine did that for sometime. I thought it was inside but found that it really came from the column under the hood. Sprayed some lubricate and it stopped. I would have sworn that it was inside as well. I think there is a tech note on this but was not able to locate right off. Maybe someone will chime in with it.
B.
B.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 756
Likes: 5
From: Griffin Ga.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 335
Likes: 14
From: Fort Wayne Indiana
Thanks for the link, i cant access that other forum here at work for some reason but will check it out tonight. So this really solves the problem huh? i've been dreading that dealer visit so i really hope i can get this done. i just installed headers so i already feel like i've crawled through that firewall before. I'll let you know if it helps!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 16,825
Likes: 0
From: One Particular Harbour
Cruise-In 9-10-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10,-'13
I believe in the Beer Fairy
hey...until this thread I forgot I have this problem. It's amazing what you can ignore with the radio up and the top off. 
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Camp Hill PA
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 333
Likes: 3
From: Sacramento California
Mine was doing the same thing, it turned out to be the steering shaft where it passed through firewall. It was rubbing against the rubber grommet, it's not easy to get at, I had to insert two drinking straws together and then insert the WD-40 straw inside them to get the lube to get back in the tight spot. But in the end no more whine, which was getting very annoying.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 333
Likes: 3
From: Sacramento California
Just get a flashlight and find where the steering shaft passes through the firewall and you will see where it's rubbing against the rubber grommet. You may need to get someone to sit in the car and turn the wheel in small movements back and forth, you don't to start the car, you want to be able to hear the noise.