Steering wheel squeak when turning....

[Glen_T]

I've searched the forum, and found one unresolved thread from a year ago, but no answers.

My sister has a Camry that has a squeak in the steering wheel occasionallly when you turn the wheel. She lives in another state, and so I'm only going by her description, but I'll be visiting soon.

She describes it as an intermittent squeak/groan when the wheel is turned. I think it may be plastic on plastic, but it is definitely coming from the area around the column (up by the combo switch and ignition switch area), not down by your feet, she says.

I'm not sure of the year, but it is in the 2001-2003 range, I believe.

Anyone have any ideas? I think this is just an annoyance thing, not a mechanical problem.

Thanks!
Glen

[kjshan]

I just bought a 2002 camry XLE. It has a steering wheel squeak as well. I did not notice when test driving. It mostly does it when turning far and slow, like backing out. and more so before the car has been driven a few miles. It steers fine, but the noise is annoying. What can I do?

[xfeejayx]

does it do it when you are in the process of turning the wheel, or when the wheel is already turned and the car is rolling?
I think my brother's es300 has the same problem if its when you are turning the wheel, its either 00 or 01.

[rimfire,22]

Originally Posted by Glen_T

I've searched the forum, and found one unresolved thread from a year ago, but no answers.

My sister has a Camry that has a squeak in the steering wheel occasionallly when you turn the wheel. She lives in another state, and so I'm only going by her description, but I'll be visiting soon.

She describes it as an intermittent squeak/groan when the wheel is turned. I think it may be plastic on plastic, but it is definitely coming from the area around the column (up by the combo switch and ignition switch area), not down by your feet, she says.

I'm not sure of the year, but it is in the 2001-2003 range, I believe.

Anyone have any ideas? I think this is just an annoyance thing, not a mechanical problem.

Thanks!
Glen

Glen,

My 89' Camry has done from day one but it doesn't bother me at all. If it does for her then a visit to the dealership will fix it.


rimfire,22

[epson810]

I fixed my problem by spraying WD-40 into the rubber boot on the fire wall where the steering wheel shaft goes into this rubber boot. Which is located in between the brake pedal and the gas pedal. Spray in between the shaft and the rubber boot and then take it for it for a short drive.

[mklmnade]

I have an '03 Camry with the same squeaking steering wheel. Unsure what to do to make it go away. Steers smoothly, just makes the noise especially when the car is cold and has just been started up. Has anyone tried anything that has actually worked on this problem?

[Brian R.]

Did you read the post immediately prior to yours?

[somick]

Originally Posted by mklmnade

I have an '03 Camry with the same squeaking steering wheel. Unsure what to do to make it go away. Steers smoothly, just makes the noise especially when the car is cold and has just been started up. Has anyone tried anything that has actually worked on this problem?

There is a TSB for this problem but I presume you are out of warranty by now. They replaced a middle part in the steering column in my car, but it was under 36000/3years deal.

Sam

[Cookiebaggs]

Originally Posted by epson810

I fixed my problem by spraying WD-40 into the rubber boot on the fire wall where the steering wheel shaft goes into this rubber boot. Which is located in between the brake pedal and the gas pedal. Spray in between the shaft and the rubber boot and then take it for it for a short drive.

This fixed the squeak for me! Thanks.

[arunvis]

Thanks epson810. "Spraying WD-40 into the rubber boot on the fire wall where the steering wheel shaft goes into this rubber boot" - fixed the issue on my Camry 2001!

[bvastag]

I sprayed the boot and steering wheel shaft last night on my 1999 Toyota Camry XLE with WD-40. This morning when I drove to work my squeak was gone! I also saw a video on YouTube where the person sprayed lithium grease on the boot. Thanks for having this information on this forum. Much cheaper than taking the car to the dealer!

[harkauto]

Originally Posted by bvastag

I sprayed the boot and steering wheel shaft last night on my 1999 Toyota Camry XLE with WD-40. This morning when I drove to work my squeak was gone! I also saw a video on YouTube where the person sprayed lithium grease on the boot. Thanks for having this information on this forum. Much cheaper than taking the car to the dealer!

My 99' Camry did this for a long time and it steadilly got worse to the point where it was driving me nuts.
I finally took my can of Lithium motorcycle chain lube and sprayed it at the point where the steering wheel shaft enters the firewall from inside the engine compartment. You will see and indent in the firewall where the shaft enters the firewall. Fortunatley the can of chain lube is small, but it is still kind of tricky to maneuver it down through components to aim the spray tube and push the button on the can at the same time but it can be done.
I have tried WD-40, Silicone spray, and the chain lube and they all work pretty well, but you will find that you will need to continue to spay periodically when the squeek re-appears.