Creaking Steering Wheel

[nc-grayson]

Greetings,

Developed a minorly annoying creak/groan/t-rex yawn in my steering wheel during minor turns at slow speeds. think parking lots and driveways.

I've searched around and seen some threads that give a handful of options that all logically make sense to me. Curious though.....with all of the lbj/steering rack/cv/etc suggestions in my search, if one of those were to blame would I actually be able to audibly hear the noise in the steering wheel?

I'm confident that the source of the noise is coming from the steering wheel inside the cabin. I guess it makes sense that any of the steering/front end parts that might be causing this could conceivably transmit audible noise up the steering shaft....but I guess I'm still kinda unsure if that's actually the case.

Backstory: OEM LBJ's 11k ago, steering rack is leaking from both inner boots, it's on the to do list for the May maintenance budget. ITRE & OTRE are oem with 175k, but will be replaced with the steering rack next month. And finally inner CV boots tore 4k ago about 6 miles after my S.S 1.2 install. I'm taking a break from rebooting these as I type with OEM boot kits.

So Im aware that I have a few items that could contribute, i'm just skeptical that I could hear so much so audibly from the steering wheel itself.

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[kolelt]

I just got a OEM rack and pinion for under $600.

Isn't there a rubber bushing that's between the rack and pinion and the steering shaft ? Maybe that's worn out ?

 

[Mscomeau]

Steering wheel creak

I believe I have the same issue developed. I was just curious if you ever found the culprit that was causing that noise??

 

[jgue467]

My 03 camry had the same 'creek' in the steering wheel area. My son put some wd40 on all the connection points visible between the point where the shaft goes into the firewall and as far up as he could. Stopped that noise instantly and that was a couple years ago now. I'd try something like that before throwing money on parts at it. Luck. :cowboy:

 

[Trojan4x4]

I've had a similar problem ... But I could hear it more outside rather than inside. The creak would only happen at certain speeds and angle. Replaced my steering rack bushings with poly and it all went away!

 

[Mscomeau]

Pretty sure I narrowed it down to the lower steering shaft u-joints binding. I got down there and removed the covers and put a stethoscope on the joints and it’s really loud there. Tried to grease everything up real good didn’t work. So I unbolted those 4 bolts connecting the upper shaft to the lower right inside the firewall and turned the wheel noise was gone. So idk if releasing pressure stopped it or if it truly is those lower joints. I have a 1” body lift and a 1” steering shaft spacer in there. Maybe it’s putting too much pressure on the shaft..

 

[GoBucks!]

I'm getting the same creaking in a 4th gen. It's definitely coming from inside the cabin at the pivot point of the steering wheel. Wondering where I can/should shoot some silicone lubricant into to quiet it down.

 

[RodrickHeffley]

I'm getting the same creaking in a 4th gen. It's definitely coming from inside the cabin at the pivot point of the steering wheel. Wondering where I can/should shoot some silicone lubricant into to quiet it down.

this is the third gen forum, you're better asking in the 4th gen one.