When I turn the steering wheel, it squeaks a bit (not super loud or super high-pitched). But only if I haven't driven the car for hours (particularly first thing in the morning; but it wasn't especially cold outside when it started), and only for 5 or 10 seconds. Started about a week ago; only today figured out what to do to replicate. My mechanic said on the phone that this was odd, that the Prius' steering is electric not a belt. Said to leave it overnight so he could replicate in the morning. I can't imagine this being related to the Front Brake pad replacement my mechanic did last month. So I'm thinking I'll take this opportunity to take it to Art's for the first time. Any advice please, experts?
(Since no experts have chimed in, I'll give it a shot.) It could be a lower ball joint or an upper strut support, or tie rod end though I've never heard those squeak. Better get it checked out--that's no fun if something breaks in that area. If the steering is otherwise tight and straight, it hasn't gotten bad yet, but a noise is the first symptom and should not be ignored. Check the control arm bushings, too. None of that stuff is very expensive, and any front end shop can do that and align it. It sounds like OEM parts are advised for the front end. Better hope it's not the steering assist motor, they're about a grand from Toyota. It looks like some salvage parts are available on eBay in the $50 range.
Today I found it's NOT the steering, but mere motion of the wheels forward or backwards, that generates the squeak. And it's lasting a couple minutes now. So I posted in the link in the above post since I suspect it may be related to the Front Brake pad replacement my mechanic did last month.
Thank you very much Andrew for the reply. I'm relieved to say that it appears I posted almost simultaneously (we posted just 3 minutes apart, maybe even typed at the same time) that it turns out I was wrong, it wasn't the steering, but mere motion forward/backwards!
Brake job and suspension components post #2 mentioned. When were the front strut mounts last replaced, if ever? Add engine water pump belt as something to eliminate.
AFAIK, the front strut mounts have never been replaced. Thank you very much for your reply, exstudent!
