I have a 2001 Prius. Runs fine overall, but has an occasional squeaking noise that seems to come from around the steering column. It's a fairly low sound, almost like the sound cartoons would have for an extra-large rubber band being stretched. It's not continuous; I can't say for sure, but it seems to be maybe slightly more often present when I've been running in electric-only mode a lot. Anyway, I had it in at the dealer. Best they could come up with was "we think it's coming from the steering rack", but that it's nothing to worry about. So, I wanted to tap the collective wisdom here. Any thoughts? It's merely annoying, and only intermittently at that.
my 2001 prius is making the same noise, its annoying, and mine started out like yours, occasioanlly get the noise, now it happens all the time when i make turns at low speeds, i also have another 2001 prius i bought salvage with higher mileage then the one i presently drive and i beileive that had a power steering recall, and on the other prius no noise at all.. im about to ttake it to the dealer for htis issue <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(abeagler @ Sep 28 2006, 08:48 PM) [snapback]325335[/snapback]</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(statultra @ Sep 30 2006, 11:15 PM) [snapback]326321[/snapback]</div> Please let me know if they tell you anything of use. My dealer had no idea what the actual cause could be, and the best they could do was "if you want to we can change the steering rack for $1700". Not appealing. It actually seems a little worse since it came back from the dealer than it was for months before. Hmmm. The only thing they tried was replacing a boot on the steering column they said had a tear, but that did nothing. Colin
Further update - their best guess was that the steering rack would need replaced to get rid of the noise; however, they couldn't tell me why that would help, nor what they thought the actual problem was. Noise is still worse since back from the dealer, though, including a creaking noise on harder acceleration from stops.
get some WD-40 and squirt a couple jets under that boot. if it's anything like the camry/avalon problem that sounds very much like what you describe, there should be a round boot with a big clamp around it and the steering shaft coming through. squirt some WD-40 in there and see if it decreases the noise. DH can take a look at one tomorrow more closely.
I have this same creaking sound on my 2002 prius while making low speed turns and would like to know if anybody knows what the reason for the sound is? Thanks
I had a steering sound that was intermittent and only happened when turning the wheel. Turned out to be the steering motor which was replaced. To me it sounded like the motor had loose windings that were vibrating when energized. Anyway, It's gone now.
I'm terribly sorry to resurrect this old post, but I'm experiencing this same problem right now. Had anyone tried the WD-40 solution? Seems like a promising alternative to having the vehicle worked on. Thanks!
The WD-40 approach is promising. Trace the noise source, it's probably caused by friction between parts.
Cool! I actually traced it to a squeak underneath the driver's seat haha. I'll remember the WD-40 for the steering wheel though!
