2001 Prius Steering Squeak

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by nitewolfgtr, Apr 23, 2007.

  1. nitewolfgtr

    nitewolfgtr Junior Member

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    I have a 2001 Toyota Prius and the steering squeaks.
    It only happens during low speed and when I turn to the left or right all the way. sometimes it happens when I turn to the left also in a sharp angle.

    I checked with Toyota and my car doesnt have any pending recalls...
    Any ideas?
    Thanks,
     
    #1 nitewolfgtr, Apr 23, 2007
  2. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    Confirm that the disk brakes are clean and happy.

    Confirm that the CV boots are undamaged. This is likely unrelated, but everybody ought to check their CV boots on any front wheel drive car.

    If this is a very small squeak that seems to be from the steering column, I'd call it ignorable. My 2001 Prius has one.

    If ever the steering wheel shakes dramatically in your hands, it is an unwelcome thing that we will need to discuss further.

    What says the odometer, nite, and have you purchased an extended warranty?

    You have not installed tires wider than 185 mm, I presume.
     
    #2 tochatihu, Apr 23, 2007
  3. nitewolfgtr

    nitewolfgtr Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tochatihu @ Apr 23 2007, 01:08 PM) [snapback]428471[/snapback]</div>
    Disk brakes should be clean because I just purchased it last saturday and they turned the front rotors.
    It is definitely a small squeak that I think its from the steering column and sounds like it needs lubrication but I'm not sure.

    I called toyota regarding the steering recall and they said nothing shows up for my VIN # so I wasnt affected by the recall. The steering feels very secure.

    I have 77260 miles on it.
    Thanks
     
    #3 nitewolfgtr, Apr 23, 2007
  4. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    Not sure if this would apply to our cars, but I've had upper strut bearings that have failed, yielding a squeaking sound from under the wheel wells when turning the wheel.
     
    #4 HTMLSpinnr, Apr 23, 2007
  5. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    Clarify: does the steering system squeak as you *turn* the wheel,
    or does a sqeaking / other noise emerge when you're in a hard turn
    [steering wheel held still] and the car is rolling?
    .
    There's a known issue with the CV boots sort of squirming against
    each other, but from what I've been able to determine it's just
    harmless rubber-on-rubber friction that doesn't happen very often.
    .
    _H*
     
    #5 hobbit, Apr 24, 2007
  6. nitewolfgtr

    nitewolfgtr Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Apr 23 2007, 11:21 PM) [snapback]428843[/snapback]</div>
    I only hear it during low speed and the steering has to be turned fairly sharp such as parking in a parking lot. The squeak is not loud either but noticable.
     
    #6 nitewolfgtr, Apr 24, 2007
  7. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    I guess I have that also. Barely audible in this 2001 Prius; I don't remember hearing it before the steering rack was replaced.
     
    #7 tochatihu, Apr 24, 2007
  8. nitewolfgtr

    nitewolfgtr Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tochatihu @ Apr 24 2007, 08:35 AM) [snapback]428943[/snapback]</div>
    I took my car back to where I bought it and they told me I had a dry bushing and they are going to grease it this thursday. :D
     
    #8 nitewolfgtr, Apr 24, 2007
  9. nitewolfgtr

    nitewolfgtr Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Apr 23 2007, 11:21 PM) [snapback]428843[/snapback]</div>
    I got my prius lubed by the dealer I purchased it from and it fixed it for couple days but it started happening again. I only hear the squeak as I *turn* the wheel to the LEFT only. When I hold the steering while turning, I don't hear it. It's really strange. Do you know why this would be happening?
     
    #9 nitewolfgtr, May 2, 2007
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