1999 Camry - Noise while making sharp turns - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

bsierad · 03-05-2010, 10:22 AM

Hello everyone. I've got a 1999 Toyota Camry CE with about 95k miles on it. Just this past week I've noticed a squeaking noise while making very sharp turns such as when parking or pulling out of the driveway.

It's very brief, perhaps lasting for a second at most. It happens as I'm approaching the limit of turning the wheel in both directions, but before I hit the limit. It does it coming and going in both directions.

It does it when the car is stopped as well as moving. I've checked the power steering fluid and the belt. Anybody have some suggestions as to where I might look?

Thanks!

ghettosled · 03-05-2010, 12:19 PM

does it make the same noise when you turn the steering all the way to the limit?

bsierad · 03-05-2010, 12:32 PM

No, it sounds perfectly normal at the extremes.

Thanks!

Mike Gerber · 03-05-2010, 01:45 PM

You mentioned this was a squeaking noise. That usually indicates the belt is slipping. You also mentioned you checked the belt; did you check to see if the belt was galzed? Is this the original belt? Is the noise more noticable when the engine is cold?

Mike

Nervous · 03-05-2010, 02:11 PM

Check CV boots on axles.

KiDGiB · 03-05-2010, 04:10 PM

Also check ball joints.

***JohnGD*** · 03-05-2010, 08:16 PM

Most likely the belt may be slipping. it's a sharp squealing sound coming from the belt rubbing on the pulley.

First thing is to check the the pulleys are clean and the belt isn't glazed and shiny. I'd also check belt tension. Use a Krikit-II gauge, but deflection method would work.

You kinda have to "guesstimate" below 100 lbs, which is the lowest number on the scale but doable.
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bsierad · 03-08-2010, 10:09 AM

Thanks for the tips. The boots seem to be fine. I didn't notice any glazing on the belt, but I figured I'd just go ahead and replace it since it was the original belt. Tension seemed agreeable using the deflection method, but I think 10 years is long enough.

Even with the new belt on there, it's still making the noise exactly as before. While I was letting it run on the jacks I did notice one thing. If I swung the wheel really fast, it was much more pronounced. If I rotated the wheel about the speed I would do if I were in normal driving, it wasn't there at all.

It also sounds almost as if it's coming from the steering wheel itself. Is that possible? It also doesn't seem to make a difference if the engine is warm or cold.

Thanks!

***JohnGD*** · 03-08-2010, 08:50 PM

It's possible that the lube in the steering wheel has dried up. Have a friend help confirm the source of the noise. Used to lube old Detroit steering wheels, but have not messed with ABS equipped ones however.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsierad

It also sounds almost as if it's coming from the steering wheel itself. Is that possible? It also doesn't seem to make a difference if the engine is warm or cold.

Thanks!

EEngineer · 03-08-2010, 09:33 PM

sounds like power steering belt

Nervous · 03-08-2010, 10:01 PM

...or P/S pump... Just put someone else behind the wheel and staying at the fender listen where the sound is coming from.