2003 Camry: Steering Wheel makes noise while turning

[fawad]

TSB?

Originally Posted by 2k4CamThrilla

i once had a noise coming from the steering wheel.. i thought it was something on the outside of the car but i checked the TSB's for my car and post came up wit steering shaft column makes noises while turning..so i took it the dealership and they swapped out the column for free...

[aust_camry]

Had a very similar problem with my '03 camry here in Australia. Grinding and rubbing noise when the steering is turned.

Cut the long story short - the problem was only solved when the whole steering rack was replaced under warranty, albeit after taking the car back to the dealership for 4-5 times.

The problem first appeared when the car was less than 1yo (less than 20,000km at that time). Took it to a Toyota dealership. A very unhelpful service dept staff tried to brush off the problem. He had the steering fluid changed, the problem went away for a month. Problem recurred and I took the car back to the dealer. The same unhelpful staff member said (way back in 2004) that Toyota USA has sent staff over to Aust to investigate the matter, but still there wasn't a fix for it. He was RELUCTANT to chase the problem up with factory.

Tolerated the problem for a few more months, and took it back to the dealership again. This time managed to get a higher ranking and more friendly staff to look at the problem. He promptly arranged to have a rubber component in the steering rack replaced. The problem went away for a couple of weeks, and came back soon after.

The 2nd staff member was very helpful and arranged for the problem to be investigated further. The whole steering rack got replaced in the end, and that was it. The grinding and rubbing sound was GONE! I guess at this point Toyota knew exactly what the problem was, and knew that the problem could only be solved by having the whole rack replaced.

I know the Australian Gen 5 is not mechanically identical to the North American Gen 5, but I believe the steering rack problem is something Toyota is aware of. And the same steering rack problem may be bugging the NA Gen 5 also.

For me, if the problem wasn't fixed, I was on the verge of replacing the Gen 5 Camry with an Honda.

Good luck with yours.

[Daffunda]

Originally Posted by fawad

Hi,

I have a 2003 Camry with about 100k kms on it.
My steering wheel has been making a noise while turning, every once in a while. You can hear it inside the car very clearly as if someone is crying .........
Yesterday it was raining hard and now every time I turn the car (typically slow turns) the steering makes a noise and I feel the vibration from the noise in my accelartor pedal (I did not feel it in the brakes)

I am new in Toronto, I took it to a mechanic and he said he would have to diagnose (meaning charge me money) to tell me what is wrong.

The power steering fluid is between min and max when the engine is hot.

I had this noise coming up before too, but not this much. It used to be occasionally.

Anyone who has experienced the same thing before? Or can suggest what might be wrong.

I got the tires changed and balanced a month back (no alignment yet) but this noise started only since yesterday.

I had the same problem on mine. The noise becomes present especially when it is cold outside.

The noise is coming from the rubber boot rubbing on the steering shaft column when you turn the steering wheel. (Where the shaft goes through the firewall) There is grease between the boot and the shaft. I noticed that the grease was almost non existent after driving the car for 3.5 years. I put some automotive grease on it, and noise disappeared. Problem solved.

Sometimes the problems have relatively simple solutions, and simple fix can solve the problem. But dealers would just rather replace the whole thing and get money. But that is how this world works. Sucks, but this is life.

[Avalonman]

Ugh!!!! Does It Happen On Any Ones 02!!!!!

[Aceventura9586]

my friend's 02 did the same thing. and daffunda has the perfect answer cuz its the right one. my car made that noise so i caked on some grease and it hasn't made the noise since. if the same problem exists with ur 02. look at the boot, it'll be dry. just lube it and it'll be fine.

[aust_camry]

Just had a check of my records for my Gen 5.

Initially Toyota had the pinion seal and o-ring replaced, and the spool shaft greased. The noise went away for a while then came back.

In the end the entire steering rack assembly was replaced and the noise is gone forever. Everything was covered under warranty.