2003 Camry: Steering Wheel makes noise while turning

[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.

[monkey28]

Bring it to dealership, they will know what comom problem happened in this vehicle.

[Zedex7R]

Is it a leather wrapped steering wheel?

[fawad]

nope just a regular steering wheel... its a camry LE.

[fawad]

Originally Posted by monkey28

Bring it to dealership, they will know what comom problem happened in this vehicle.

I was looking for people who might have a similar problem. I will definitely be taking it to the dealer once I have the time.

Just wanted to find out if its an ALARMING situation.

[fawad]

Hi,

The problem was fixed for free. He just greased the steering column..... from inside the car, above the brake/accelerator pedals, and thats it!

Thank you everyone.

[javaperson]

I also have a 2003 Camry LE. several months ago the problem appeared and recently it got worse. unfortunately, it did not always occur (tended to happen when its cold). i brought it to the dealer, but they wanted to charge 90bucks to look for the problem. i said no and tried to figure it out myself.

Anyways, i'm glad i ran across this thread. i lubricated the steering wheel above the brake pedal with silicone grease. Problem fixed! Thanks!

[fawad]

I am now having the problem again, less than 2 months since it originally happened.
I dont know why it started to happen again...
Anyone have any ideas?

[danorthface]

Originally Posted by fawad

I am now having the problem again, less than 2 months since it originally happened.
I dont know why it started to happen again...
Anyone have any ideas?

toyota would normally replace the entire steering wheel shaft.

[trdsupragt]

I think I've got the same issue with my 2003 Camry LE. It's my mother's car, and I've been wonder what the hell the sound was everytime I drive it. I'm going to take a look at it this weekend and see what's up.

[IPDaily]

i have a 2003 camry xle and i had the exact same problem as soon as the cold weather came... i took it into the dealership and they replaced the steering column assembly for free (they said it was under good faith warranty or something like that) and now it's noise free... whoever said they had it greased, that's just a quick fix, it'll come back within a couple months... obviously there's a part that's bad in the steering column that's gotta be replaced to fix the problem...

[fawad]

I enquired about a recall or something on the steering wheel at the Toyota dealer where I originally purchased the car. They said its a "CAMRY" thing, they just lubed it like before.

[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...

[Avalonman]

Well, mine makes that noise also. Is that bad?

[Avalonman]

Is it for 2003 only?