Is your electric steering loud?

[Robert S]

My 05 Avalon had the steering clunk when i bought it used 2 years ago i took it to a local dealer and for about $150 they greased the shaft and said it didn't need to be replaced. Never had a problem with it again.

Last month i bought my wife a 08 highlanderlimited. No clunk but since this one i believe has electric power steering and when i turn the wheel to the right there is a little noise like a motor but when i turn it to the left it is a more noticeable noise. Not loud or anything but if the radio is below like volume 5 and you are driving slow it is noticeable.

should i get it checked out? really don't want to go to the dealer and hear nothings wrong and i owe them a $100 diagnostic fee or something! But i am still under my 3 year 36k for about another month.

[AVConsult]

Yes, at low speeds and with radio low or off and cabin blower on low you can sure hear the electric steering motor. I wouldn't call it loud. Just audible. Under almost any other conditions I can't hear it.

The owners manual says you might hear the motor, the dealer is going to point out that fact, take your $100 and send you away.

[TrailDust]

The only thing I ever hear from my electric steering is in the first couple seconds of forward motion after turning the Highlander on, it produces a light rrRRrrrrr sound just once and that's it. Gives my baby a little character......

[AVConsult]

The rrrrrpttth heard occasionally, I determined to be coming from my son, not car.

[lucky777]

TrailDust, "rrrrrpttth" that you're hearing most likely ABS self check on car restart.

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by lucky777

TrailDust, "rrrrrpttth" that you're hearing most likely ABS self check on car restart.

Ahh, thanks! I always thought based on the type of sound and location that it was the electric steering, but the ABS check makes even more sense. Thanks for clarifying....

P.S. -- it still gives my baby character.....

[sweeneyp]

From what I can tell, the motor is either IN the steering column or right behind the dash where the steering column hits it, so your bound to hear it. I definitely hear mine when i'm at a stop turning the wheel.