noise when turning right??? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

bitethebullitt · 10-06-2009, 09:28 PM

our 97 toyota avalon is making a noise when it turns to the right. the noise sounds similar to my 92 chevy pickup when it is low on power steering fluid-just a bit quieter though. only makes the noise when turning right. it is not a metal on metal type noise. more of a whinning or whurring noise.

took it into the dealer and they got rid of the noise... temporarily. he told me all he did was to tighten a belt. the noise was completely gone and it has now returned after less than 100 miles. same noise, same symptoms.

any ideas on what to look at here? which belt he may have been talking about?

thanks.

***BMR*** · 10-06-2009, 11:31 PM

The power steering belt is separate from the other; the serpentine belt. To tighten it, the power steering pump must be rotated on its pivot. It's accessed from the passenger side wheel well. There's a plastic panel that is removable. My guess is that the belt needs to be replaced. If I remember correctly, it's "inside" the serpentine belt, so it must be removed in order to replace the PS belt.

bitethebullitt · 10-07-2009, 02:55 AM

BMR,

ahhh... what you say makes good sense seeing as how the car has 202k miles. i'll inspect this belt and replace it myself if it is worn. i appreciate your reply!

bitethebullitt · 11-02-2009, 07:49 PM

i changed out the power steering belt. i changed out the other serpentine belt too since i was down there. took her for a test drive and experienced the same sound when i turn right. not when i turn left, when i turn right. any other thoughts on what may be the culprit here? i'd like to say it was the power steering pump itself, and it may be, but i would think that if it were the power steering pump it would make the sound when i turn left also. this is quite perplexing to say the least-if not less.

msrdude · 11-02-2009, 09:42 PM

I say check out the cv boot and joints under the car. Its connected to like the axle or or something. If the boot is broken, it loses the grease packing inside and when it goes dry, it can cause the noise. There should be 2 cv boots on each wheel. I mean its worth the check.

csyork · 12-08-2009, 08:27 PM

I had a similar problem with a loud awful noise when I made a sharp right turn at low speed, like in a parking lot. I had several people look at it and they were stumped.

Eventually I had some worn suspension parts replaced and the noise went away. I'm not certain what parts were rubbing to cause the noise. I got new struts and tie rod ends. I also had severe tire wear from the worn parts.

It may be worth getting your car on a lift and checking the suspension.