2007 Avalon Cold Weather Grinding

[~AJK~]

I searched the forum and couldn't find anything....

This only happens when my 07 Avalon has been sitting outside in weather colder than 20 degrees.

After starting to drive, if I make any 'decent' acceleration while turning right or left (let's say right turn from a stop sign) I get a griding noise from the front end. Last year when I had this problem the dealer charged me to replace the power steering fluid and the problem went away (so did the cold weather so I couldn't really test it). Now the weather and the grinding are back. I plan to bring it to the dealer tonightand offer to go for a test drive in the morning to ensure that they can duplicate the problem. I really don't want them to just change out the power steering fluid again and send me on my way. That should not be an annual event. Any ideas as to what is going on?

[csaxon]

Save your money. Let the fluid warm up. The stuff is thicker than normal and probably has ice crystals in it. It's normal.

[muscarello]

Amazing coincidence. I was just going to post the same question. I got my 07 in June. I have just noticed the same problem in the last few days since we have had cold weather here. Doesn't happen when I pull out of the garage...only when the car has been sitting outside.
I drove around making a lot of turns on my way home last night, rather than taking a straight shot on the expressway. The noise gradually goes away as things warm up. Still, it was disconcerting hearing it at first. The last time I had such an experience was with cars made over 30 years ago! I am wondering what noises I might hear if it gets really cold.

[Kellc1]

2007 Limited here. Last winter, I had the same issue with the front end noise. Cold weather (below zero 100%), turning from a stop, accelerating, get a BDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD sound from the front end. Dealer replaced the entire front drive shaft, including the CV joint. Seemed to have worked. I drove the car this past Saturday at below zero, and it is clearly doing it again. I can make it do it 100% of the time. ARRRGGGGHHHHH
Tomorrow it goes in for the exhaust manifold issue. I just got it back for the laser cruise issue. So far, everything has been warranty, but each thing seems to always be a $1200.00 + issue. About ready to trade it for a Buick. My last buick had one starter in 145K miles.
KC

[~AJK~]

When the dealer told me that they could reproduce this I drove on over (in my wife's 7 year old Lexus/Toyota that doesn't do this) and took the service manager for a test drive. The car made the noise. His explanation, “when you are making the turn do you notice how the front end is ‘twisting?’ You are putting a strain on the suspension. There are rubber components that are twisting. During the extreme cold when you first start the car they are stiff. You are hearing this stiff rubber rubbing and therefore it makes this sound. Once the car warms up the rubber is more pliable and the sound goes away.”

I “guess” it make sense. He didn’t seem to be going out of his way to try to fool me. The car is on an extended warranty so it isn’t like the dealer would eat the cost on this. In fact, they probably would like to have to charge for it. Is he full of it? What do you all think?

If this is the case, I should have asked if there is anything that can be lubricated so as not to have this annoyance. Any suggestions?

[Kellc1]

The noise that I am experiencing is not a metal rubbing on rubber sound.
KC