2000 Toyota Avalon - rubbing/growling noise near tire when turning in parking garage?

I just bought a used Toyota Avalon with 84,000 miles on it this week.
While making the sharp left-hand turns up into the multi-level parking
garage today, I noticed a growling or rubbing sound coming from the right
hand front tire area. Does anyone have an idea on what this could be?

My Dad said it could be the power steering fluid but I turned the wheel
sharply to each side at a stop and didn't hear any noise. I'm getting the
tires replaced next week. I may have it looked at sooner though if
necessary.

Thanks!

On Fri, 22 Dec 2006 19:33:31 -0500, horseridingirl wrote:
[color=blue]
> I just bought a used Toyota Avalon with 84,000 miles on it this week.
> While making the sharp left-hand turns up into the multi-level parking
> garage today, I noticed a growling or rubbing sound coming from the right
> hand front tire area. Does anyone have an idea on what this could be?
>
> My Dad said it could be the power steering fluid but I turned the wheel
> sharply to each side at a stop and didn't hear any noise. I'm getting the
> tires replaced next week. I may have it looked at sooner though if
> necessary.
>
> Thanks![/color]


I don't think there's anything wrong with your car, I think it has more to
do with the rubber compound in your tires and the flooring surface of the
garage.

I have noticed this in some parking garages, also.

"horseridingirl" <kyhorseridingirl@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:5fb9d6ad39d85cda207013abe85b0131@localhost.talkaboutautos.com...[color=blue]
>I just bought a used Toyota Avalon with 84,000 miles on it this week.
> While making the sharp left-hand turns up into the multi-level parking
> garage today, I noticed a growling or rubbing sound coming from the right
> hand front tire area. Does anyone have an idea on what this could be?
>
> My Dad said it could be the power steering fluid but I turned the wheel
> sharply to each side at a stop and didn't hear any noise. I'm getting the
> tires replaced next week. I may have it looked at sooner though if
> necessary.
>
> Thanks!
>[/color]

Noises are difficult, if not impossible, to diagnose without actually
hearing them.

Tires sometimes make strange noises on smooth surfaces like freshly coated
roads and parking garages.

Make sure that the power steering fluid is up the proper level on the PS
fluid reservoir. If it needs topping off, use the correct fluid, probably
Dexron III.

With the engine shut off, check the tension on the belt that drives the PS
pump and make sure that the belt is not glazed or deteriorating on the
underside. You should not be able to depress the belt more than about an
inch at the widest point between pulleys.

If there are aftermarket wheels or oversize tires installed, the wheel or
tire may be rubbing on the inner fender liner.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)