Grinding noise from steering wheel (1 Viewer)

[brm98]

I'm getting a strange grinding noise from the steering wheel. It's only in certain parts of the turn. Happens at any speed. I removed the cover off the column in an effort to "lube" things but no such luck. I've read around and there were some posts about clicking and the possibility of the clock spring. This is more of a grinding and not a clicking. Anyone experience this or any suggestions other than buy a new car?

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Could be the VGRS.

 

[utflowerman]

I haven’t fixed mine yet, but I have the same. My first fix will be the clock spring, I feel fairly confident that will be my remedy.

 

[brm98]

Could be the VGRS.

please to 'splain?

 

[utflowerman]

Variable Gear Ratio Steering (system?). It is a fancy system that varies your steering ratio so the vehicle is nimble at 75 mph on the freeway and at 1 mph turning in a parking lot.

I don’t understand the implications for your symptoms, but one of the typical failures will cause the steering wheel to be off center.

 

[kgrove]

Do a healthy search here as I know I recall seeing a thread on this. I've had what sounds like the same noise in the steering wheel of both my previous 2007 and current 2002. It's been a few years and I never got around to doing the repair myself, but I remember reading several posts from somebody who figured out the source of the noise and developed a fix. All I remember about it was it involved removing a bunch of parts from under the steering wheel and doing some cleaning and lubing... don't think there were any new parts involved.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

I don’t understand the implications for your symptoms

OP said “grinding”. Gears grind. There are three gears inside the VGRS.

 

[brm98]

Variable Gear Ratio Steering (system?). It is a fancy system that varies your steering ratio so the vehicle is nimble at 75 mph on the freeway and at 1 mph turning in a parking lot.

I don’t understand the implications for your symptoms, but one of the typical failures will cause the steering wheel to be off center.

Ahhhh, ok. Makes sense. The wheel is centered and aligned. But interesting diag. Thanks.

 

[brm98]

Do a healthy search here as I know I recall seeing a thread on this. I've had what sounds like the same noise in the steering wheel of both my previous 2007 and current 2002. It's been a few years and I never got around to doing the repair myself, but I remember reading several posts from somebody who figured out the source of the noise and developed a fix. All I remember about it was it involved removing a bunch of parts from under the steering wheel and doing some cleaning and lubing... don't think there were any new parts involved.

Interesting. Thanks for the heads up. Let the deep dive begin.

 

[merbesfield]

I have an 02 that has a sound like a wire or spring is rubbing as the wheel is turned. Def. not a grinding gear noise. So if it is similar to your noise I am interested.

 

[blackohio]

also could be clockspring.

 

[KillerBox]

My clockspring used to grind. To stop the noise, I used some 3M Silicone Lubricant - Dry Version to stop it.

I popped the two little covers off behind the steering wheel. I sprayed the Silicone lubricant on the white clockspring. Drove it around the block to work the lubricant into the hard to reach spots. Then sprayed it again, popped the little covers back on and have been noise free for over 3 years.

Stupid easy and I am not that good of a mechanic. It might take 5 minutes to try to see if it helps you all.

 

[flipckyLC]

I'm getting something similar, not sure if it would be considered a grinding sound. Can someone verify if they have experienced this and what the fix was?

 

[CloudCity]

I'm getting something similar, not sure if it would be considered a grinding sound. Can someone verify if they have experienced this and what the fix was?

Yes, yours and the OP's description both sound like a clock spring. If it makes the sound initially when it's colder out and stops as the interior warms up a bit, then that's almost certainly it. The grinding sound is plastic on plastic.

 

[KillerBox]

I am pretty sure that is the Clockspring grind. Just like CloudCity said, it is normally worse when it is colder outside. You can either try to spray some try lube on it like I did or replace the Clockspring.

 

[CloudCity]

I am pretty sure that is the Clockspring grind. Just like CloudCity said, it is normally worse when it is colder outside. You can either try to spray some try lube on it like I did or replace the Clockspring.

Did you pretty much just hit everything in there you could reach? I would guess it's best to do multiple light sprays rather than soak it so the carrier solvent can evaporate before you test it?
This is the simplest repair I've read for this issue, even ones where folks take the wheel apart to grease by hand doesn't always result in a fix. Cool fix and thanks.

 

[KillerBox]

I hit everything that looked like the clockspring (which is the only thing in there that is white (or a little tan). The dry lube will not tear up anything if you accidently spray it so don't be afraid to put it on liberal and multiple sprays.

In my opinion, the worse it can do is leak out onto your clothing until it dries. And use the little tube that comes with the Dry Lube to spray it and it will help get it into the hard to reach spots too.

 

[KillerBox]

P.S. Get the big can of 3M Dry Lube because it works wonders on slow moving windows, air leaks and etc.

 

[brm98]

I'm getting something similar, not sure if it would be considered a grinding sound. Can someone verify if they have experienced this and what the fix was?

That's it!

 

[brm98]

I hit everything that looked like the clockspring (which is the only thing in there that is white (or a little tan). The dry lube will not tear up anything if you accidently spray it so don't be afraid to put it on liberal and multiple sprays.

In my opinion, the worse it can do is leak out onto your clothing until it dries. And use the little tube that comes with the Dry Lube to spray it and it will help get it into the hard to reach spots too.

Awesome! Thank you.

*off to get some lube*