SQOD Squad - Stupid Question Of the Day (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter JamesC
- Start date
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afgman786
SILVER Star
Steering is starting to make some noise occasionally. At low speeds or stopped, if I give the steering wheel a turn it makes a noise. The best I can describe it is as if my steering is wheezing. When driving around I don't hear it is. I'm assuming that has to do with I don't turn the wheel that quick or far when driving around. Curious to where I should start looking as I know there are many threads on power steering. Could this be as simple as just needing to grease something?
How long has it been since you flushed the PS fluid?
afgman786
SILVER Star
Something that I've been meaning to get to... Just checked the Toyota owner history to see if I did it when I first purchased the vehicle and baselined, looks like I'm still on original. So should solve my issue?
Maybe, maybe not, but a really good and cheap place to start
My steering column makes noise (inside the cabin) sometimes. Sounds like an odd moan or sometimes a squeak. I'm guessing it's something in/around the clock spring mechanism. Does your sound seem to be coming from outside the truck, or inside?
bloc
SILVER Star
And, super easy to keep fresh by pulling the fluid out of the reservoir and replacing with fresh stuff every oil change.
afgman786
SILVER Star
Definitely sounds like it's inside the cabin
On high mileage vehicles, I've found it can start making that noise at the boot where the column goes through the firewall. Maybe put the seat all the way back, have one of the kiddos wiggle the wheel back and forth while you lay on the floor with a bright flashlight. Spray some lubricant on the rubber boot, my preference is teflon-based TriFlow. See if the noise goes away.
Hopefully its something trivial as mentioned above. However, what would have me concerned is that its more prevalent when stopped or at slower speeds, which coincides with when the power steering is under more stress. So my mind goes straight to the pump itself or the steering rack. I'm sure you checked fluid levels and all the boots/connections for leaks or abnormalities already. If everything seems to be normal, trying a fluid flush would seem to be the cheapest and easiest place to start.
Next in my mental checklist would be checking the remaining steering and suspension components for any excessive play/wear...Good luck
afgman786
SILVER Star
Having dug too deep yet, but fluids were good. That's why I posted up to know where to start. It's been cold where I'm at and didn't want to be out there looking at unnecessary parts.
Drove the 200 again today, came in for an alignment. When I give the steering wheel a jerk it definitely sounds like its inside and was only when I was at a complete stop. A smooth turn did not cause any noise, but weather is to warm up tomorrow and over the weekend so I'll be able to look into it more.
Thanks for ideas of what all to look into
So I got the sensor lift in. Anything else I can do to add more height? 40 gallon tank, 2 bumpers, fridge, and roof top tent and awning. I’m a fat boy that’s got a bit of a sag.
you can use Techstream and the Height Offset Utility to add another 3/4” to the sensor lift.
I think you should do the shock spacers to stiffen your coils a bit.
Sinister
SILVER Star
Anyone know where I can get this little piece of roof rack molding, or have a part # so I can order one? Passenger side btw.
I remove them as they prevent proper cleaning and mud and leaves build up under them. Ive prob throw out 50 sets over the years when fitting roof racks
Sinister
SILVER Star
Mine in the front passenger side. The number on that sheet for mine seems to be for the entire drip edge molding. Mine was only like 4-6 inches long rubber insert.
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Different story up here in the wet US PNW - I had water intrusion in the roof channel in the area where I was missing this cover and the rubber drip rails. The channel gunked up and wouldn’t drain.
