Hello everyone,

Recently I am hearing a screeching or rubbing noise doing a hard turn (at slow speeds - think parking lot). Often I can also feel it in the steering wheel. In addition, I often hear this zip tie kind of noise coming from the steering wheel column (this seems to occur at each start and then randomly while driving).

I am going to check the pressure on the tires and have a rotation coming up, so maybe it will go away.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks,
Mike

 

mikieboyblue — It sounds like a tire rubbing against some body part. Is one of the mudflaps, or some other plastic under-body cover out of place? Get down and have a good look around, especially while it is happening!

Stan

 

When doing less than 5 miles per hour turns, my '07 Energy tires made a slight noise against the pavement. This was only in a walmart parking lot with the car windows down. I run 40 psi so this may be normal. I never hear it with the windows closed.

I had a '06 Ford Five Hundred. It had a slight steering wheel squeak from inside the car. This again only was only in a parking lot. The Ford dealer put some lubricant on the steering joint at the firewall inside the car. That fixed the problem and I later found Ford has a TSB on that same problem. I sold the Ford to get above 31 mpg.

 

If your TCH is 2007 I'd check several prior threads and the TSB in one from April 25, 2007 "Steering Intermediate Shaft Noise". One prior thread with the TSB reference is:

https://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/...19/#post181701

I have this on the list to discuss with my dealer next visit as it is an intermittent issue and I'm still well within warranty.

Good Luck and report back here if this is relevant/irrelevant to your issue.

 

Hi Mark,

Well according to the TSB, the production change VIN is 4T1BB46K#7U007745 (Kentucky) and my VIN is 4T1BB46K#7U015179 (after the production change VIN) so I should have the new part the resolves TSB ST002-07.

The 'zip tie' noise sounds like a solenoid of some sort. Possibly the locking mechanism. I have a service appointment on Friday and plan on bringing this up and two other complaints (seat noise and creaking).

Mike