Creaky steering wheel?

[RahTX]

I seem to have a creaking sound coming from my steering column. To my untrained ear, the sound really seems to be coming from inside the car. Also, it's not necessarily when I turn the steering wheel ... the way to make it happen on demand is to push or pull on the wheel.

Thinking it had something to do with the telescoping function, I unlocked that and let it slide freely, but at the end of the range (out or in) the sound continues.

Additionally, if I'm driving over even a *slightly* rough surface, I can take my hands off the wheel (obviously only if it's safe to do so, like an empty parking lot) and the creaking sound continues - in fact it's worse. My guess would be that simply holding on to the steering wheel dampens the vibrations and prevents some of the noise.

To me that might indicate some sort of suspension issue, but I could swear the sound is coming from inside the cabin. Is there any place that would be affected by movement from both the steering wheel *and* the wheels/suspension?

Looking down at the floor, I see some sort of joint at the end of the steering column (sorry don't know the proper terminology). Could the sound be coming from there?

I've had this problem for a while and have just sort of gotten used to it, but it's really starting to drive me a bit crazy since it seems to be worse during the colder months.

BTW, I took the car to the dealer sometime last year and they said they greased or lubricated something. But, the sound was back immediately after getting it back. The car is still under warranty, but it's really a hassle to take off work and leave it with the dealer yet again to have them not fix it...

Anyways, it's not the end of the world, but any suggestions are appreciated.

[Cobb]

You got 2 universal joints in the steering shaft. One on the rack and one inside. You should be able to move it with your hand if its loose.

Now that I think of it I get a few clicks when I steer lock to lock in parking lots as I snake my way around. I never paid any attention to it.


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[RahTX]

Thanks, I'll play around with it (on the inside) and see if I can narrow down where it's coming from.

For what it's worth, the sound has nothing to do with turning (e.g. "lock to lock"), or really even driving, for that matter. I can sit in the car with the engine off and give a slight push/pull on the steering wheel, and it will creak/squeak. That said, as I mentioned in the first post, it will get worse when driving, especially if I take my hands off the wheel.

Eventually I'll probably end up just biting the bullet and taking time off to bring it to the dealership, but I was hoping to at least be able to tell them, "ok, *this* is exactly what's wrong, please fix it this time"

[RahTX]

Played with it some more and was able to reproduce the sound by just moving the metal column near the floor joint by hand, not touching the steering wheel at all. It's really hard to pin-point the exact location of the sound, but I'd guess it's either at the joint with the floor, or something up closer to the steering wheel (column assembly?).

I would love to know how to fix it myself, but at the end of the day, it's over my head. Appointment with the dealership is next week. Hopefully they don't need it more than a day...

[Cobb]

Interesting.... That "could " be serious and too would recommend the dealer.

Ive driven a lot of vehicles and am use to the clicking noise when steering. My geo metro did that too. I assume its my driving method as I like making tight turns and frequently in parking lots go lock to lock. Otherwise most of my miles are on the interstate or highway with mild turns that only require the wheel to be turned slightly off center.


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[RahTX]

Just picked it up from the dealership and they said they need to replace the steering column, but that it's "nationally backordered" and could be 2-3 weeks. So, have to bring it back again :-/

About the backordered status, the service advisor's comment was something along the lines of "obviously a lot of other people are having the same problem", but a search through this and other forums (including Fit since our cars share a lot of DNA) doesn't really bring up much. The only similar sounding thing I could find was an issue a few years ago with Ridgeline's. There are certainly no related recalls or TSB's...

[RahTX]

Part came in early and they replaced the steering column, but that didn't fix it. Apparently it was simply a loose bolt holding the "steering column holder". Part #1 in this diagram.

[Cobb]

Interesting... I was head first under my dash this afternoon and confirmed I had no steering column noise, but i do have a slight knock when I move the wheel clock wise to counterclock wise.


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