Creaking noise from steering column

[Guest]

2001 - Boxster S

Hello All,

Looking for some guidance on an issue (more of a nuisance at this stage).

When I turn the steering I hear a creaking sound from the steering wheel column - typically at very low speed since there's less competing sounds. Seems like there's something crying out for lubrication but clearly could be more serious. Otherwise the steering is fine and I am having no adverse effects.

I would like to understand what I could do to understand the root cause/fix before commiting to "open wallet surgery" at the nearest garage.

Many thanks,

Shuaib

[kbrandsma]

2001 - Boxster S

Hello All,

Looking for some guidance on an issue (more of a nuisance at this stage).

When I turn the steering I hear a creaking sound from the steering wheel column - typically at very low speed since there's less competing sounds. Seems like there's something crying out for lubrication but clearly could be more serious. Otherwise the steering is fine and I am having no adverse effects.

I would like to understand what I could do to understand the root cause/fix before commiting to "open wallet surgery" at the nearest garage.

Many thanks,

Shuaib

Has the steering wheel been removed? Sometimes the ring that holds the three or four stalks (wipers, cruise, and turn signals and/or on-bord computer if you have a fourth stalk) is not been seated or re-installed properly. The sound is more like a grinding sound rather than a creaking sound however.

Edited July 13, 2010 by kbrandsma

[Guest]

2001 - Boxster S

Hello All,

Looking for some guidance on an issue (more of a nuisance at this stage).

When I turn the steering I hear a creaking sound from the steering wheel column - typically at very low speed since there's less competing sounds. Seems like there's something crying out for lubrication but clearly could be more serious. Otherwise the steering is fine and I am having no adverse effects.

I would like to understand what I could do to understand the root cause/fix before commiting to "open wallet surgery" at the nearest garage.

Many thanks,

Shuaib

Has the steering wheel been removed? Sometimes the ring that holds the three or four stalks (wipers, cruise, and turn signals and/or on-bord computer if you have a fourth stalk) is not been seated or re-installed properly. The sound is more like a grinding sound rather than a creaking sound however.

No - hasn't been removed. And certainly a creaking sound - much like stretching leather.

[RFM]

The rubber bellows, on the car floor, where the column passes is a source of creaking sounds, you can lubricate with silicon spray. Other sources are, the column bearings (replaceable) and the steering rack top bearing (not replaceable - bearing not available separately)

[Ross1]

My vote is the clockspring! You have to remove the steering wheel to get to it. It's the unit that transfers your electrical wiring to the wheel. It also helps with canceling your turn signals. It turns back and forth with your wheel and definitely can make that noise. It is not made to be opened for repair, so unless you can live with it, you will have to replace it. I think it's about $250.

[Phil996]

"Creaking sound from the steering wheel column" - exactly what I'm experiencing on my '07 997 GT3.

Between April and now it's been in the dealership for repair twice now - first they replaced the front stabiliser silent blocks, sound remained (came back after a while), then a second time, they replaced some wear parts of the front axle as well as the anti-vibration pads from the front brakes ... again, after a few miles, sound came back like before. The sound comes while driving but also at standstill when turning the steering- wheel.

Car runs perfectly well but that noise is just not OK in such a car.

I don't want to bring it endlessly into the dealership either.

Any useful hint would be welcome.

[Ross1]

"Creaking sound from the steering wheel column" - exactly what I'm experiencing on my '07 997 GT3.

Between April and now it's been in the dealership for repair twice now - first they replaced the front stabiliser silent blocks, sound remained (came back after a while), then a second time, they replaced some wear parts of the front axle as well as the anti-vibration pads from the front brakes ... again, after a few miles, sound came back like before. The sound comes while driving but also at standstill when turning the steering- wheel.

Car runs perfectly well but that noise is just not OK in such a car.

I don't want to bring it endlessly into the dealership either.

Any useful hint would be welcome.

So you told the dealer that your steering wheel creaked and they worked on the front end. It sounds like something is getting lost in the translation from the service manager and the mechanic. I would either take it back and give them a thorough and specific explanation of the problem, or take it to a different dealer.