persistent scraping noise from steering wheel

I am proud original owner of a 4 cylinder 2000 Toyota 2WD Tacoma with 200420 miles on it.No oil leaks or any major mechancial breakdown at all since I bought it in 9/2000.I have spent a few thousands on scheduled maintenances ( tune up - radiator power flush - fuel injection flush - transmission power flush - timely oil changes - timely tire rotation - wheel alignment - etc ) these past 10 years.

The scraping or grinding noise surfaced in late August,it occured often in recent weeks on a daily basis.So I hired a mobile mechanical to do power steering fluid exchange yesterday morning and it went away for the entire Sunday until today ( Monday) afternoon I could hear it again but not as loud as before.

Last time ( 3-4 years ago ) when I had the same situation,I took my truck to Midas and they performed power steering wheel exhange.The problem completely gone with no reoccurence of scraping or grinding noise.

Can someone ( who is knwoledgable or had past experience ) please shed light on this matter.Could it be the mechanical didn't replace the pwer steering fluid ??

Desperately seeking advice ...

 

Pull the cap off the power steering reservoir. First make sure there is enough fluid by looking at the level on the dipstick on the cap, then wipe the fluid off the dipstick onto a clean paper towel. If the fluid is yellow or clear, the mechanic put the wrong fluid in and that is casing your pump to burn up. It is supposed to have red fluid in it (ATF).

 

I bought the correct power steering fluid from local Kragen.

My question is WHY the scraping or grinding noise persists

 

Any suggestions or inputs from other posters here

Possibility of leak or bad power steering pump or bearings need replacement

 

well it's not supposed to be power steering fluid. Its supposed to be automatic transmission fluid.

 

dirty auto transmission fluid could create scraping or grinding noise on steering wheel

 

Inside the cab or under the hood? If inside the cab then maybe the thing that pokes out from the column to allow the horn to honk has been worn down where it isn't beveled anymore and has worn the contact path down on the wheel? Mine was loud like that on my 82 that had 500k miles on it.

 

i have clicking sound from my steering wheel, kinda like a ziptie when i turn. took it to a dealer and they were quick to point out the spiral cable as being the cause(clock spring). the noise is only audible from inside the truck and only when i turn quickly

 

Thanks both for informative inputs.I was offline for 2 days.

Inside the cab.I can clearly hear it from the steering wheel in front of me and it now occurs more often throughout the day whenever I move ( turn right & left & etc ) the steering wheel when driving.

I spoke to someone yesterday also suggested the noise might come from the horn.

Was the problem fixable or fixed ?

The annoying scraping noise appears whenever I move the steering wheel when driving not limited to quick or sharp turns.

 

my noise is there regardless i just notice it more when turning sharply. now, to piss me off more, it does it sometimes when i turn left, but not right. then sometimes its completely quiet. but its present about 95% of the time. sounds like we are have slightly different issues. please keep us up to date with the outcome

 

what im saying is your supposed to put ATF in the power steering, not power steering fluid.

 

Is it lifted? My 91 had the same problem-Plastic cover for the steering linkage was making the noise- good thing I checked--linkage was loose. Also colder weather made it louder-as with how weather is getting now--Worth a check--good luck. Also, hoses don't last forever.

 

Yes,it has a 3" body-lift.I had it done in 2004.

 

Well,I just got off the phone with another mechanic,he and the mobile mechanic both ( have 20 years of experience ) agreed on ATF is power steering fluid ( same thing ! ) and suggested some people on the internet don't know what they're talking about.

 

I spoke to another mechanic half-hour ago,he also suspects the screeching comes from the horn.He advised me not to waste several hundred dollars ( he charges $75 an hour to take it apart in order to locate the problem.The entire job takes 3 hours plus time fix the problem ) to fix it,just deal with it as my pickup is 10 year-old with 204600 miles so I can't expect it in excellent condition.

 

Well im just trying to help here. ATF is NOT the same as power steering fluid. Power
steering fluid is clear and is used the power steering systems of a lot of vehicles, but
not tacos. Tacos use automatic transmission fluid in their power steering systems.
Don't ask me why because I don't know, just go outside and read the cap on your power steering reservoir
and you will see what im talking about.

This is ATF:




and this is power steering fluid.

 

I just looked through the old 2006 Midas receipt where I last had power steering fluid exchange at a reputable franchise,it noted " higrade power steering fluid " not ATF.

 

Well that could turn into a problem later, but as others have said, I don't think its your problem here. It would make a really loud whining sound if the pump was going.

Good luck getting it fixed.

 

My truck also made a grinding noise when turning, which turned out to be the steering extension from the body lift. Maybe have that checked out if you still cant find the problem. Good Luck!

 

BINGO! this is probably your problem OP.