Whining sound from steering

[Shalom Driver]

Hello, I own a 2014 1.6 petrol Toyota Auris (United Kingdom), which was marked as the Toyota Corolla and the Scion iM in different world markets. Unfortunately it has developed a whining sound when driven at speeds below 5 MPH. The sound comes and goes as you turn the steering wheel and goes completely at speeds over 5 MPH. Hence it seems to be related to the steering.

What could be causing this noise, how do I diagnose the problem and how do I fix it?

[TonyHSD]

Hi, can you do a video about the sound and and when turning the wheel? Interesting, if it’s from the wheel then might be something with the gears and electric motor. 

[Cyker]

Sounds like it might be the electric power steering motor; My mate's Mini One made a whining sound like an over-active servo every time he turned the steering wheel  

 

[furtula]

Auris uses electric power steering, the lower the speed, the more it "helps", and thus, drawing more power. 

Any issue with the steering apart from whining?

Is there any instance where the car does not whine, for example, when wheels are on ice, or some slipper surface?

Is there any play in steering? A video would he helpful.

Could be bearing are seizing up and engine has to try harder to do it's job.

 

[Shalom Driver]

I’ve used the word “whining” however on reflection a better description would be squeal. Which it only does occasionally at very low speeds (below 5 MPH). The sound goes away if I turn the steering wheel.

[Cyker]

Oh, do you mean it's there when you're going in a straight line but goes away when you steer?

If so, may be one of the heatshields on the brakes rubbing against the brake disc. They get super rusty as they age an get bent really easily.

[furtula]

Mate, we're not pagan priests, can't throw bones around to guess what's wrong with your car.

I've asked few questions, hoping for more detailed description, you answered none.

And your next post just added to confusion.

If you don't provide more detailed description, giving as much info as you can, people will stop bothering to reply.

[Shalom Driver]

Thank you for all your kind responses so far. The squeal is infrequent at the moment, but very noticeable when it does happen. I’m finding it difficult to give more details, because it’s an intermittent issue which means that I can’t try things out to discover more, until it happens again. And when it does squeal it goes away with just a slight movement of the steering wheel.

All your responses sound plausible, but the rusty brake components seem the most likely.

I’m going to live with it for the moment until I can get it squeal on demand. I away take odd noises as a sign of pending failure so I tend to give them attention before something dose fail. I don’t assume it will be okay I check things out and try to diagnose, hence my post.

I will update this post when I have more details for diagnosis. Thanks again

[Cyker]

Yeah, intermittent problems are the worst to try and fix! Keep us posted...

 

[Kiwi987]

Here is my power steering problem, anything similar ?

[TonyHSD]

Wd-40 on the drive shaft joints, and then if the noise is gone you can add some machine oil or ptfe spray for longer lasting lubrication. 👍

[furtula]

22 hours ago, Kiwi987 said:

Here is my power steering problem, anything similar ?

Looks like same issue as on 1st gen.

Take the carpet out, and find where the universal join is connected to the drive shaft like on picture, on 1st gen there was a small plastic cover there also.

As said above, spray some wd-40 around the shaft, and check if the noise is gone.

Lasting fix was to disconnect the shaft, clean the old lubricant that has become sticky, and apply white grease.