Toyota Avensis - Steering Noise

[total-dork]

I have an 02 plate Avensis with a 1.8 SR - VVTi engine and 19000 miles (excuse the detail - not sure what is relevant!).

The car seems 100% except at very low speeds - e.g. when in a car park - and the car has travelled a few miles, the steering makes a strange creaking noise. There is no noise at high speeds. The car doesnt have any major pull in any direction.

It only seems to happen after the car has done a few miles (i.e. it cannot be replicated at initial start up). It is like a creaking noise. It is loud enough to be heard over the radio and there is an ever so slight vibration felt through the wheels. It doesnt have to be on full lock either.

I took it back to the Toyota garage where I bought it and they checked everything over and said that it seems OK and they couldnt recreate it, but it is still happening.

Does anyone have any ideas? ....or has this happened to anyone else?

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I have posted this on another forum ("motoring forum on moneysavingexpert.com") and somebody rather worryingly said:

"if it is the old shape avensis they had terrible problems with the steering columns if you search on toyota owners club you can find more details.". I have tried to search on here and cannot find anything specific.

[T600]

Hi.

Welcome to TOC.

Sounds like it's maybe the power steering pump to me. If so, it'll get worse eventually, though probably only over a long period of time. As Toyota have checked it out I wouldn't be too worried about it.

I assume they checked the fluid level, and made sure it was primed properly.

You can help it survive a bit longer by taking care not to turn the wheel when stationary. That'll also help all the other steering components.

[gazza1286]

Read this thread - It is quite long but the advice by Treuno was invaluable to me.

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.p...=7041&st=20

Assuming it's the same problem That is!!!!