Hi Guys -

Wonder if anyone else has encountered this. Just recently I've started to notice that when turning with a tight radius into a parking spot, I hear an odd noise, which can best be described as a howl of sorts. What's the deal with this? Anyone else experience it?

I'm bringing it in for an oil change in a week or so and figure I'd post on here to see if anyone of you know what causes it so I can mention the problem.

Car is a 2005 xB - no modifications.

Thanks!

-A

 

Is it when your steering wheel is at full lock? Then as soon as you release it, the sound stops? If it is, then I think it is normal. I think that is just the power steering. I'm not a big technical guy, so I could be wrong....

 

I should have clarified that

It's actually not when at full lock, just when I'm turning into a tight parking spot. Only reason I mention that is that I haven't had it happen when turning while driving - yet at least!

 

check the level of your power steering system. The reservoir is behind the engine on the left side of the bay.

 

Check the air in your tires....Not being a smart @ss, but it could be the tread howling.

 

yes the low air in the tires do make tire noise

i see it all the time when other ppl have low tire pressure in there tires while turning

 

Hmm - still having this. I made an appt. for Sat. @ Scion since I need an Oil Change anways- but wanted to stop here and see if anyone has any more ideas on what it might be? I checked the tires and fluid - both are OK....

Could this just be that the power steering system - or some steering part needs lubrication? I'm trying to figure out what to tell the dealer so they don't try to screw me out of some money!!

Thanks

 

When you figure out how to keep a car dealer from screwing you out of money, please post your answer for the rest of us to see!! LOL--- It sure sounds like a power steering problem to me.........

 

I have the same experience in garages with cement floors.
During slow, sharp turns, one tire will screech.
I think that it is a slight alignment issue, it may be set correctly when the wheels are straight, but at an extreme turn, one tire turns slightly more than the other.
It happens on the road as well as in parking lots, but the tire will have a better grip on asphalt surface so it does not skip/screach/howl.
Have them check the 4 wheel alighment, tell the dealer about the noise.
I am looking forward to my first alignment when the new tires go on this fall.

 

Likely a powersteering problem, but are your wheels stock? I know on cars with wider wheels- you'll get tread squeel in parking lots and stuff...it's from wider wheels on a car with a pretty short turning radius. Not necessarily an alignment issue, unless your on skinny stockers.

 

Ok - so I made an appt. for Saturday. I'm convinced it's NOT a tire issue since I took a little air out of the tires (to make the squeal) and I heard BOTH noises then - the whistle from the power steering and the tire noise.

I'm still shocked no one else has had this. Anyone? Just looking for any guidance I can find before I bring it in.........

 

My car makes the same noise. It only seems to do it on startup when I make a really tight turn, like pulling out of my driveway or parking spot.

 

So it's kinda like a whistle (if you shaped your mouth as an O ; and whistled) noise? Interesting. I'll let you know what I find out from the dealer visit. I can't imagine that it's SUPPOSED to happen...

 

i've had that same sound also. mi was actually kinda worried because it sounded like my moms 98 corolla when it had a bad wheel bearing, but i figured its under warranty and if it gets worse it will be before the 3 years.i'm almost sure that its the wheel bearings just making noise.

 

Alright - so I took the car in this morning. Tech rode in the car with me to experience the sound - which I appreciated, as they were quite busy - but didn't seem to mind.

Initial diagnosis is that it's something with the Power Steering. They didn't have time to work on it today - but told me to bring it back in Tuesday and they'll have the correct parts to fix the issue.

I also learned something good. He told me that I can have a rental car on Tuesday, payed for. I questioned this about 10 times, but he even called and double checked with my extended warranty. Turns out the extended warranty pays if toyota does not for a warranty repair. Never would have known that - and never would have believed it if they had told me and hadn't called with my policy # to confirm.

Thought I'd share that. I'll post the results of whatever they do to it on Tuesday to fix it......

 

That is some great news!! And it sounds likie you have a good service dept...

 

OK!!! So I've narrowed this down today, because the first two trips to the service dept - while they tried to be helpful - did little more than provide me w/a free rental for the day

So when I was parking, turning right, again today and heard the noise, I let off the brake and noticed the noise immediatly stopped. Hmm - I thought it might be a coincidence.

So I try again. If I turn tight right into a parking spot w/o using the brake (which is damn hard sometimes I might add) no noise. When I use the brake, I sometimes get the "howl" or "open mouth whistle" noise I've spoke of before.

Given that description - anyone have any tips on what might be causing this? I want to go into the dealer on Tues. with as much info as possible - so they actually fix it this time.

For your reference, I have a 2005 xB with stock everything and around 20K miles.

Thanks!!!!!!!

 

It's Fixed!!

I figured I'd write back and share my experiences so others who may have this problem - or may run into it down the road have a point of reference......

After three trips to my local dealer (Findlay Toyota of Henderson, NV), the third time was a charm and my noise has been silenced! All three times I was taken care of excellently by the service advisor - as I have Toyota Extra Care Warranty, I got a covered rental car each time, and he handled all the paperwork. All I had to do was come in and drive off in the rental!

What was the problem?

Well....I can tell you what they fixed. They resurfaced? and reglazed? the rotors on the front and rear brakes and cleaned all the pads. I'm not totally sure why the resurfacing was done, but the noise is no longer there and it was covered under warranty, so I'm happy. Since the noise happened when I would turn and brake, I suppose there was something wrong with the way things were rubbing - which they've fixed.

What I'm really impressed with is that I didn't even have to argue with them to get it covered by warranty. They didn't even SUGGEST I'd have to pay, it was all taken care of for me. I was blown away by this, in the past with other dealers and brands I've had much diff. experiences.

Kudos Scion!

 

I have the same high pitched noise when turning (2006 xB) ... gonna havce it looked at today. Do you have after market wheelz / tires and lowering springs ? Will that affect a warranty repair ? I'm worried that they'll say, "well, it would have been free, but since you changed the springs and put different wheelz on it's NOT covered under warranty. please advise. Thanks.

 

Oh wow, i thought this was just me. Been experiencing this on my 2006.5 xb with about 23000 miles. A noise when turning into parking spots at certain speeds. My girlfriend's dad is a mechanic and mentioned to me that it was likely the brakes after i explained it to him....but I'm really glad to hear toyota will fix this without charge. Here's to hoping I can get the same done.

OP, how long did it take for them to do? Did you need a rental that day? I dont have the extended warranty...so am i sol for having something to drive for work that day? :S