Squeaky steering wheel when it's cold out
 

I'm driving a 1995 Accord EX Sedan w 140k miles...

I just moved from Phoenix to Milwaukee (that's half my problem...). In cold weather my steering wheel squeaks very loudly...very annoying. After the car warms up with the heater, it slowly goes away (it takes 15-20 min to fully go away, but my commute to work is only 10 min)...and it doesn't squeak at all in the summer time. It sounds like it's coming from the column area. I have searched the web and there are all sorts of similar examples...not just Honda (although it does seem to be a current issue for the Ridgeline).

Most people are recommending some formof lubrication, like white lithium grease. I'm just not sure where to apply it...does the steering wheel need to come off?

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

RE: Squeaky steering wheel when it's cold out
 

did you check your power steering fluid? if its bubbling over like mine was its prbling missing a little 0 ring by the pump that can cause that

RE: Squeaky steering wheel when it's cold out
 

It sounds like a classic case of clockspring noise. On some vehicles, in certain conditions the vinyl sheathing of the wires for your horn and airbag (also known as the clockspring) will rub and make a funky sort of squeak. It is harmless, and generally goes away as the vehicle warms up.

Imagine, the wires for your airbag are in a heavy vinyl jacket, wound from the center of the steering column like a clockspring. When you turn the wheelone way, they tighten slightly, and the other way they loosen. This is why you should never turn the wheel if the p/s rack is removed. The natural limits of the rack prevent tightening the wires to the point that they break.

I was a service advisor for several years, and this was a common complaint. There is really no good "fix", because this is aside effectof normal operation. A new clockspring may make the same noise. It's not necessary or recommended to try to lubricate the clockspring.

RE: Squeaky steering wheel when it's cold out
 

very loud squeaking noise when turning the wheels? loose/old p.s. belt?

RE: Squeaky steering wheel when it's cold out
 

I think some careful listening can decide the location of the sound.

The clockspring is located just beneath the center of the steering wheel.

Loose squeaky belt is located in the engine compartment.

We can't hear the noise from here, so it's hard for us to decide.

RE: Squeaky steering wheel when it's cold out
 

I think I figured it out...last night I removed the upper plastic cover of the steering column. I identified the plastic parts that were rubbing together causing the squeaky noise and applied white lithium grease with a small paint brush...it seems to be working...no more noise (so far). I had a nice quiet commute to work this morning. We'll see if it returns.
Thanks again.

RE: Squeaky steering wheel when it's cold out
 

Pplease post a pic if it's not too much of a PITA. My brother's CL does the same thing. If it's simple enough, I may be nice and fix it.

RE: Squeaky steering wheel when it's cold out
 

If you get something like that rubbing in the column (not actually the clockspring); you might be able to re-align all those plastic covers. Or maybe take a heat gun & bend something.?

RE: Squeaky steering wheel when it's cold out
 

I'm thinking more along the lines of squeezing the straw from my silicone spray can in there and giving it a shot.

RE: Squeaky steering wheel when it's cold out
 

It all depends on exactly what's rubbing & that may not be just the same as unir's car.

RE: Squeaky steering wheel when it's cold out
 

I have the same accord and live in michigan. I've noticed the same problem when the weather is cold. Over the past couple of years, it's gotten progressively worse. Initially i thought it was my power steering pump. After a visit to my local muffler shop, I believewe found the problem. The noise appears to be coming from my upper control arm bushing (in the wheel well). Either it's worn out or lost it's sealed lubrication. We gave it a real good spraydown with silicone based lubricant and the noise went away for a couple of months. It has since come back.

I'm 90% certain that the replacement of my bushing will take care of this problem. The only problem is that the bushing is part of the upper control arm assembly and will require replacement of both. I havent had the money or time to get it taken care of. When you turn your steering wheel, there is motion in that bushing and may cause creeping noises when pressure is applied.

I would try spraying it down (heavily) with silicone lubricant. If the noise goes away, there is your problem. It may return after a while ...but at least you'll know what needs replacement.

Let us know if this isolates the problem

RE: Squeaky steering wheel when it's cold out
 

Try to stuff some grease in there instead of using spray. That'll probably last quite a bit longer before having to do it again.

RE: Squeaky steering wheel when it's cold out
 

I have a similar problem as described on my 92 Accord that suddenly appeared. It is random though and only during moving turns. I could not figure out what the sound was. It was not really a squeak though and quiet enough that with my radio turned up I could not hear it.

I finally figured out what the sound sounded like. It was like a squeegee going down a window. That same kind of sound. It really sounds like it is coming from the steering column though.

Again, it is sudden and random and the car continues to steer fine.

Wild. Does anyones squeal or sound sound like the one I am encountering?

RE: Squeaky steering wheel when it's cold out
 

how would i "stuff" grease into a sealed bushing? Should i take a needle and try to spray some in there .....then somehow reseal?

RE: Squeaky steering wheel when it's cold out
 

When you said upper control arm "bushing" I figured you meant the pivot points at the inboard end of the upper control arm. I assumed you can work grease into those bushings, but I haven't had to do that on my Accords.

If you meant the outboard joint, that's a ball joint which has a removable rubber boot. Take that boot off, inspect the actual ball/socket joint for any signs of looseness or roughness. Then pack it with grease & put the boot back on.