# 2001 prius: steering column sqeaks in hot weather

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-prius-steering-column-sqeaks-in-hot-weather/3401>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [August 20, 2007, 6:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-prius-steering-column-sqeaks-in-hot-weather/3401 "2007-08-20T18:50:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![A\_Goodwin-Landher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47c2d/32.png) [@A\_Goodwin-Landher](https://community.cartalk.com/u/A_Goodwin-Landher)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 6:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-prius-steering-column-sqeaks-in-hot-weather/3401/1 "2007-08-20T18:50:20Z")

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The steering column on my 2001 Prius squeaks when it is hot outside. The sound is most noticable when making a turn. My mechanic greased the base twice. The sound goes away, but only for two days then it returns. What is happening? What may need attention/fixing?

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**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 7:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-prius-steering-column-sqeaks-in-hot-weather/3401/2 "2007-08-20T19:12:04Z")

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Someone else asked a similar question about the Prius last month.

See here:  
[http://community.cartalk.com/posts/list/185609.page](http://community.cartalk.com/posts/list/185609.page)

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**Author:** ![A\_Goodwin-Landher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47c2d/32.png) [@A\_Goodwin-Landher](https://community.cartalk.com/u/A_Goodwin-Landher)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 12:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-prius-steering-column-sqeaks-in-hot-weather/3401/3 "2007-08-21T12:28:49Z")

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The car has 99,000 miles on it and has been making this noise since around 80,000. Don’t feel I can reationalize this as a new car sound.

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**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 5:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-prius-steering-column-sqeaks-in-hot-weather/3401/4 "2007-08-21T17:58:21Z")

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It sounds like a belt is worn. They tend to stretch when it’s hotter outside. I’d see about getting the drive belts replaced.