Civic Hybrid 2006 - 2011 steering squeak
Symptoms of the squeak
1. It sounds like rubber-on-rubber contact. It's a real rubber "squeak" and not a creaking noise like a dry door hinge. It's proportional to the input from your steering wheel. So when I make a quick movement, it sounds more intense than when I make a slow movement. The video was taken after a long drive with an outside temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. At an outside temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, I practically never hear it, unless the car has been sitting for, say, an hour after a long drive.
2. The chance of hearing it is greater the higher the ambient temperature and when the engine has been up to temperature and has had a chance to warm up the engine compartment and firewall. Humidity also seems to have an effect. The higher the humidity, the less likely the noise is.
3. It only happens with very specific steering wheel positions. Namely, around neutral when turning right (which is also the most common occurrence in practice, for example, at exits and roundabouts) and when almost fully turned to the right. Not in between. It's always there from the moment I turn in until I stop steering.
4. I only hear the noise when stationary up to about 30 km/h, never after that.
5. The "strange" thing is that when you're in the cabin, it sounds like it's coming from outside, but under the car, it sounds like it's coming from inside. The noise seems to be coming from the "center." So, "something" with the electronic steering system or the stabilizer bar.
6. I first noticed this around March/April of this year.
7. General suspension components are exluded from the issue (steering rack rubbers, tie rods and ball joints). The rubbers all have been replaced and greased professionally. The only thing not done is the fron sway bar bushings.
Tested
1. No play or resistance in the steering wheel or wheels.
2. No growling.
3. Steering is always smooth. I don't feel any vibrations or any sticking of the steering wheel.
4. No "clunk" or "thud" when steering.
5. I don't hear anything when driving over speed bumps or other bumps.
6. Power steering on or off has absolutely no effect on the potential for the noise.
Tried it myself.
1. The rubber where the steering column exits the cabin at the bulkhead is ruled out. It has been removed and greased. This was an issue with one of my previous cars. Unfortunately, not here.
2. The car has been jacked up to free the front suspension. The squeaking is practically gone. I think it's impossible that this is coming from the driveshaft, ball joint, and tie rods. These don't produce any noise. We confirmed this with two people.