I have an '04 3.0 tip ultra-sport, and have noticed off and on a vibration and humming sound from the front-end at low speeds. I first noticed a few months ago (spring-time) here in Washington, but don't recall hearing it this summer and early fall, so I'm wondering if it has something to do with the colder, damper weather. Anyways, here are my clues:

-Steering wheel vibrates (not violently, but..) when accelerating, decelerating, and turning at low speeds.
-While vibrating, I also hear a medium/high pitched humming sound coming from the front-end (even with the windows up).
-This is while accelerating in first or 2nd gear, while in auto or tiptronic mode.
-Also while decelerating, starting at 20mph or so, whether I'm breaking or coasting to a stop.
-And it seems to intensify when turning either direction (while turning moderately or sharply at various (safe) speeds).
-Car sounds and feels normal at idle.

-I have enough psi in the tires, and check frequently.
-When I noticed the problem off/on early this year, I rotated the tires, but it didn't help the sound. Eventually it went away.
-Not sure if it's weather-related, but regardless I know this isn't normal. I know far from everything about cars, but know more than average.

Where should I start? Any advice and help is greatly appreciated!!!

Mark

 

I am having the same exact things happening. Everything is identical from the low speed noise to the turning of the wheel groaning noise.

I believe it has to do with the hydraulic steering system, though I do not know why the noise happens when traveling at slow speeds also.

So what I have noticed. Upon start up if you open the hydraulic fluid fill cap, you will see some bubbling. If you turn the wheel all the way right and left a few times and go back and look in the hydraulic reservoir, it will look like the head on a Guinness beer. (I do not recommend drinking no matter how tempting).

Then I have left the cap off and the car running for about 10 minutes. The bubbles went away. I put the cap on and no noise what so ever.

I guess people would say that in those 10 minutes, the car warmed up. But I have driven 30 minutes and still had the noise when I got to my destination.

So my very uninformed opinion it has something to do with air getting in the hydraulic system when 1st starting the car. It is directly related to the cold weather as well. Soooo maybe it’s a bad seal on one of the lines..... I am grasping at straws.... I need help!

 

I had the same issue and it turned out to be the power steering column. any leaks? check your fluid...

 

A buddy at work who used to work on NASCAR pit crews said it could very well be the power-rack. And he and his brother would be the best option for the labor, etc. But I called the dealership to get it checked, and the dumbass manager (who's a jerk from the past) asked what kind of tires I have. I said Toyo Proxes4..he said "oh well that's probably your problem cuz they're a harder tire, " blah blah blah. I said "uhhh...I've had these tires for two years...they aren't the issue." And I called their other local service department to purposely not deal with that guy. So I'll go in one of the two places tomorrow and get 'em to ride with me and see about it from there.

But I'll have 'em check the power-steering reservoir, etc and make sure there's no leak, despite the diagnostics not showing I'm low on PS fluid.

Anyone else any suggestions?