What would cause a 2001 Toyota Highlander steering wheel to squeak when turning the steering wheel sounds like something rubbing in the steering column?

Answer 1

I don't know exaclty, but I'm finding out the hard way! I have a 2001 Highlander and the steering wheel was 'squeaking.' I took it in and the shop lubed it for $25. This was summer of 2007. Since then the squeaking has come back and the steering wheel has gotten stiff. I just took my car in for new timing belt (scheduled maintenence) and found out that I'm now looking at $1,200 to fix the steering. If I could go back I would've gotten rid of it, but now I'm stuck with a big loan and a not so sound Highlander.