There are plenty of threads on failed auto steering column extension/adjust, but I had a handful of interesting noises from mine the other day, although it continues to extend/adjust automatically just fine.

A few times last week, upon inserting the ignition key which normally begins the automatic column adjustment, it seemed to hesitate and also made a weird squeaking sound briefly, then it moved fully to its memorized position.

It only did this in really hot days, over 95F, and hasn't done it in the last few days at all.

So I am wondering two things:

1) Is this the sound of some impending failure that can be avoided by some type of maintenance/adjustment?

2) Is there any lubrication that should be done to the adjustment mechanism?

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It's probably your "cable insert" failing. The shaft that extends and retracts it is a wound up cable like a weed eater drive shaft. It frays and gives up the ghost but not after making some sounds. I just replaced mine two weeks ago. Bought the new one on ebay for $35, 1 hour change time from start to finish.

 

Thanks, that's what I was suspecting.... no big deal though as I plan to replace my steering wheel and repair the column shroud soon anyway. So I'll just pick up a cable as part of the maintenance.

Since you just did it, any tips/tricks/gotchas you noted in replacing yours recently?

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Sorry for the late reply, been pretty busy. Very straight forward job. Drop the lower knee panel, bottom column panel and the two nuts need loosened ( not removed) to lower the column then the motor just unclips, replace cable and re clip and push motor all the way forward ( towards rear of car) put everything back. Should work for another 20 years.