Hi Scotty, I love watching your YouTube videos!  

After two of my newish vehicles were totaled consecutively 2 years in a row by two different male drivers who ran stop lights and T-boned my vehicles and my 96 Honda Accord that was loaned to me from a friend was stolen. After my string of bad luck for 3 years, I didn’t have much money left to shop for a newer vehicle. I found a good price on a my Lexus RX350 which you mentioned has a solid reliability review.  I bought the used 2009 Lexus Rx350 FWD about 1-1/2 years ago with 179,000 miles. 

About 3 weeks ago, I started hearing a chirping if I barely adjust my grip with the steering wheel towards the leftside only and also if I slowly back up from a parking spot from either direction I hear a slow groan as I crank the wheel left or to the right. 

I just replaced all 4 struts about a month ago. I had the power steering fluid level checked and it was reported to be at a normal level but I’m going to visually inspect it for myself tomorrow ‘when and if the sun comes out’ in Tacoma WA. The sway links and belts are reported fine from the last garage I took it to, so I’m trying to start with the most inexpensive troubleshooting and then go on to the next possible fix.

I wanted to see if you think I should, first, attempt to lube the steering column to eliminate the mild chirping sound and if so, is it easy enough for a monkey to do (me)?  But the groan is giving me concern that it will be a more costly fix. 

Thanks for your best guesstimate and assessment of my car issue. 

P. S. I’m planning to sell the car after the first of the year so I don’t want to sink a lot of $ into it. This year, I have to travel between 5 schools as a special Ed teacher and the gas cost is killing me so I am looking for a used 2014 RX 450h to replace it with.   

Thanks 🙏 

Stacy Landas