I cant say for sure but I would bet it is the steering shaft boot. The boot where the steering shaft goes through the firewall. I see this all the time at the dealership I work at. Makes a creaking or groaning noise, especially when cold, because all the grease wears off. You should just try peeling the boot back a little where it meets the shaft then spray some lube in there and work the wheel back and forth to get it evenly distributed on the boot. Happens on Toyota's ALL the time. Hope this helps

 

thanks, will try that!

 

BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!

never even thought of that! i'll definatly try that. thanks dude, you rock

 

Bringing this back from the dead....

Has this issue been resolved? Is it the steering column? Also what kind of grease would you spray?

 

Bump on the creaking noise when steering at slow speeds (like parking).

 

I get a creaking noise too sometimes. When I am making a turn from a stop I get what sounds like a creaking noise from my front passenger side tire....is this something serious that I need to worry about?

 

Problem never solved? I'm having it now in late winter in MI.