99 steering wheel noises

Sometime while going over bumps I get a rattleing noise that seems to come from the steering wheel. Also while turning around in my driveway, the wheel makes a singing sound as it turns. I read in another thread that a loose nut in steering wheel was a common defect with some camrys. Does this sound like it could be the problem? Also how much would the dealer charge for tightening it up? Would a reputable local mechanic be qualified to fix this with the air bag in there and all?

The rattling noises you are hearing when you go over bumps are most likely caused by bad strut tower insulators. These usually go bad about this time for the 1999 model. My Camry needs to have the whole tower replaced, but the first thing that went bad was the insulators, and it caused the car to rattle over bumps really bad. The steering problem you're having could possibly be the power steering pump going bad, although then again, it could be the nut that you are making reference to. I've never heard anything about that problem, although I'm sure there is a local mechanic who could be qualified to work with the steering wheel and air bag system, I'd most likely take it to a dealership somewhere to get it fixed. -- Just to be on the safe side. Although I'm not sure how much it would cost to fix, I'm sure the labor is what will cost you the most. It will probably take them at least a hour or so to get to all of that beneath the air bag assembly.

Thanks for the response. I should have mentioned in my original post that the strut tower bushings were replaced at about 50k miles because of the rattles over bumps. I now have 86K. Are you referring to the same parts? Strut tower bushings at the very top? This sound is different than the noises from the strut towers. Seems to be in steering column or under dash area.

Yes, I was making reference to the same parts. If you've already had these replaced then I would advise you to take it to a dealer somewhere nearby and have them check it out.

Update on rattle in steering.

I found the problem. Under the dash on the steering column there is a universal joint. Inside the joint there was a rubber ring (about the size of a large men's wedding band) that became dislodged from within the joint. This ring acts as an isolator to prevent metal parts from touching together as the shaft turns. Going over bumps would allow the u joint to rattle. I managed to partially slide the joint apart enough to get the rubber ring back inside the joint. The car is like new again. Took me about 1.5 hours to get it back. If I had slid the joint apart initially it would have taken about half hour.

I heard the singing noice come from the bottom of the steering column where it inserts into the chassis. I didn't dare to loose the bushing to inspect for I didn't know what it's going to be and to do. Do you know how is it?

I heard the singing noice come from the bottom of the steering column where it inserts into the chassis. I didn't dare to loose the bushing to inspect for I didn't know what it's going to be and to do. Do you know how is it?

I found the singing noise coming from where the steering column goes through the floor. Just had to spray WD40 around the collar where it meets the floor.