steering column bearing

[NOMAD327]

I have a 99 legacy obw with 155,000 miles, mostly driving around town. Lately there's a rubbing sound coming from just below the steering wheel, but not all the time, happens more early in the day. Is there a bearing there to service, or is it something in the turn signal or clockspring mechanism?

[nipper]

Does it sound like plastic rubbing? can you feel a hesitation in the wheel turning?

[NOMAD327]

Can't feel it with you fingers, you just hear it and it's more like a metallic rubbing sound

[nipper]

There is a flex joint in the column under the hood. Soak it with wd40 and see if it goes away. This is just a test and not a cure. The universal joint at this age can start to seize up

[NOMAD327]

I oiled it up and gave it a day and it made no difference. My belief is there is some sort of bearing at the upper end of the column, just have to figure out how it's serviced? Thanks for the interest nipper!

[nipper]

Well it is more of a bushing then a bearing. remove the plastic trim from the steering column and see if you can narrow it down to the shaft or the clock spring.

[SubieDaddy80]

I also had an issue one time where a chunk of the turn signal switch broke and got wedged between the steering wheel and steering column making the same sound. Is it that high up or lower down?