When I turn my wheel, there's a plastic on plastic like scrapping noise. It happens when the wheel is turned to either side from the center. Any ideas as to what this could be? Vehicle's a 2000 Pajero. Thank you!

 

put some petroleum jelly between where the steering wheel and the column touches

 

Just had a look at it again, and the steering wheel is not touching the column. The noise is coming from the upper part of the column, near the steering wheel. Could some dust or sand gotten in there by any chance? Thinking about blowing it out with compressed air, but then again do not know how useful it would be.

 

Check your power steering fluid level. If its low the pump and rack will make a noise and that noise travels up the column to the steering wheel.

 

Thanks! Just checked the fluid level, and it was a wee bit under the MAX mark. I topped it up, but unfortunately the noise still hasn't gone away.

 

Try lubricating the steering colomn.

 

i wasnt jokin try the jelly, wont hurt.It fixed someone's problem b4.

 

I'm giving that a try, thanks!

 

my 2001 montero limited had same issue, sprayed a little wd-40 where the steering colum goes through the firewall. problem solved.