A vehicle can develop a noise that is tiny in terms of decibel output. However, that noise can be huge in terms of annoyance delivered. I have a noise like this on my 1991 Mitsubishi Montero. Well, had a noise like this. The steering wheel would squeak as it turned past a point on the column.

I assumed the fix for this involves removing the wheel, getting new hardware to hold it to the column, and going over everything with lubricant or graphite. All I had to do was apply some petroleum jelly to a q-tip and swab it behind the steering wheel.

Problem solved, and somehow I didn’t break anything… that I’m yet aware of.