Creeking when turning steering wheel

[kenneth mccoy]

Has anyone experienced any creeking when they turn their steering wheel? I only here it when I am pulling in or out of a parking space or slowly turning onto a road.

 

[gwrabbit]

Could be a lot of things.

I had a popping/creaking noise coming from the front and it ended up being my struts.

My car does make some very strange noises when it gets really cold out but it goes away once its warmed up.

 

[kenneth mccoy]

Struts were replaced last month.

 

[Irish Pride]

Typically, a creaking while turning will be a bad strut mount/bearing.

-Chad

 

[LilCop2002]

Yup... Got an appt to drop mine off next week to get it checked. (Working nights and stuff sucks)

 

[Johnbigdog]

If you want to look into it yourself further, buy a tool called a stethoscope (a manual one). It looks like that tool that a doctor uses to listen to your lungs/heart,, but it has a long sender metal probe to transfer noise to your ear.

You can have someone duplicate the noise and you can use the tool to listen for the noise in the part that is making the noise.

 

[usmc363]

Refreshing an old thread with the same issue looking for some confirmation. I replaced front struts, rear shocks and installed H&R springs. Immediately after, I got creaking noise when turning left and right. After reading through forums, I figured this was due to me re-using the strut top bearing (204k miles).
Went ahead and replaced lots of worn out joints while I was at it. I replaced both front strut bearing, both front sway bar links, both lower control arms (for the ball joints), both lower control arm frame bushings, and both tie rod ends. I also also greased the strut bearings thinking these might also creak with dry rubber. While everything feels like it was brand new from the dealership, I STILL have the creaking. The only thing left over is the bottom spring isolator on the strut. Could that need grease? Not sure WTH this is but it is very annoying as you can imagine.

 

[SM105K]

It is probably the steering wheel assembly. Mine does it too.

 

[usmc363]

It is probably the steering wheel assembly. Mine does it too.

Did yours start immediately after a modification to the suspension geometry too? If so, I guess lowering it may have put more stress on the steering joints...It really sounds like it is coming from the struts/springs, but I'll give it a closer look/listen this weekend. Thanks.

 

[SM105K]

Did yours start immediately after a modification to the suspension geometry too? If so, I guess lowering it may have put more stress on the steering joints...It really sounds like it is coming from the struts/springs, but I'll give it a closer look/listen this weekend. Thanks.

No. Mine has done it since I bought it at 52k miles completely bone stock. 93k miles now...still sounds the same with all the mods. Including two front alignments.

 

[Zpak]

Same here, last 50K miles or so. I really only notice when I’m parking with the wheel at full lock.

 

[FiveLeeter918]

Typically it's going to end up being the spring perch isolator. Get a can of spray lithium from your local hardware store and turn the wheel full lock and spray all around the bottom of the spring. Take it for a drive and see if it stops. If it does, that's your issue.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Blaster-White-Lithium-Grease/50337278?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-hdw-_-ggl-_-PLA_HDW_214_Automotive-_-50337278-_-online-_-0-_-0&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=CjwKCAjwsMGYBhAEEiwAGUXJaaIgFQbcVNNqcce4HjkfCDIqA5g7EgI4ZVt-KxrDu9A06W65XaakQhoCBjwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

You can also test it broad scale by going through a touchless car wash. If it stops squeaking while the suspension is wet/soapy, then it's a bushing somewhere.

 

[usmc363]

Typically it's going to end up being the spring perch isolator. Get a can of spray lithium from your local hardware store and turn the wheel full lock and spray all around the bottom of the spring. Take it for a drive and see if it stops. If it does, that's your issue.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Blaster-White-Lithium-Grease/50337278?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-hdw-_-ggl-_-PLA_HDW_214_Automotive-_-50337278-_-online-_-0-_-0&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=CjwKCAjwsMGYBhAEEiwAGUXJaaIgFQbcVNNqcce4HjkfCDIqA5g7EgI4ZVt-KxrDu9A06W65XaakQhoCBjwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

You can also test it broad scale by going through a touchless car wash. If it stops squeaking while the suspension is wet/soapy, then it's a bushing somewhere.

Thanks! This is definitely my next step since it is literally the only thing I didn’t grease lol. (Bottom) I’ll try this weekend.

 

[Bluezone]

This is a long shot. I'd check everything else if everyone else is suggested as well. My steering rack went in my car. The creaking was due to one of the tie rod boots developing a crack in water got into the steering rack. So everything got Rusty and the steering wheel was creaking from the excessive force it took to move the rack. So have a good look at those boots and any other potential water leakage points. Just to be safe cuz steering racks aren't cheap on these things.

 

[usmc363]

This is a long shot. I'd check everything else if everyone else is suggested as well. My steering rack went in my car. The creaking was due to one of the tie rod boots developing a crack in water got into the steering rack. So everything got Rusty and the steering wheel was creaking from the excessive force it took to move the rack. So have a good look at those boots and any other potential water leakage points. Just to be safe cuz steering racks aren't cheap on these things.

Appreciate it, but it literally started right after I changed springs and struts. It’s gotta be related.

 

[SeanDev]

Mine in both my SEL and interceptor sedan was from the sway bar link. Only when parking or backing out I heard a strange clank. Turned out both times the sway bar link joint had failed.

 

[usmc363]

Mine in both my SEL and interceptor sedan was from the sway bar link. Only when parking or backing out I heard a strange clank. Turned out both times the sway bar link joint had failed.

Interesting, I put new away bar links on just in case afterwards, but mine started right after the spring and strut install.

 

[usmc363]

Tried some WD-40 on the lower isolators and it seems to decrease, so looks like I will be buying some lithium grease to apply.

 

[FiveLeeter918]

Tried some WD-40 on the lower isolators and it seems to decrease, so looks like I will be buying some lithium grease to apply.

great to hear!