Now that winter has set in with its chilling bite, this symptom has shown up in several topics. A loud, sporadic, crunching, groaning, noise when turning the steering wheel can be caused by the upper rubber spring pad rubbing against the inside of the strut tower. It occurs more often in colder weather and especially on cars that have lowering springs that have had the upper mount of the front struts moved outboard to return the camber back into the -1 degree spec. It is not a damaging or fatal situation, but rather a distinct annoyance and embarrassment. A simple solution is to provide some lubrication to the area of interference by using some silicone grease (Sil-Glyde). I turn the wheels to each side and apply some grease to a rubber gloved fingertip. I then follow the "doctor's orders" (line from Caddyshack) and insert my finger into the tight confines of the upper region of the inside of the strut tower.
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Scott
1991, 253K miles, glass hood, police grill, SVO shifter, Catz fogs,
K&N, 73mm MAF, Superchip, PP Y-pipe, Borla cat-back, 190 lph pump
Eibach/Tokico/polyurethane, SHO Shop front & rear strut braces,
16x7.5" Moda R1, 225/55ZR16 Bridgestone RE730, -1 deg camber x 4,
Class II hitch, Silver award at the SHOklahoma Car Show