Grinding in the steering wheel

[quarterboy25]

I have noticed that when I turn the steering wheel, I get this grinding feel. I also makes a little noise. I checked the power steering fluid and everything checks out. Any suggestions on what it could be?

 

[ret]

Does it sound more like a metal on metal grind? I would start with checking wheel bearings. Just jack the car up and see if you can wiggle the wheels... not the whole axle and everthing, but just the wheel. If you can't, they are probably good, although they can be going bad and just not bad enough to wiggle yet. It also may be bearings in cv joint. While the car is jacked up, see if the boots on the cv joints appear to be ok and not leaking grease.

I'm sure there are other things too, but those two are probably the easiest to check yourself and not too expensive to fix yourself or have someone else fix.

 

[Gloffer]

If this happens at low speeds (driveway) and close to the steering limits, the grinding noise you're hearing can be from the bearings at the top of the front struts.

I originally thought I had a power steering problem, but when I replaced my original struts at 120,000 miles with new KYBs the grinding noise went away.

Take the plastic caps off your front struts upper mounting points and with the engine on and SHO in park, turn the wheel while listening close to the front strut mounting point. If this is your problem it will be obvious.

<small>[ August 01, 2002, 04:08 PM: Message edited by: Gloffer ]</small>