Steering creaking....

[cmwwit]

Hello all, ok well here is another new noise on the SHO, boy they have alot of them! Anyhow when i turn there is a creaking/groaning sound from the drivers side front and the steering feels like it gets just a little bit harder to turn. Could it be bad subframe bushings or broken strut rod mounts? The steering rack was replaced by the previous owner. Thanks! BTW: 92MTX

 

[zach44102]

ball joints......

 

[St Louis SHO]

It could be the spring seat rubbing the strut tower too.

 

[rubydist]

I have that on my 'new' 92 and its because the strut mounts are shot, which allows metal parts to rub/squeak at the top of the strut. new strut mounts are on the way for me.

 

[typhoon5000]

I had that on my '95 when my outer tire rods got really bad. Replaced them and quiet ever since.

 

[zach44102]

i would start by turning the wheel with someone under the car to see if they can hear the noise coming from the strut tower etc...

 

[riden2low]

Got a ATX and having the same problem. And my noise is coming right from the top of the strut mount on the driver's side. Same as other post above. Getting new mounts and bearings as the struts were replaced by the previous owner and are fairly new.

 

[cmwwit]

Thanks for the replies, maybe i will get new quick struts for the front and see if that helps, it needs them anyhow. I hope the fronts are easier then the backs were to get on, they were a royal PIA...

 

[riden2low]

That's what I hear for rear struts. Never tried it yet. Maybe pay some one to do it to keep from getting stressed out. Lol

 

[Rubix]

Fronts should be easier if your rears were/are long bodies

 

[cmwwit]

Well the rears were actually not too bad, i just worked on it a few hours a night and got it done. It took me awhile i was VERY carefull removing the pinch bolts and i did not break them. Everything else came off ok just using a rachet, i had no air tools. Hardest part for me was getting the strut out of the nuckle after i had the pinch bolts out, they would jam up and not move. As far as the tower bolts, i had no trouble getting them off accessing them from the trunk. Anyhow i just went out to lunch and turned the wheel with my door open and it sure does sound like the creaking is comming from the strut tower....good diagnosis guys.

 

[nickdodd25]

Mine has the same problem but instead of a squeak it makes a clunking noise! What could that be?? And it is also on the drivers side.

 

[rubydist]

the typical symptom of bad strut mounts is clunking going over bumps. when they get bad enough that the metal parts hit all the time, then they can squeak/groan.

 

[ShadetreeSHOguy]

I agree with all the above posts.

What i would do is have someone look under the car when someone's sitting in it turning the steering wheel back and forth. Most likely it will not reproduce the sound unless there is weight on the steering/suspension parts.

Most likely canidates:

-Strut mount(bushings go to metal to metal, but will most likely clunk before squeaking/groaning)
-Outer tie rod end(joint being dried out)
-Upper or lower ball joing(joint being dried out)

Like i said before, make sure you dont have the car jacked up becuase that will take the weight stress off the ball joints and will most likely will not reproduce the squeek.

Good luck!

 

[zblackbeast]

I've noticed on these cars, at least with mine, that when the ball joints go bad the just make clunking noises from my tire havin a party without me.. I notice squeeking with the spring seat/strut mount.

 

[cmwwit]

Yes i think it definitly is the upper strut mount or rubber. i found an article on shotimes.com under care and maintenance that describes exactly what mine is doing and how to fix it. Im gonna give it a try.

 

[digeronimo34]

I have that on my 'new' 92 and its because the strut mounts are shot, which allows metal parts to rub/squeak at the top of the strut. new strut mounts are on the way for me.

Same thing here changed strut mounts and bye bye squeak.

 

[Toul]

I came to say strut mounts as well. The ball bearings that are housed in the flimsy white plastic part of the front strut mounts are shot. Mine got real bad one time, the plastic had cracked, made for a nice squeak/groan noise.

 

[SHOspazz92]

Ashley's car does this, Much worse since it has gotten cold. I'll eventually replace the strut mounts...but for now there is other things to worry about.

-Sam

 

[SHOtime2511]

It could be the spring seat rubbing the strut tower too.

This.