Steering noise

[Phokus]

Gonna address a few maintenance things this weekend;
I noticed theres a creaking/knocking noise when I'm stopped and turning the steering wheel left and right

any ideas for what it might be?

 

[TYSHO]

What other symptoms do you have? Does your steering wheel shake when you apply the brakes at speed?

 

[Phokus]

Nope; not experienced that yet

The steering wheel is a bit off in a straight line though. It's off to the right a bit but other than that I think its normal other than the noises at a stop

 

[TYSHO]

Is it a pop or a knock? It can possibly be the plastic sway bar end links, if you have those. I would jack the front end up and check the condition of the inner and outter tie rods, as well.

 

[Phokus]

I'll have a peek down there this Friday
I'm asking to have an idea of what to look at.

I will be swapping the front end links though

 

[TopGunnYFZ]

Im having similar issues but i get a pop. I havent been under it to really check it 100%

 

[lowc]

reach under the dash on the drivers side and grab the steering shaft then turn the wheel back and forth if you feel it pop then it may be in the steering shaft. the creeking could posibly be neglected greese in the front end

 

[TYSHO]

The creaking can also be the tie rod end to knuckle, metal on metal contact. I eliminated this by installing new knuckles and tie rod ends. You can put HD grease in there, but it will be creaking in just a few days.

 

[220ksho]

creaking while turning can also come from the strut mount bearings.

 

[Phokus]

So I had a peek at the car yesterday. Look what I discovered under the strut tower covers..

Whoever installed it left a nut off
Surely that makes a creak.. and should explain why my steering wheel was off to the right too.

Where can I get a replacement nut thats like the others or can I just get any old nut that can fit with a washer?

 

[luigisho]

Where is the stud? How long ago was this installed? You can get a good automotive grade nut and washer from the auto parts store. They can help you get the correct size.

 

[Phokus]

the stud looks like it sank down some

 

[luigisho]

Just wondering how long it's been like that and if the mount or bearing has been damaged. Only way to tell w/out removing it is bolt it up and see how it drives.

 

[kevinspann]

If the stud is down so far that its not in the hole....the mount is gonna be damaged.

 

[jmpSHO2nd]

I looked at the car yesterday and the stud broke off so the mount is junk but he is going to be replacing all struts soon.

 

[kevinspann]

I hope he got a good deal on that car...

 

[luigisho]

I looked at the car yesterday and the stud broke off so the mount is junk but he is going to be replacing all struts soon.

Look at other bushings while the strut is out. Might have worn funny. And as to the last post...yeah i would hope that it was a fluke and not totally beating the h3ll out of it that caused it to break off.