So your car is making noise when you turn the steering wheel. To figure out the source of your problem, we need to dig a little deeper. Can you describe the noise? Is it a clunk, crunch, screech, squeal, whine, hum, clicking, grinding or popping? The front end of your car can make all of these noises for different reasons because it is so complicated and full of joints and mechanisms that carry the weight of your car and engine while still allowing your front wheels to spin and carry the engine’s power to the ground, travel with the suspension, and turn sharply to get you into that tight parking spot. Due to how complex your steering and suspension system is, it can be a challenge to figure out just where the source of the problem is. Below, we will describe where those grinding sounds, rubbing sounds, and creaking sounds are all coming from when turning the car.
Why does my car make a noise when turning my steering wheel?
If you are wondering “Why is there a whining, squealing, clicking, or grinding noise when turning my steering wheel?” then this first video is for you!
What causes a whining noise when turning?
If you get noises when turning your wheel at low speed it could be coming from your power steering system or your suspension. If you hear a whining noise when turning your wheel at low speed you could have a problem with your power steering pump. We’ve got a great article about whining noises your power steering pump can make for more information about that.
What causes popping noises when turning?
You may also get clunks, pops or creaks when turning at low speeds. Those noises are usually from suspension joints that are worn out or broken. Your suspension system uses bushings on joints that only need to move in 1 plane and ball joints in areas that need to have more flexibility. Since these joints carry the weight of your car and the impact of all the bumps in the road they wear out over time. When they do they allow the metal of your suspension components to rub on frame or attachment point on your car which can cause creak as you turn at low speeds. Pops or clunks are usually caused by very loose components that can jump around while turning or going over bumps.
Why does my car make a clicking noise when I turn the wheel?
Usually, if your car is making crunching, clicking, or humming and grinding noises at higher speeds indicates problems with bearings, CV joints or differentials. Crunching or clicking is often associated with a bad CV joint and happens during a tight turn. Humming sounds when turning at higher speeds usually indicate a wheel bearing is going bad and it hums during a turn because it is getting more or less load as the weight of your car shifts. Bad wheel bearings are important to get fixed right away as they can cause uneven tire wear and unpredictable behavior from your car. In extreme cases, they can cause your wheel to wobble or even fall off!
Why does my car make screeching, squealing or whining noises when turning the steering wheel?
If you hear any of these noises when turning your steering wheel they typically indicate a problem with your power steering system like a loose belt low power steering fluid. Your power steering system is a relatively simple system in your vehicle. It usually consists of the pump, usually driven by a belt on the front of your motor, the rack or steering gear, tie rods to connect the rack or steering gear to the knuckles where your wheels are attached, and hoses or hard lines to connect the pump to the gear or rack. Over time, some of the seals that contain the power steering fluid can wear down from normal use and cause small leaks. As the power steering fluid leaks out, your power steering pump can start to whine when you turn the steering wheel letting you know it’s low on fluid.
To quickly stop any leaks in your power steering system, use BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak. You don’t need to spend the time crawling around under your car or in the engine bay with a flashlight trying to determine where your leak may be. Simply add BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak to your power steering fluid reservoir and top it off with the recommended power steering fluid. The leak will be sealed as you drive! BlueDevil’s unique formula will soften and expand the seals in your power steering system stopping your leak, guaranteed! With your leak stopped, your power steering system will work like normal again leaving you with a quiet ride!
There are other less common noises your car can make while turning:
Why does my car make a scraping noise when I turn the wheel?
Scraping sounds when turning are often due to loose plastic pieces at the front of your car. These plastic shields are in your wheel well and under your under to help direct airflow to help your engine cooling system work and to keep water away from electrical components. Many times these plastic shields are secured with plastic clips that can easily brake allowing these shields to drag on the ground or on your tire during a turn which will sound like a scrape.
Why does my steering wheel make a rubbing noise when turning?
If you are hearing a loud rubbing noise when turning, it is likely that the problem is coming from the upper bearing of the steering wheel column. Another possibility is that the cover on the back of a steering wheel can begin rubbing against the covers on the steering column. This issue is usually more common in the summer months when the weather is warmer causing some car parts to expand due to the heat.
How do you know if you have a bad CV joint?
A bad CV joint will create a clicking sound rhythmic with wheel speed while turning a sharp corner.
What can happen if a CV joint fails
CV joints rarely fail catastrophically without a lot of warning. The clicking sound will start first and happen in easier and easier turns until you hear the sound even when driving almost straight. For most drivers, the sound and vibration get far too annoying to continue driving with and will replace the bad CV axle before it fails. There is the possibility of the joint separating which would make your car undrivable and could possibly damage other suspension components.
Why is there a ticking noise in my car?
Ticking noises usually don’t come from the steering system or steering wheel in your car. Ticking noises are usually associated with your engine as there are many moving parts that can tick inside your engine. Try reading our article about where engine ticking comes from for more information.
Why is my steering wheel clicking?
If there is a clicking noise coming from right behind your steering wheel that only happens when you turn they you most likely have a bad clock spring. The clock spring is an electrical connection that allows the buttons on your steering wheel, like your horn or cruise control, to work without having wires directly connected that could get twisted up when you turn your steering wheel. It’s a small spring on the wheel side that makes contact with an electrical race on the steering column side. If this spring breaks or gets stuck it will click as you turn your wheel.
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313 responses to "Why Does My Car Make Noise When Turning My Steering Wheel?"
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I have a 1999 Acura TL, and recently I’ve noticed kind of like-grinding noise (can’t figure out what kind of noise) when I first start my car and put it in drive, I turn the steering wheel both ways and it starts making this aweful rubbing noise. It does it when I don’t drive for a while, such as over night, after I get off work, etc. but I also have a light showing that reads” maintanence Require” would that have anything to do with the noise? Thanx in advance- Dimitry
Yes, the “check engine” light is probably related to the noise. You may want to have a diagnostic run on the vehicle so that you may pinpoint the cause.
I have an Acura tl 2004 makes a knocking sound when turning the wheel at slow speeds and I can feel it in the brakes like a bump in the tire. Do u think it’s the bushings that need replaced or bad suspension? Also when on the freeway the cars shaking. Especially when I hit the brakes gryying off the freeway
Sheri-
Thank you for asking about your Acura. Based on your description, we recommend bringing the vehicle to a certified ASE mechanic immediately for a proper diagnosis. You could be dealing with worn/damaged cv joints, or worse, bad wheel bearings. It is dangerous to drive the vehicle under this condition and should be fixed immediately.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hey got a steering dilemma, my steering wheel makes an audible sound and feel when I turn it to the left. Once it passes the hiccup it turns find. Also shaking when driving at higher speeds
Sandra-
Are you hearing a whining/humming noise or is it more of a grinding noise? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
The maintenance light is not the same as the check engine light. The maintenance is set up by the factory to fire around every 3,000 miles to remind you about routine maintenance like oil changes. The check engine light is set up to go off when there is an electrical malfunction which will trigger one of these codes. That’s why there are so many sensors and electrical components. They all help diagnose a problem. So check your owner’s manual to make sure which it is. If it is indeed the check engine, take it over to your nearest auto parts store (O reily, autozone, NAPA, etc) and they can run an engine diagnostic to see where the problem is coming from.
Awesome Clint, thanks for passing along this extra info to Dimitry!
-BDP
Making a hm when turning wheel fluid full
Tony-
Does the noise get louder when turning to any particular side? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi dunno if sum1 can help me I have a honda accord 2007 2.4…everytime I take the exit of a highway basically getting out with a high speed wide right turn
I hear (it’s gonna sound funny) but.. like shh shh shh shh sound til I bring the steering wheel to str8 position… But I’m on high speed so I’m confused a little could it be cv joints? Thx u
Pat-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Accord. It would be difficult to say what the issue is based on the sound you’ve described. It doesn’t sound like the cv joints are going bad, as you didn’t indicate any knocking, clicking or vibration. There could be uneven wear on the right side tire, creating that sound. Either way, it may be worth bringing the vehicle to a shop for a better diagnosis.
Thank you!
-BDP
That sounds like a slightly bent drive shaft rubbing or a muffler swaying over towards& slightly onto the driveshaft when the car is pivoting into hat particular turn position. Crawl under there h see if there’s a groove in the drive shaft. If there is, secure your muffler before it saws through it. It happened once.. learned my lesson.
hey im having this issue right now, what did you find out?
I hear a rubbing sound, when I turn left only.
Donna-
We have previously posted an article that should hlep you be able to better diagnose what is going on. The article can be read here: https://gobdp.com/blog/steering-wheel-noise/.
Feel free to comment at the bottom of the page with any additional questions.
Thank you for your comment!
-BDP
Hello I have a fwd car that makes a clicking wen inturn left and accelerate at the same time had outer cv joint replaced on right hand side but still doing it eany one have a clue
Howerd,
The sound you are describing does sound like a CV joint problem. It is almost always the outer CV joint that has failed in a front wheel drive application so it may be the opposite side CV joint that is the problem, or you may have a failed inner CV joint.
My car steering is making this sound when I am turning.should I buy steering likage oil or is it the shaft
Bukky-
Does the power steering reservoir seem to be low on fluid? What kind of sound are you hearing? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 95 civic ex. Last year my steering was noisy for a time, then I parked in the driveway & asked my friend to bring his friend to come look at my car. When he arrived he started my car to check it out & the steering wheel was just spinning, but not moving the wheels. It took him 5 minutes to fix. He didn’t speak English but I gathered that a bolt had come loose under my column. Yesterday my steering started making that noise again, a kinda gritty noise & grabbing then letting go. I parked at the store & looked around in & under the column & couldn’t locate what was loose. I started to back up, figuring I would see if I could take covers off & locate the bolt when I got home to my tools..nope I lost my steering completely right there in the parking spot. I have no idea what I’m looking for.
Thanks for asking for asking that question. I don’t see the answer and I have the same problem. I’m not worried about the light just want to know what the the problem was. If you figured it out please let me know. Thank you
I was commenting on Dimitri that had the moaning sound when turning the steering wheel either way, but only moans when warming up. After driving for 20 minutes or so it’s fine. It’s an 04 Toyota camry if that helps. Thank you
I have a ford 4wd had a power steering hose replaced it groans oñ lock on rhs but normal driving ok drives fine over bumps etc and drives straight otherwise just this groan when nearly lock
Wendy-
Based on your description, it sounds as though you are experiencing the beginnings of a power steering pump going bad. Replacing the power steering pump would be your best option in this instance.
Thank you!
-BDP
What was the issue mine is doing the same this morning??
I noticed a loud rubbing noise when I turn the steering wheel this last week-end. Stopped by an oil change place and they found that my power steering port was missing the cap. I have now ordered one. The dealer told me to put on a zip lock bag with a rubber band to hold it in place. Do you think this is ok?
I would recommend using something tighter to make sure nothing leaks out of the power steering reservoir.
-BDP
When I turn the steering wheel I hear and feel a grinding sound.
Is this dangerous, as I need to drive from Birmingham to Brighton.
The vehicle is a ford KA.
Kristina,
Good morning! Thanks for your question about your steering noise in your Ford Ka! I’m sorry that you are having problems with your car, but hopefully we can help. The Ford Ka has a know problem with having noisy steering. Many poeple seem to experience similar grinding or crunching noises as they turn the steering wheel and it can be fixed by adding grease to the steering joints or the universal joint in the steering column. Any mechanic should be able to help you out with that. Without looking at your vehicle it is difficult to tell if this is a dangerous condition so we do recommend you having a mechanic look at it.
We also would like you to check out our article about noises that can come from your steering wheel and there causes. You can read the article here: https://gobdp.com/blog/steering-wheel-noise/ . If you have any further questions you can comment at the bottom of the article.
Thanks again for your question!
BlueDevil Pro
Hi I was wondering why I or how I can fix the winding noise on my pt cruiser every time I turn my wheel? My steering was just fine a few days ago but I noticed a leak under hood so I checked my fluids n the power steering was the only one low.so I got some stop leak n topped it off with it but only took bout inch n a half of it.then the next day today I started it up n turned my wheel it started making the noise.then I drove around n it stopped then went to store for bout half hour n it started again but won’t stop again.please guide me the right direction, thank u
Kino,
Thanks for your question about your PT cruiser. Usually, it is a low power steering fluid level that will cause the whining you are hearing. If your power steering fluid is full and your leak is stopped and the whining continues you may have some air bubbles in your power steering system. Try allowing your engine to idle on level ground and remove the cap to your power steering fluid reservoir. This will allow any bubbles to be removed from the system and the whining to stop. The other possibility is that the low power steering fluid caused a little bit of damage to your power steering pump and the whining is an indication of that. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need a new pump immediately but it might be impossible to get the sound to stop without a new pump.
Hello I have a quick question. I drive a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica and live in Alaska and it’s -20 right now. When I turn on my car I hear a really loud whine coming from the steering wheel area. When I start driving and turn the steering wheel left and right the whining gets worse. I’m pretty sure my power steering fluid is full because they just changed my fluids with the last oil change a little less than a month ago. Any suggestions on what to do?? Thanks in advance!
Robert-
I would double check the power steering fluid level to be sure it has not become low due to a leak. If the level is still at it’s proper level then you may have to have the power steering pump inspected and possibly replaced.
Thank You!
-BDP
I have a 93 Honda civic cx. Hatchback i replaced the upper and lower ball joints on the passenger side and the outer tie rod ends on both side about 4 months and last week ita started making the same screeching noise (like a old rusty door opening) it was making before that stuff was replaced.. Which was the reason i replaced those parts… Any ideas what it could be.. Makes this noise when turning left or right and when appling the brakes also gdting out of the car..Car does not have power steering. Btw.. Any help would be helpful its driving me half crazy as this is my only vehicle at the moment..
James-
Thanks for your question about your Honda Civic. I’m sorry it is making noises, but it sounds like you’re on the right track with fixing suspension components. It sounds like you’ve got more worn out suspension components. The only things left to replace are your front struts or lower control arms. Most likely one of the bushings is worn or the rubber is rotted out causing the metal on metal noise you are hearing.
Our guess would be that it is the struts that are the problem as they are more susceptible to wear than the control arms. For a guide on how to tell where the noise is coming from, checkout our article on squeaky suspension here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaky-suspension/.
If you have any more questions, please leave us a question at the bottom of that article.
Thanks!
-BDP
I have a 2003 Chevy impala. Recently when I start her up she makes a whirring noise and when I turn the wheel she makes a rubbing/grinding noise. Do I need to add power steering fluid or…?
Ashley,
Good morning! Thanks for asking us a question on our article “Why is there Noise When Turning My Steering Wheel?”! The noises your hearing may be coming from a few different places so we would like you to start by reading our blog about the different noises your steering system can make here: https://gobdp.com/blog/steering-wheel-noise/
In your case specifically it does sound like you need to add power steering fluid. With your car off, unscrew the cap to the power steering fluid reservoir. It should have a dipstick attached to the bottom of the cap. This can help you tell if you are low on power steering fluid.
If this doesn’t stop the rubbing sound you are hearing when you turn the wheel please comment on the bottom of our article “Steering Wheel Noise” and we can try to dig deeper.
hello, I have a 2007 impala and when I turn the wheel I hear a click noise but also i have heard my tires squeal in the last day and they are fairly new tires. Can this be related?
To Jennifer:
Jennifer, thanks for your question on our blog! If your tires are new and still squealing while you are turning corners it might be because the pressure is low in one or both of them. Sometimes new tires can loose air quickly as they seat on the rim, or the wrong amount of air could have been put in at the shop, so it is worth a check. You should be able to find the recommended pressure for your tires in the owners manual. Start with making sure all 4 tires have the proper air pressure and see if that solves your problem. If that doesn’t fix it, then the clicking may be a few different things. A constant clicking during a tight turn your CV joints most likely need to be replaced and if its a single loud click your most likely need a new tie rod or other steering joint to be replaced and should have your car looked at by a mechanic to make sure its safe. I hope this helps you find out what’s going on, and please let us know if there is anything else we can help with!
I have a 09 chevy impala. And I hear a click or like a pop noise when I turn the steering wheel left to right. It does this when I’m in park and turning wheel back and fourth or when turning out of a parking spot. Doesnt do it when accelerating and turning. Please help
Dominique,
Thanks for your question about your 2009 Chevy Impala. The noise you’re describing sounds like a loose suspension component in your frontend. Since you only hear the noise when stopped or going slow the place we would recommend starting by inspecting your tie rod ends for play and wear. You can do this by securing your vehicle and lifting one front wheel of the ground at a time. Grab the wheel at 3 and 9 o’clock and try and move it back and forth. If you can feel play there you need to replace the tie rod on that side. If that isn’t your problem, the pop could also be coming from the ball joints on your lower control arm or your lower shock mount.
hi,
from last two days, when i turn my car left or right/ turn on round about my car starting beeping 3 times, on first beep the hand brake ON warning light comes on but as third beep noise sounds it disappears. I have skoda fabia 1.2 2003. I cant figure out what is the problem.
thanks.
To Junaid:
Junaid, thanks for your question! I’m sorry you have a confusing problem with your Skoda. It sounds like you have a low brake fluid level. The hand brake “ON” warning light is usually the same as the low brake fluid warning light and Skodas often are programed to beep 3 times if you have a low brake fluid condition to give you an immediate warning. It sounds like when you are going through round or turning a corner, the fluid is shifting in the reservoir enough to uncover the sensor. You can check your brake fluid level and make sure it is topped off with the recommended fluid, but since your brake system is such an important system we do recommend having your Skoda looked at by a professional mechanic.
I have a nissan lafesta 2005 when I turn left only you hear this soft rubber sounds
Please please please help me
Dave-
Thank you for asking about your Nissan. A rubbing sound when turning to a particular side could indicate that the wheel bearing on that side is going bad. We’d recommend having the vehicle looked at immediately before the situation gets worse.
Thank you!
-BDP
When I start my 1995 Toyota Celica in the morning (or when the car has been sitting in cold weather for a while) I hear a loud screech whenever i turn the wheel even slightly. as I ride this screech goes away as ( I assume) the car warms up. Any ideas on what may be causing this?
To Casey:
Casey, thanks for your question! I’m sorry your Celica is screeching. It sounds like you probably need to replace or adjust your power steering belt. Your power steering pump is powered by a belt that is driven by the engine crank pulley. If that belt is loose or needs to be replaced it can screech when it slips on the pulley. In the morning when the power steering fluid is cold and thicker, or when you turn the wheel it puts more load on the power steering pump, making it harder to turn the pulley which makes the belt slip and screech. You can check our our article about replacing and tensioning the belts on your car here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/. If you have any more questions please leave us a comment at the bottom of that article.
Hi. My Ford Fiesta (Latin America version) Makes a grinding noise when cold. First I thought it was the automatic transmission (AW81-40), since the noise starts when putting it in (D)rive or (R)everse. But later I found the noise also happens when turning the steering wheel left or right!!
The sound appears to be coming from the middle-lower “belt zone”.
The AT is low on fluids, but I think can be something else (I will refill AT fluid as soon I can).
Thanks a lot!
Peter
Peter-
Our first recommendation is to get the Transmission Fluid back to its proper level as many vehicles will act up when the level is either too low or too high.
We invite you to read our article regarding steering wheel noise to help you better diagnose the sounds you have been noticing. The article can be viewed here: https://gobdp.com/blog/steering-wheel-noise/
We hope this helps you find a solution.
-BDP
Hi I have a alfa Romeo brera and I have noticed when I go round a left hand bend no matter what the speed I get a noise similar to a grinding noise. This makes me think it could be the break disks maybe being warped or possibly a cv joint? Any ideas? Cheers in advance 🙂
Nick,
Usually broken CV joints are known to make more of a clicking or crunching noise while turning, and usually only during very sharp turns. It does sound more like a brake disk problem. Most likely while you are turning the brake pad is shifting on the brake disk and coming into contact with the unused section of the brake disk around the outside or inside causing a grinding noise. Often times having your brake rotor resurfaced can solve this problem. This may also be an early indication that your brake pads will need to be replaced soon.
My son has a 2007 Jeep Compass. While sitting with engine running, if you turn the steering wheel even slightly you hear grinding sound. If you put our hand on the end of the strut you can feel vibration. Is this serious?
Eldon P.
Eldon,
Thanks for your question! I’m sorry your Jeep isn’t work like you would like it to. This is a difficult problem to diagnose without looking at your vehicle. The vibration you feel in the strut may just be due to your engine running, or they may be a sign your have a loose or worn suspension joint. The Jeep Compass is known to have suspension components in the front end that need to be replaced more often than expected. We recommend having your mechanic put your jeep on a lift and inspect the front suspension to check for loose or worn joints.
-BlueDevil Pro
my step daughters Chevy PT cruiser has developed a front end squealing noise that only occurs in a straight line, it also appears to go away as the car warms up, sounds like a belt issue to me but I’m no expert
Simon-
Most likely your daughters PT Cruiser has a loose or worn accessory belt. Her car may have multiple belts, or only 1, but it usually can be changed easily. Before changing your accessory belt, inspect it for obvious wear or cracking. If it appears to be in good shape, then the tension may need to be adjusted. Refer to your cars owner’s manual for proper belt tensioning procedures.
-BDP
I have a 2015 nissan altima and I have whistle in my steering
Pat-
Thank you for asking about your Nissan Altima. A whining/whistling noise from the power steering would typically be the result of air bubbles trapped in the system. Try bleeding the system to get rid of any excess air and then top the system back up to the proper level. If the power steering fluid appears to be low, you may have a leak, which would allow air to get into the system. If that is the case, we recommend using the BlueDevil Power Steering Stop leak. You would start by adding 1/3 of the bottle into your power steering reservoir and make sure the system is filled to the proper level. You should expect to start seeing results after 100-200 miles of driving.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi my car makes a whining sound when i turn the steering wheel exactly like the power steering explanation. I think its leaking also, what could i do about it?
Wayne,
Thanks for your question! It is possible that all of your problems are related and the whining you are hearing is simply from a low fluid level due to the leak. The best way to get this fixed quickly and easily would be to purchase BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak and add it to your power steering fluid reservoir. Then top off the reservoir with the recommended type of power steering fluid or automatic transmission fluid. There should be a label either on the power steering fluid reservoir cap, or in your owner’s manual indicating the proper power steering fluid for your vehicle. You can purchase BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak here: http://bit.ly/13eKpuJ
I just got a 2008 chevy Malibu LTZ, and when I’m driving and make a right or left turn it makes a single clunk noise, its not the blinker, cause it dose it when I don’t use the blinker..when I took it to the dealers, they lubricated the upper strut mounts. but it still dose it. I called them and they said to bring it back this Thursday to look at..I’m a woman and would like to have an ideal of what all they should be looking at, just in cause they think they can pull the wool over my eyes…Then car is still under warranty until 11/29/2014… so I want very much for them to fix this while its still covered….Please Help…Thank you
Tammy,
Thanks for your question! I’m sorry your Malibu is clunking when going around corners. As you read in this article. the clunking could be coming from a variety of sources, including the strut mounts. It is difficult to tell where the noise is coming from without driving your car, so our advice would be to trust your mechanics and make sure it is taken care of before your warranty runs out. The clunk could be from your strut mounts, a control arm bushing, ball joints or tie rod ends. I’m sure your mechanics will do a great job taking care of you!
-BlueDevil Pro
My 2013 Toyota has been making a couple noises, I’m wondering if they could be related or if they’re two separate issues. First, it has been making a grinding/vibrating when I’m cruising it’s not consistent but has been getting worse, the dealership said the pilot bearing was wearing out and I would need to replace my otherwise good clutch. The other noise is a load clunking noise when I take a tight turn. Are these two separate issues or could they possibly have diagnosed the clutch problem wrong?
Christie,
Thanks for your question! As with any noise in your vehicle, it can be difficult to diagnose without driving your vehicle our selves! It does sound like the problems may be related. If your Toyota is a front wheel drive, or all wheel drive vehicle the clunking noise when you’re turning right may be your CV joint on that side. A bad CV joint can also cause vibrations at cruising speeds. Our recommendation would be to have the clunking noise when turning fixed first and see if that fixes all of the problems you are having. It is possible your pilot bearing is bad as well, but usually they last the life of the clutch and throw out bearing. If you do have to get your pilot bearing replaced it is smart to have the clutch and throw out bearing replaced at the same time since you are already paying for the labor of removing them. Thanks and let us know if you have any other questions!
-BlueDevil Pro
Hello,
I am having a major problem! First of off I have a 1993 Honda Accord. Well when I turn my steering wheel my car make a scratching noise! It really sounds like it needs lubrication or something! I was thinking WD-40 or something. I don’t know whats going on with it but I want it fixed ASAP! different people have been telling me different things. Like I need a replacement of my CV Boot, CV Joint, Drive Axle, Wheel Bearing, Ball Joint, or Tie Rod. I don’t know whats going on. As you can see I don’t know much about cars..!!! Please Help me!!
Joi,
Thanks for your question, and I’m sorry your Accord is making funny noises. Since you described it as a scratching noise rather than a crunch, clunk or creek it sounds like you may just have rust on your brake rotors that your brake pads are coming into contact with. You may be able to solve this issue by having your brake rotors turned or replaced. This would also be a good time to check your brake pads for proper wear. If the sound is happening while your vehicle is not moving it is possible that you have a worn ball joints or tie rod ends. A bad wheel bearing will sound more like a whir or hum and will change with the vehicle’s speed. You can check your CV boots for tears, they are the rubber accordion style boot that will be over each end of the axle going from your transmission to the center of the back of your front wheels. If you find small tears (lass than 0.5 inches) in them you can consider just replacing the boot. If there are large tears or parts of the boot is missing you should consider replacing the whole CV joint or axle. Let us know if you have any other questions!
-BlueDevil Pro
Hi! I have a 2004 Ford Escape. In the past couple of days its developed a whine sound from the right side of the engine that gets higher pitched as it accelerates. Also it makes a similar whine/grind noise when turning to the left or right. My first thought is something with the power steering, but there is no check engine light. Any thoughts?
Anya,
Thanks for your question! It sounds like you are on the right track! If you get a similar noise when accelerating and turning the steering wheel it sounds like your power steering fluid level is low. If you open your hood, you should be able to see the power steering fluid reservoir. It will be on the right side of your engine bay, probably near the fender. There should either be a level indication on the reservoir as a “MAX” and “MIN” line, or a dip stick under the cap. If you discover your fluid level is low, add 1/3 of a bottle of BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak to your power steering reservoir then fill it to the “MAX” line with the appropriate type of power steering fluid. You can find out what type of power steering fluid to use in your owner’s manual and you can purchase BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak at your local auto parts stores or online here: http://bit.ly/13eKpuJ . Let us know if you have any other questions!
-BlueDevil Pro
I have a 2003 Chevy S10 ZR5. Whenever I turn the wheel in either direction I hear a squeaking noise. I’ve replaced the shocks but the noise is still there. I’ve also greased ALL of the fittings. So what should I try next? (Besides turning the radio up to drown out the noise). Could it be the control arm bushings?
Jeff,
I’m sorry that your S10 is giving you problems. It does sound like your problem is more of an annoyance than something that will cause failure down the road. If any of the ball joints in your steering linkage do not have grease fittings that could be the problem. Also, you are correct that it could be your control arm bushings. The caster in your steering knuckle will cause some movement of your control arm when you turn the wheels. It may also be your sway bar links or sway bar bushings as that will also move slightly as you turn your wheels. If you really want to quiet down your suspension you may consider finding polyurethane replacement bushings rather than OEM rubber.
-BlueDevil Pro
Hi. I have just purchased a peugeot 206 lx 2000. However when I turn the steering wheel there is a plasticky scratching sound, almost as if there is something caught in the steering wheel column. Is this the power steering fluid or something more serious, please? Thank you in advance
Olivia,
Thanks for your question, and I’m sorry your Peugeot is making funny noises. It depends where the sound is coming from as to what the problem is. If the sound is right behind your steering wheel it may be the clock spring making noise. The clock spring is an electrical connection that allows the steering wheel to turn while still making an electrical connection. If this is broken it may cause your steering wheel buttons to stop working or your airbag light to come on. If the noise is accompanied with a stiff spot in your steering it would mean the joint in your steering column is going bad and should be replaced. If the sound is from down at your wheels it may be due to loose steering joints or some of the plastic shrouding from your wheel well contacting your wheel. Let us know if you have any other questions!
-BlueDevil Pro
I have a 2011 toyota camry sedan, there is no noise at all when moving forward with wheels all the way turned either left or right (like in a u-turn) but when backing up and turning the wheel all the way on either side it makes a low grinding like noise. To me even though I know absolutely nothing it sounds like maybe a tire could be scraping against something on the body but thats just what it sounds like I have no idea the actual problem.
Naiomi-
The fact that the noise only is happening when the wheels are turned completely in either direction would lead us to believe the tires are rubbing against something. You may want to check for any lose plastic or other various blockages around the tire wells.
-BDP
Hi, I have a 2004 Vauxhall Corsa that has started making a grinding noise when i turn right. Do you have suggestions what it may be please?
Dani-
Many people seem to experience similar grinding or crunching noises as they turn the steering wheel and it can be fixed by adding grease to the steering joints or the universal joint in the steering column. Any mechanic should be able to help you out with that. Without looking at your vehicle it is difficult to tell if this is a dangerous condition so we do recommend you having a mechanic look at it.
We also would like you to check out our article about noises that can come from your steering wheel and there causes. You can read the article here: https://gobdp.com/blog/steering-wheel-noise/ . If you have any further questions you may comment at the bottom of the article.
-BDP
My power steering makes a small sound from the steering column but, it doesn’t do it the when I start driving. I need to drive for about ten minutes before it starts and it gets a little louder after driving longer. I don’t feel any problems in the steering, just the annoying noise. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Fred,
Thanks for your question and I’m sorry your vehicle is making noise. If it is you power steering system it may simply be that you need to flush your power steering fluid. New power steering fluid will have the correct additives and fresh lubricants that may help quite down your power steering system. There also is a variety of other problems the front end of your vehicle can give you and noises it will make. You can try reading our article about all those noises here: https://gobdp.com/blog/steering-wheel-noise/
If you have any more questions, feel free to leave us a comment on that article as well.
I have a 2008 VW bug. When I turn the wheel on a corner my car makes a hum sound. It also shakes when I step on the brakes to stop. Usually at higher speed.
Any idea?
Lukie,
Thanks for your question and I’m sorry your VW Bug is making strange noises. It is possible that your problems are related, but they may also be two different problems. First, the shaking when you step on the brakes is almost certainly due to warped brake rotors. When your brake rotors are out of round they can cause your car to shake when stopping from higher speeds. You usually feel it most in the brake pedal or steering wheel. The best solution is to get new brake rotors or see if your old rotors can be turned which will flatten them back out.
Your warped brake rotors could be causing the humming when you are going around corners so we would recommend getting the brakes fixed first and seeing if that fixes everything. If you are still having the humming problems in corners, you might have a bad wheel bearing. You can read our article about diagnosing a bad wheel bearing here: https://gobdp.com/blog/bad-wheel-bearing/.
If you have any more questions for us, you can leave a comment on the bottom of that article.
hi I have a 94 honda accord and it’s making a squeaky noise (like a mattress bouncing) when going over bumps or turning the wheel, what could this be, I know it’s not power steering
Stephen,
Thanks for your question about your 94 Accord. It sounds like the noise you are hearing is coming from your front suspension since it happens on bumps and when you turn your steering wheel. Your steering components and suspension joints move around quite a bit while you are driving and these joints and their rubber bushings can wear out over time causing the squeaks you are hearing. To get a better idea of where the noises are coming from you can read our article about all the noises the front end of your car can make here: https://gobdp.com/blog/steering-wheel-noise/.
In your case I would start by checking the steering joints since you also hear the squeak when turning your steering wheel. It may be worth having a mechanic check out your steering components as they can be difficult to diagnose and replace.
HI I HAVE A 2004 JAGUAR S TYPE R,
I HEAR A RHYTHMIC GRINDING NOISE FROM THE FRONT CABIN AND CAN HEAR IT OUTSIDE AS WELL,ON ACCELERATION AND UNDER LOAD, WHEN I TURN RIGHT IT GOES AWAY, WHEN I TURN LEFT ITS STILL THERE, I CHANGED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND STILL HEAR THE NOISE, THE ROTORS HAVE A DIP ON THE LIP ON BOTH SIDES. THE DRIVER SIDE THE WHEEL IS CLOSER TO THE CV AXLE OR BAR (BUSHING ON BOTH SIDES ARE BUSTED AND RIPPED), ALSO WHEN I WAS CHANGING THE BRAKES WITH THE WHEEL STILL OFF, I MANUALLY TURNED THE THE ROTORS AND COULD HEAR A SCRAPING SOUND ON BOTH SIDES, IT BECOMES LESS NOTICEABLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS, BUT I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT IT COULD BE.
THANK YOU
UPDATE:
ITS NOT A GRINDING NOISE ITS A METALIC SCRAPING NOISE
Richie,
Thanks for your question about your Jaguar. It sounds like you are on the right track with changing your brake pads, but it sounds like you may also need new brake rotors. The sound you are hearing may be the new pads rubbing on that dip in the lip of the old brake rotors you still have on there. Putting on new rotors with your pads may stop the grinding sound you are hearing. Also, based on your description we do recommend getting those torn bushing replaced immediately. Having bad bushing can cause your suspension components to fail quickly and when they do could cause serious damage to your car and put you in a dangerous situation. Also, the worn bushings may be allowing the suspension to shift enough to allow the axle or brakes to come into contact with things they shouldn’t be causing the noise you are hearing.
I have a 2001 GMC sierra 2500hd with an 8 in lift. When in reverse turning my wheels to the left I get a high pitch whining sound. If I stop turning then turn again it doesn’t happen. I have checked the power steering fluid which is full. Any advice
Lonnie,
Thanks for your question about your GMC truck. It sounds like a great rig, and I’m sorry its giving you problems right now. The whining noise you are hearing does sound like it’s a power steering problem since it changes as you turn, then stop. If you turn your wheels to full lock your power steering pump can whine as it tries to push your front wheels against the steering stops. If you hear the noise try turning the steering wheel back a few degrees so your wheels are off the stops to see if that stops the noise. Since it is happening only in reverse it may also have to do with your front wheel bearings. Assuming along with the lift you have oversized tires, your wheel bearings may wear out more quickly and the whining you are hearing may be an early indication of that. For more information about failed wheel bearings you can read our article about it here: https://gobdp.com/blog/bad-wheel-bearing/
Hey great article…I tried to read over other questions…a few seen to be close to my issues… we own a 2008 Honda civic…recently(maybe 3 months ago) it began making a noise that can only be described as- the slow creaking sound of the boat…in the scar comparison scene of Jaws…it’s then accompanied with a rubbing sound…both go away after a few minutes of driving our at least become less noticeable. The noises will return if you have to stop at a light. As far as anything being affected…it tracks straight while driving and the ride is still smooth…I even thought that something had gotten caught under the car like a small limb that was causing the problem….however in checking this out I found that I could barely hear the sound outside the car but can hear it much louder inside…what are your thoughts?
William,
Thanks for your question about your 08 Civic, and great description of the sound its making! I’ll be honest it’s a difficult sound to diagnose but we have 2 thoughts for you. It’s possible that you have a worn or dried out suspension bushing or shock absorber mount. Your shocks and suspension arms are mounted on rubber mounts that over time can dry out or at least get more brittle. Sometimes they can make a rubbing or moaning sound as your suspension moves while you’re driving. You can replace the old rubber ones with polyurethane bushing to help quite them down. If the sound you are hearing is more rhythmic and dependent on vehicle speed our guess would be that you have warped brake rotors. If your rotors are warped, especially at lower speeds, they will cause your brake calipers to slide from side to side as the warped section of the rotor passes through your brake pads. As you drive a little while your brake pads will open up slightly allowing the warped section to pass through without causing any movement, but once you stop your brake pads will again be closed on the rotor starting the process over. If this is the case you should feel pulsation or vibration in your brake pedal when stopping, especially from higher speeds. Hope that helps!
-BlueDevil Pro
Hello, i have a 04 ford escape and when i turn the steering wheel my car is making the sound it would make if it were low on power steering fluid. I went out and got a oil change being that my car was due for one and i assumed it was low on the power steering fluid. The mechanic stated i had fluid in it but it continues to make this sound and i feel is getting louder.
Madeline,
Thanks for your question! You’re on the right track checking your power steering fluid level if you are hearing a whining noise coming from the passenger side of the car. If you discover you have a full power steering fluid reservoir and are still hearing the whining noise consistent with engine speed, it could be an indication that your power steering pump is worn out and in need of replacement. To check it, you can remove the belt on the pump by loosening the belt tensioner with a wrench and try spinning the pulley by hand. If the pump is difficult to turn or the pulley has any play in it then you need to get a new power steering pump.
I have an acura tl 2004. It started out when my car was cold a noise of grinding could be heard. It now happens either way I turn and more frequently. As I was backing up today while turning the steering wheel there seemed to be a catch of the wheels. Could this be the cv joint?
Andrea,
Thanks for your question about your Acura! Usually CV joints are described more as a crunching or clicking noise but they could cause your wheel to catch like you described if they are really worn out. Grinding noises usually means your brake pads are really worn down and have started grinding on your rotors. If they get bad enough, it’s possible that worn brakes could cause the catch you described. Either way, we recommend having your TL checked out by a mechanic soon to make sure it’s safe to drive.
I have a 2010 Chevy Cobalt. I hear a clicking in my steering wheel when i turn. Kind of sounds like the blinker is on, but it only clicks when i’m turning. what could this be?
Lisa,
Thanks for your question about your Cobalt. The click could simply be the automatic off switch clicking as you turn your steering wheel if you only hear the noise while your blinker is on. This also could be an indication that the clock spring behind your steering wheel is going bad. The clock spring is an electrical connection that allows your wheel to turn without getting the wires that go through it getting twisted up.
I have 2 years old Skoda fabia, I have a problem with my steering noise,( like metal collision) at upper part of steering, when I turn my steering left PR right
Jagatnath,
Thanks for your question about your Fabia, and I’m sorry it’s giving your problems. From your explanation it sounds like the noise is coming from your steering wheel. If that is the case you may be having issues with your clock spring or blinker shutoff switch. Those are difficult problems to diagnose without removing the steering wheel so it may be worth having your car checked out by a mechanic. If the noise is coming from outside the car by the wheels or engine you should have it checked by a mechanic soon as it may be a safety issue with your suspension.
My 2010 Toyota Tacoma recently started making a squeaking noise when I turn the wheels to the right, even when not moving. I can also here this noise when I hit speed bumps. Thought possibly just power steering but when I am driving straight at low speeds I can hear what sounds like metal clicking and its louder when turning left. These noises are coming from the front left side of the truck. Hub Bearing and tie rod are just a year old and there is no play on my tire. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Chris,
Thanks for your question about your 2010 Tacoma. If your bearing and tire rod have recently been replaced, that may rule out a few causes, all though, it is possible that one or both was incorrectly installed and failed prematurely. If your truck is 4 wheel drive, I would recommend checking out the CV joint as they often making clicking sounds as they are failing. As for the squeak it could be any number of suspension components from the shock mounts to the A arm bushings. For a better understanding of what it could be, try reading this article about noises the front end of your truck can make: https://gobdp.com/blog/steering-wheel-noise/
I have a 04 Hyundai Elantra. It makes a loud humming noise, seems to be coming from the front drivers side, can’t pinpoint it exactly though. It seems to happen mostly in the morning on my way to work but stops by the time I get there and doesn’t do it on the way home.
I recently had the CV joint replaced on drivers side to deal with vibrations, and both front brakes/rotors to deal with squealing. The joy of a 10 year old car, fix one thing you uncover the next thing.
Any idea what the humming noise could be?
Adam,
Thanks for your question about your Hyundai. It seems like the humming noise you are hearing could be due to a bad wheel bearing on that side. It should change pitch with driving speed if that is the case. For more information, you can check out our article about bad wheels bearings and how to tell if you have one here: https://gobdp.com/blog/bad-wheel-bearing/
I have a ’99 town car (rear wheel drive) with 24k miles on it that is making a grinding noise when I turn at low speeds (does it when the car is sitting idle). It is particularly noticeable to the right side, but goes silent when the wheels are straight and it is starting to be heard when turning the wheels to the left now as well. Some Q&A places suggest it may be a dry tie rod end, but with such low mileage, does that sound reasonable?
WD,
Thanks for your question about your Town Car. It does sound like the noise you are hearing is coming from an old suspension bushing. Even though your car has very low miles rubber suspension parts do dry out over time. Just like tires can dry rot from sitting, tie rod ends, shock mounts and suspension arm bushings will get dry and hard causing creaks, grinds and clunks. It is reasonable for a 15 year old car to be having these types of problems.
Good day,
I have a 11 months old Peugeot 208 GTi recently about 2 months ago it made a noise best described as clunking/knocking noise while making a 90 degrees turn at intersection over uneven road at low speed. No noise on straight even on rough road. Also no noise during high speed cornering even though over bump and dips. Need your help to enlighten me so I can have some ideas on the possible problem. Thanks!
Daniel,
Thanks for your question about your Peugeot. It’s difficult to diagnose the noise you heard if your car hasn’t made it again. Our best guess is that it was part of your suspension being moved to extreme angles due to the tight turn and rough road. It is possible that you have some worn suspension components but without your vehicle making the noise again it will be difficult to tell which are bad. You can also read another article we have about all the other sounds the front end of your vehicle can make here: https://gobdp.com/blog/steering-wheel-noise/
Hi, I have a 2004 Renault Clio and when i turn the steering wheel, once I start turning it back it makes a noticeable clicking noise… I have yet done anything to it, anyone know what they think the most probable cause is?
Thanks in advance
Josh-
When you notice a “click” while turning your steering wheel it usually indicates worn shocks, suspension bushings, ball joints or tie rods. These noises can also be accompanied by wandering, poor ride quality, or possible vibrations.
-BDP
Hi,
I have an 02 ford Taurus that’s making noise from my power steering pump. I did the work myself by changing the pump twice, and the belt, so I think I know its not the pump. the car keep making a grinding noise, none stop and gets worst when I speed up or turn the wheels. Can you please help, I can’t stand it anymore, but I wanted to do the work myself.
Johnson-
It is possible that you have a bad wheel bearing. Please see this article that we have previously posted: https://gobdp.com/blog/bad-wheel-bearing/
Hopefully this will help you find a solution.
Thanks,
BDP
My 2011 Toyota Prius makes a clunk noise when I turn back and forth at low speeds, usually under 18 mph but when I drive at higher speeds the clunk noise goes away when I turn my steering wheel left and right. When I hit a bump I hear a noise as well. I lifted my car and looked underneath at the axle shaft and see no signs of rips or leaks. My car is currently at 82,000 miles. What do you think it can be? I’m guessing my struts are going out? Thank you for your help!
Richie,
Thanks for your question about your Prius. It sounds like you’re on the right track with a suspension issue. It is possible that your struts need to be replaced, and that would make sense with when you are hearing the noise. It is also possible that your lower ball joints or tie rods are worn out as they could cause the noises you are hearing at the speeds you described. It will be easier for a mechanic to diagnose the problem with your car on a lift so it may be time to bring your vehicle in.
I have a Mazda 3, and I’ve had problems with a creaking noise coming from the passenger side for a few months that usually occurred when I was going at slow speeds and making sharp turns such as when I am parking in a parking lot.
I took it to one mechanic and without inspecting it, he listened to it and said that he thought that I had driven through high water and the water got into a ball joint and dried it out. He suggested that I could fix the problem with a lubricant. This scenario is quite plausible because I have driven through high water more than once.
Ultimately, I took it to a place that did suspensions (and supposedly had a good reputation) and was told that it was a bad link. They were correct about one aspect of the problem since I had a clunk that occurred when I drove over speed bumps that disappeared when they replaced them. However, I thought the creak had also been fixed because I didn’t hear anything after I drove it away or for an entire month. Now, it is back, and I wasn’t told that they lubricated anything. I primarily noticed it after we had very foggy and damp weather.
Any thoughts?
Suziqe,
Thanks for your question about your Mazda 3. I’m glad you got one of your problems solved. It sounds like the creaking is due to a bad bushing somewhere in your passenger side front suspension. Driving through high water can dry out bushings and cause small amounts of rust to form around them which would make the creaking noise you are describing. The most likely sources would be your strut or lower control arm bushings. These parts are not designed to be lubricated so if you are able to get any grease or oil in there, it will only be a very temporary fix. A good mechanic should be able to help you discover if it is your strut or control arm that needs to be replaced.
Hello,
I have a 2012 Chevy Sonic that makes a rapid and repetitive “beeping” type sound that only occurs when turning right. All fluid levels are as they should be. Do you have any suggestions as to what this could be?
-Thank you
Chris,
Thanks for your question about your Chevy Sonic. The beeping sound is most likely an indication that the vehicle thinks something is wrong during the turn. If any warning lights come on the dash board that could give you more of an indication as to what the vehicle thinks is wrong. If your car is equipped with a crash detection or avoidance system it may be malfunctioning during a sharp corner giving you a false indication of a nearby vehicle. It may also be a malfunctioning vehicle stability system that mistakes your right turn for a sudden maneuver.
If you don’t have any dash lights along with the beep, we recommend taking your vehicle to a dealership as they will best know the systems of the car that will cause the beeping, and hopefully cover the repair under warranty.
Hi, I have a 2001 neon dodge and today I made a sharp turn and it sound like something poped and then my car started making a funny noise when I drive
Hello! I have a 2003 Hyundai XG350. Last March I had new tires put on and I think it was the front left bearing replaced as recommended. Lately I have noticed that I have a “groaning” type noise that I originally thought was just road noise that seems to be coming from that front left wheel. It gets louder as I accelerate to coasting speed and is then constant. The only thing is that the noise is only present when the wheel is straight or turned to the left. If I turn the wheel even slightly to the right, the noise goes away. Any idea what this specifically is? Thank you!
Brandon,
Thanks for your question about your XG350. There might be a few reasons for the noise you are hearing. Before we get into it, I do recommend you reading another article of ours about noises the front end of your car can make that goes into a little more depth. You can check out the article about front end noise here: https://gobdp.com/blog/steering-wheel-noise/.
In your case, it seems like there are 2 possibilities, assuming your new wheel bearing was installed correctly. The first, and probably simplest is that your front tires are simply starting to wear in a single direction causing them to make more road noise. If you don’t rotate your tires regularly, maybe every 5000 miles, they can start to wear in a single direction. This can happen even more quickly on a front wheel drive car. Oddly worn tires can make a lot of noise and even sound like a bad wheel bearing. Try rotating your back tires to the front and seeing if the sound goes away.
It is also possible that you have a bad CV joint on the front left side. Usually these make more of a clicking when going around sharp corners at low speeds, but sometimes when they are worn they can make more of a hum or low vibration at high speeds. This would also explain why the noise goes away when you are turning right.
If you have any more questions please leave us another comment at the bottom of the article listed above.
Hi, I have a 2002 Golf and recently my car has been making this grinding noise, like something is rubbing against the tire but only on the left side, when I turn right it goes away but when i turn it just a little to the left it makes this loud noise. I’ve tried to switch the tires on the front but it didn’t help.
Dan-
We recommend looking at the wheel bearing or CV joints based on the noise you are describing.
-BDP
I just purchased a 2010 Honda Odyssey (last night). While driving it back home, I noticed some extra whirring/revving noise while making turns (just sounds like the engine is working harder, not a squeak or squeal). Even when the car is in park, when the steering wheel is turned, a whirring/revving noise comes from the passenger side of the engine compartment (but I do not think it is coming from within the engine). It does not appear that the engine’s RPMs are changing. Any ideas?
Thanks for answering questions!
Colin,
Congratulations on the new Honda, I hope you and your family are enjoying it! It sounds like the noise you are hearing is coming from your power steering pump. If the pump bearings are starting to fail, or your power steering fluid is low your power steering system can be noisy and make a whirring sound. For a quick overview of how your power steering system works you can read our article about it here: https://gobdp.com/blog/why-is-my-car-making-a-whining-noise/.
The first thing to do is to check your power steering fluid level. The reservoir is at the front of the engine bay on the passenger side. It is clear so you should be able to see the fluid inside and make sure it is above the “full” line. If you have a low power steering fluid level, add BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak (available here: http://bit.ly/13eKpuJ) to the fluid reservoir to seal the leak you have, then top it off with the recommended power steering fluid. If you don’t have low power steering fluid, it is possible that a power steering fluid flush and fresh fluid can help quite down your pump. If that doesn’t fix your problem, your power steering pump is likely failing and will need to be replaced.
If you have any more questions please leave us a comment on the bottom of the article mentioned above.
Hello,
Hopefully someone can help me shed some light on an ongoing diagnosis I am performing before I consult a mechanic. Yesterday I noticed that while pulling through a parking lot my front end made noise when turning to the left. It only seems to happen at low speeds when coasting, applying a small amount of gas, or when stopped. Reading through the article, it seems to be a squeak or a squeal.
The best way I can describe it the sound a squeaky door makes, but amplified and sounding more like a whine. Because I am unable to differentiate it between The #1 and #4 sounds on the article, my hunch was either something do with power sterring, or my shocks need replacing (would make sense, because I felt like I ran over something on the interstate a few days before I first noticed the sound).
Upon investigating the power steering, I found that the levels were very low (about 1/3 – 1/2 the distance from the end of the dipstick to the cold mark when doing a cold measurement). Today I went to an auto store and filled up the reservoir with fresh power steering fluid, but it still made the sound on my drive back home. Could it be some other issue? Or would anyone suspect the new fluid just needs time?
Ryan,
Thanks for your question and all the information! The first thing to do would be to determine if the noise is coming from the engine or your suspension. Try putting your vehicle in park or neutral and revving the engine a little bit. If the noise does not change with the engine speed then the sound is most likely coming from your shocks or suspension as you said. Based on your description, it seems most likely that that this is your problem. If you suspect your suspension is the problem, try reading our article about squeaky suspension to try narrowing down the problem to a single component. You can read the article here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaky-suspension/.
If the sound changes with engine speed and is more constant or rhythmic you are probably on the right track with your power steering system. It is possible that you have old power steering fluid and simply need a flush and fresh fluid to quiet down your power steering pump. If you continue to notice a low power steering fluid level you should add BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak to the reservoir next time you add fluid to seal the leak while you drive. You can pick up BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak here: http://bit.ly/13eKpuJ.
If you have any more questions feel free to leave us a comment on the bottom of the article listed above.
I have been hearing squealing in the front end of my 2009 Kia Rio, first thing in the morning when it is cold and when I turn out of my driveway then it stops. I have had my belts tightened and recently replaced as part of normal maintenance. Yet the sound is still happening. Could it be the power steering fluid or something else?
David,
Thanks for your question about your Kia! For a little more information about your vehicle’s belts and how to diagnose noises you can check out our article about squealing belts here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/.
Since you recently had your belts tightened it is most likely that one of the accessories is causing the noise. Power steering pumps are often a culprit for this especially in cold weather when the power steering fluid is thick and difficult to pump. Start by checking your power steering fluid level. If the level is low, add BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak to the reservoir then top it off with the recommended fluid. Also if your power steering fluid is dark brown rather than red or light brown it may be time for a power steering fluid flush.
If that still doesn’t fix your problem, please leave us another comment on the article above.
Hey read your ad an it seems very helpful,i was curious i have a 1994 dodge Dakota an recently changed the ball joints on both sides an still keep hearing a screech an sqeaky sound coming from the driver side whenever I turn or even as im driving i hear it can u help me out with what possibly could be wrong it comes an goes thank u so much for your help
Josh,
Thanks for your question about your Dakota. If the screeching sound changes with engine speed then you most likely need to have your engine drive belts adjusted or replaced. You can read our article about squealing belts here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/.
The noises you are hearing also could be from your suspension bushings. For more information on how to diagnose a noisy suspension try reading our article about that here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaky-suspension/
If you still have questions please leave us a comment on the bottom of one of those articles.
I have a 2010 chevy camaro and when im idling my car I move my stearing wheel to the left it makes a popping or clunking noise. When I move it to the right its not as loud. Thanks in advance..
Pete-
Thank you for your question about your steering noise in your Camaro. I’m sorry that you are having problems with your car, but hopefully we can help. Many people seem to experience similar grinding or crunching noises as they turn the steering wheel and it can be fixed by adding grease to the steering joints or the universal joint in the steering column. Any mechanic should be able to help you out with that. Without looking at your vehicle it is difficult to tell if this is a dangerous condition so we do recommend you having a mechanic look at it.
Thanks again for your question!
-BDP
Hi,
I have a Kia Picanto Automatic front wheel drive,
After repairing a faulty gearbox, it started making a grinding noise when I turned right.
I told the mechanic that they must have damaged the CV joint which he denied.
The noise only occurs on the right hand side, while I have my foot on the accelerator. Strangely the noise just stopped by some sort of miracle, and then to my disappointment started up again a few days ago.
I had my car serviced by the Kia agent, and they said there was nothing wrong with my CV joints.
Could you help with a suggestion?.
Best Regards
Alan
Alan-
From the way you described the noise we would first recommend looking for a worn or damaged CV joint but since you have already ruled that out we recommend checking for a worn wheel bearing (https://gobdp.com/blog/bad-wheel-bearing/). It is possible that when your mechanic worked on the Kia something wasn’t put back properly or something is loose causing the noise you are hearing. You might start by taking it back to the mechanic to have him check his work, even if it wasn’t near where the noise is coming from.
We wish you the best of luck.
-BDP
I have an 02 Toyota Highlander with 165,000 miles on it. It has been kept in great shape. Recently, I’ve been noticing the following new symptom.
When I am traveling at a low speed and make a hard turn, such as pulling into my garage or at a public parking garage with spiral ramps, I am noticing a noise resembling a zipper or boat sail being unfurled from the steering column as the wheel returns to center/straight out of the turn. This has been happening with a left or right turn. No clicking per se, just a winch like noise from the wheel. What might be occurring?
RW,
I’m sorry to hear your 2002 Toyota is making strange sounds. It sounds like it is a problem with your power steering pump based on your description.
The first thing to do would be to check your power steering fluid reservoir. If your fluid is low, it will be difficult for the belt to turn the pump causing it to slip and squeal. If you discover your power steering fluid is low, add BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak to your power steering fluid reservoir to seal your leak, then top off the system with the manufacture’s recommended type of fluid.
The last thing you can do is remove your power steering belt by loosening the tensioner and slipping the belt off the pulleys. Try spinning the power steering pump pulley by hand. If it is difficult to turn, you may need to replace your power steering pump. Also while you have the belt off, it is a good idea to replace it since a squealing belt will wear much more quickly. When you put the new belt on, tighten the tensioner until you can only deflect the belt by about 1” at the center of its longest span. This is just a ball park tension but it should get you close enough to be able to drive it.
Hopefully this will help you solve the problem.
-BDP
I have had the front left wheel hub bearing replaced due to ‘play’ in the wheel and a clunking sound / shake in vehicle. I now have a whining / hum from the steering when turning left or right (especially when cold) in drive or park. Would this most likely be the power steering or something else ado with the wheel hub(s)?
Marge-
Based on your description it is likely that you have a power steering pump that is low on fluid. We recommend checking the fluid level and potentially adding the recommended amount of BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak to prevent the problem from happening in the future.
-BDP
The sound coming from my 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee seems to be coming from the front end and it has a crunchy grinding sound to it. The boots both have holes in them as well. What is odd is that this sound only happens during the first 5 mph or so then goes away and there is no other corresponding sound? What do you think it may be? ( i have tried to let someone start off as I have gotten down and listened and its hard to say if it is front end where to begin..?
Rick Please email me thanks…
Thanks for your question about your 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee! I’m sorry the front end is making funny noises. The crunchy grinding sound combined with holes in your CV boost sounds like you have bad CV joints in the front of your jeep. When the boot is torn on your CV joint, it will allow the grease inside be slung out while you are driving. This leaves the CV joint to have a lot of metal on metal contact combined with road grit which gets in through the hole. All this usually leads to crunching or grinding noises while you are driving, especially at low speeds or while cornering. I would start by replacing the CV joints since the torn boots definitely warrant replacement and see if that fixes the noise you are hearing.
For a little more information about broken CV joints, and other noises your front end may make, check out our article about that here: https://gobdp.com/blog/steering-wheel-noise/. If you have any other questions, please leave us a comment on that article.
Thanks!
-BDP
Out of the blue, my 2006 Mits Endeavor makes a churning/humming noise when turning the wheel and starting to accelerate. It’s more pronounced when I am a complete stop and turn the steering wheel. I appreciate your opinion on this, Thank you
Mario,
Thanks for your question about your Endeavor. The way you described the sound and it being louder at a stop it sounds like you are having power steering problems. Most of the time noisy power steering systems are a result of low power steering fluid. For a quick read on the noises your car might make, including power steering issues, check out our article on power steering noises here: https://gobdp.com/blog/why-is-my-car-making-a-whining-noise/.
If you do discover a low power steering fluid level, add the manufacture’s recommend power steering fluid to the reservoir along with BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak. BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak will seal the leak so you do not end up with a low power steering fluid level again.
If that isn’t your problem, please leave us a comment on the bottom of the article above and we’ll try to help you from there.
Thank you. The fluid was low and I added more as suggested. However, after a day, the noises came back but now noticed stains on the driveway. I bit the bullet and took the car to the shop. You were right, it was the power steering but more specifically the pump needed to be replace. Total cost for parts and labor was $700 🙁
I have a 2000 handa accord. 3 days ago it started making a grinding sound in the left front side. I makes the noise parked and off. It will not start till somtime after started. Will also be louder the slower I go. Turning the wheel I hear it and not when the brakes are applied. When off and parked with ebrake on I can push of the side of the car and hear it. I need to know as much as I can so I know what I need looked at. I got lucky I have a tune up scheduled at the need of this month! Asap if possible. Thanks
Thanks for your question about your 2000 Honda Accord. The fact that your vehicle is making the same sound even if It is parked and off leads us to believe it is probably a suspension component that is making the noise. For a quick rundown on the different suspension and drive components you have in the front end of your car and the noises they can make please read our article about front end noises here: https://gobdp.com/blog/steering-wheel-noise/.
Failed suspension components can make grinding noises as you turn your steering wheel or go over bumps. The part that fails is a rubber bushing or joint the tears or rips and allows metal to rub on metal causing a grinding noise. For a quick description on how to identified a failed suspension component you can read our article about squeaking suspension here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaky-suspension/.
If you don’t find any broken or worn suspension components, it is possible the noise is coming from your CV joint. This would make sense since you said it sounds quieter as you drive fast and you hear it when you turn. CV joints usually click or hum when they are broken, but if its in very bad shape, it could make a grinding sound. The best way to check for a bad CV joint is to look at the axle coming from your left front wheel. There will be a black rubber accordion style boot near the wheel and also near where the shaft enters the transmission. If either of the boots are torn, ripped, or greasy you should have that axle replaced.
It is also remotely possible that it is a brake issue. Most of the time, grinding noises are associated with brake problems, but since you hear it with the vehicle stopped and parked it seems unlikely. A mechanic should be able to very quickly tell you if that is the problem by looking at the front brakes. If it turns out to be a brake problem, new front brake pads and brake rotors will solve the problem.
The last possibility that is always worth checking if you are hearing a grinding noise is to make sure all the plastic shielding on your Accord is secure. With your car parked, try tugging and pushing on the black plastic shielding in your wheel well and under your front bumper and engine. If any pieces are loose they may be dragging on the ground or wheel causing the noise you are hearing while you are driving. If you find any pieces that are loose you can secure them with cable zip ties or screws.
If you have any other questions, please let us know by leaving a comment on the bottom of one of the articles listed above.
Thanks!
-BDP
I have a 01 Oldsmobile Alero. When I turn the wheel it makes a grinding noise mostly on the passenger side. I had the brakes, calipers and roaders changed because they needed to be and hoping that was the reason for the noise but it wasn’t. Any idea what it might be?
Aaron-
First of all, we are sorry to hear that you are still having problems after having all of that maintenance done to your Alero.
To try and answer your question, it seems most likely that the sound is coming from your brake pads. Your Alero has sealed wheel bearings which means they are pretty difficult to install incorrectly, so that is most likely not the cause. New brake pads can often make some funny noises. The new pads will be a little larger since they are new and will contact the brake disk in different areas so that wear in process may make some noise. Lastly, your brake pads and calipers actually float a little bit on the brake caliper mount so they can move around as you are making tight turns or braking. If the new brake pads and caliper slides were not properly lubricated they may be sticking and rubbing as you make tight turns causing the sound you are hearing. It may be worth asking your mechanic if he lubricated all those parts when he installed your new pads.
We hope this helps,
BDP
Hi, i have a 2001 toyota tacoma crew cab 4×4 trd package and everytime i turn the wheel all the way to the left or right it makes a high pitch squeaking,scratching,noise what could be the problem?
Kevin-
The squealing sounds like it might be coming from the belt of your power steering pump. As you are turning the wheel, it may be making the power steering pump work harder to help turn your wheels. As the pump is loaded it can make the belt slip as it is trying to turn the power steering pump pulley. That slipping belt will almost always sound like a squeal or squeak. We also encourage you check out our article on all the noises the front end of your vehicle can make and where they come from to help you identify your problem; it can be read here: https://gobdp.com/blog/steering-wheel-noise/
Thanks again for your question,
BDP
I have a Hyundai Elantra 2000. The car has good brake pads and there is loads of power steering fluid in it. However, it makes a grinding like noise when I turn left but also when I have just started the car and moving in a straight line.
Michelle-
We recommend that you have your wheel bearing checked out.
We previously posted an article that will help you understand a little more about this; it can be read here: https://gobdp.com/blog/bad-wheel-bearing/
Thank You!
-BDP
I have two questions. I own a 2008 bmw 550i. I recently replaced my tires and since then have noticed a noise when I turn my wheel to the left at slow speeds. Secondly, my car is seriously low due to the sport package. I have damaged my front bumper twice now by pulling up to any type concrete slab they have in parking spots. Is there a simple alteration I can do to my car to raise it up at least an inch so that I do not continue tearing up the front end?
Emily,
Thanks for your question about your BMW 550i. The first thing I would do would be to check your tires size and make sure they put the proper size tire on the front of your car. There should be a sticker on your driver’s side door jamb listing the factory tire and wheel sizes. With the sport package you may have different size tires on the front of your car than on the back and the tire shop may have overlooked that. To check the tire size they put on look for numbers on the side wall of the tire. They should read something like “235 45R17” and should match the door jamb sticker.
If that isn’t the problem, you can check out our article about front end noises your car can make to narrow down what the noise might be. You can find that article here: https://gobdp.com/blog/steering-wheel-noise/.
As far as the ride height, it is usually a pretty expensive ordeal to raise or lower a car. It would include new shocks and springs along with an alignment which can be expensive both in parts and labor. If your suspension has any adjustability you can keep it in “normal” or “soft” mode rather than “sport” or “touring”. It does sound like your car may be abnormally low if it is hitting parking curbs and your tires are rubbing in corners. Some BMWs with the sports package have had problems with suspension collapsing which would cause a harsh ride and an abnormally low ride height. It may be worth taking your car to a BMW factory mechanic and having them check the condition of your front suspension.
Thanks again! If you have any more questions, please leave us a comment on the bottom of the article listed above.
I drive a 2006 Cadillac SRX, it is having a continual clicking/thumping/clacking noise coming from the middle of the front end when braking and turning. To describe the noise better, it sounds like something is hitting the cooling fan because of the perfect timing of the noise It does not sound like it’s coming from the tires at all but the very end of the middle of the front end. It does not happen while driving only when braking and turning. I have searched and searched online and cannot find anything that sounds like a match to what I am experiencing.
Any Ideas???
Meredith,
Thanks for your question about your Cadillac. It is possible that the noise is coming from the cooling fan hitting your radiator or the fan shroud. You could try popping your hood with the car off and cold and try moving the radiator, cooling fans and any plastic shielding to see if anything is loose and could be hitting the fan.
The other possibility is that the noise is coming from inside your motor and braking or cornering causes it. If your check engine light is on, start by having the codes read. You can also try checking your engine oil level to make sure it is where it should be. For more information about the ticking noises your engine may make, you can try reading this article: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-ticking/
Please let us know if you have any more questions!
I have a 2007 Toyota Rav4. I recently had new pads and rotors put on the front and new pads on the rear. (both within last 200 miles) I’ve started to hear a noise that sounds like it’s coming from the front of my vehicle, but unable to tell which side the noise is coming from. Unfortunately I’m not exactly sure how to describe the noise either, making it that much harder for you to help diagnose the problem. It sounds like something is rubbing against something, but not all the time, and if I apply my brakes even the slightest bit the sound immediately goes away. The noise is easily heard at slow speeds (approximately 15mph) Sometimes I hear it while my steering wheel is straight while other times I hear it when I begin turning my steering wheel. Regardless of when I hear the noise, a slight press on the brakes and the sound goes away. If this is a result of pads or rotors, then I ended up with faulty pads and or rotors. Does it sound like it could be something else other than pads or rotors? I’m thinking that there may be an uneven spot on one of the rotors that the pads are hitting during each rotation of the wheel. Do you think the problem could be something else other than rotors or pads?
Phil,
Thanks for all the information about your Rav4. The fact that the sound you are hearing always goes away when you press the brakes leads me to believe it is a problem with the front brakes. It is possible that you got faulty rotors or pads, but usually those are pretty consistent parts and don’t come bad from the shop. It sounds more like your brake pads simply aren’t releasing when you let off the brakes causing them to continue to rub just slightly on the rotors making the sound you are hearing.
Your front brake pads might not be releasing as they should for two reasons. First, some Toyota brake systems use a small “V” shaped spring to help push the brake pads off the rotor after a period of braking. If your Rav4 came equipped with this spring, ask your mechanic if they replaced it. The second and more likely possibility is that the mechanic who put your new brake pads on did not properly lubricate the brake pad when they installed them. The brake pads should have been lubricated on the back where it contacts the caliper or piston as well as on the sides where it slides along the bracket. If they are not properly lubricated, they can stick and cause some of the rubbing noises you are hearing. It may be worth taking it back to the mechanic who installed the pads and rotors and see if they will lubricate the pads for free.
I have a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer ES and recently had it serviced to stop a power steering leak, oil pan leak, had a full flush done on Engine and Trans, flex pipe fixed and some other stuff done to it. After about a week of getting it back I noticed a rubbing sound in the front end when I am making tight turns, especially when parking. I took it back to the mechanic that serviced my car and they said they weren’t able to pin point the noise and that the power steering line as well as everything else they had done was fine. Any ideas of what it could be ?
Josh,
Thanks for your question about your Lancer. The good news, if the mechanics are having a hard time identifying it, it probably isn’t a bad problem. In these cases, we find it often can be something as simple as a loose piece of plastic shielding. Try checking the plastic pieces in your wheel well as well as under your front bumper to see if they are properly attached and could be rubbing on the ground or on your tire when turned completely. Usually if a problem starts right after maintenance it was caused by something that was removed or adjusted during the repair.
If that doesn’t turn out to be the problem, it is possible it is your brakes causing the rubbing sound. In that case, try reading this article to help understand why your brakes might be making the noise: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaking-brakes/.
I have a 97 Ford Escort and when I turn the wheel to the right it makes a awful grinding noise. It seems to be louder if it is cold outside. It doesn’t make any noise going in a straight line or turning to the left or going over bumps and dips. It makes the same noise if I am turning the wheel right parked or going down the road and turning right. Thank you for your help and answering questions.
Aaron,
Thanks for your question about your 97 escort. It seems unlikely that it is a problem with your suspension as you don’t hear the noise when going over bumps or turning the other direction. Our best guess is that the noise you are hearing is actually being caused by your brakes. If it has been a long time since you’ve replaced your brake rotors it is possible there is a small amount of rust on the outside or inside of the rotor surface and when you turn your steering wheel it causes the brake pads to rub on the rust and causing the noise. For a better explanation, you can read our article about brake noises here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaking-brakes/.
If that turns out to not be the case, please leave us a comment on the bottom of the at blog.
-BlueDevil Pro
Hi there, I have a grinding and clicking noise when I make sharp turns left and right but there is grease build up only on right cv boot, should I still have both replaced being the noise is there no matter which way I turn?
Stephanie,
Thanks for your question. The noises you are describing do sound just like a broken CV joint especially considering the grease you are seeing. CV joints are not something that need to be replaced in pairs so we would just recommend replacing the one with the grease build up, unless you discover another boot torn. It is possible that they are both are bad, but would be difficult to prove unless you find another torn boot.
So I’m having a squeal noise going over bumping roads and when I make turns the noise is coming mostly from the left front side. I took it in to Firestone and they replaced the struts. A few hours after picking it up I went on a bump road and yet the noise continues….any other ideas? They even did a 360 vehicle inspection and so now I don’t know what else is needed and how much more money I’ll have to spend on getting that noise resolved.
Q-
Thanks for your question about your vehicle. It sounds like you have a failed bushing or joint somewhere in your suspension. Since you just had your struts replaced, you know that isn’t the cause. Tracking down the failed component can be difficult but there are a few ways to identify them. First, start by checking out our article about squeaking suspensions here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaky-suspension/ . Hopefully this will help you identify the components that are worn and need to be replaced to stop the noise you are hearing. If you still cannot identify the source of the noise, we would recommend getting a second opinion from another mechanic. The cost will depend significantly on what component has failed so it will difficult to estimate until you identify the problem.
Thank You!
-BDP
Hello there. I drive a 1999 Grandprx supercharger. And when I turn the the left it makes like a clunk sound or a poping sound. It doesn’t always make the noise. It’s been doing this awhile now. I was wondering if you could help we with this problem.
Michael-
Thanks for your question about your 99 Grand Prix GTP! The clunk or popping sound you are hearing is most likely due to a worn tie rod. It is possible that there is another suspension component making the noise, but since you described it only during turning, the tie rod is the most likely culprit. If bumpy roads produce similar sounds, you can check out our article about suspension noises to help identify the failed component. You can read that article here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaky-suspension/.
Replacing a tie rod is something that is difficult to do on your own because it will affect the front end alignment of your car. It would be best to have a mechanic with the proper equipment to replace the tie rod and perform a front end alignment at the same time complete the repair. You can be sure it is a tie rod issue by lifting the front wheels of your car off the ground and firmly grabbing one front tire at the 3 and 9 o’clock position. If you can feel free play in the wheel when pushing or pulling on it, your tie rod is worn and needs to be replaced.
-BDP
I have a 1990 Nissan Sentra. It is making a whining sound when I turn the steering wheel to the right. The car doesn’t have to be in motion to hear the sound.. sometimes it goes away. The steering pump fluid was full. The sound is more noticeable at times and the steering becomes stiff and at other times is OK. Is this a bad pump?
Joel-
Yes, it was a good idea to check the power steering fluid level as often times low fluid will cause a whining sound. With the fluid level being full that would lead us to believe that you most likely do need to replace the pump.
Thanks for your question!
-BDP
Hi There! I have a 2008 Toyota Sienna with 98,500 miles on it. I’ve recently noticed that when I turn the steering wheel I hear squealing sounds that remind me of kids swinging on metal swing sets. Even when my car is parked and I move my wheel left and right. We’ve taken it in to have it looked at and we were told that they couldn’t find anything that could explain the noise…and of course the van didn’t make the noises for them. Any suggestions? Steering wheel, maybe?
Samantha-
Thanks for your question about your 2008 Toyota Sienna! I’m sorry it’s making squealing noises when you turn, but if your mechanic didn’t see anything wrong hopefully it is not a catastrophic problem. If the noise is coming from inside the cabin it could be a problem with your steering wheel. Unfortunately since your vehicle has a driver side air bag, it is best to have the steering wheel checked by a mechanic to make sure the air bag does not deploy. There also is a series of universal joints in your steering column that may be getting old and worn out causing the noise you are hearing. These joints are difficult to get to so they could have been overlooked by your mechanic. If you can have a friend turn the steering wheel in the car and you look in the engine bay to find the rotating steering shaft, applying grease or even a light oil like WD-40 to any joints you see can help you identify the culprit.
Also, some Sienna’s are known to have noisy steering and the sound is caused from a rubber boot inside the car rubbing on the column as it turns. If you look under your dash board you should also be able to find where the steering column comes down from your steering wheel towards the floor board. If you find a rubber boot near the floor you can try sliding it down and applying a small amount of grease or light oil to the shaft to quite it down.
If the noise you are hearing is outside of the vehicle under the car or by the wheels it is possible that you have a failing suspension component that is causing the problem. If this is the case, the noise will get worse as your drive and start to become constant so your mechanic can find it. If you want to try and identify it yourself, please read our article about squeaky suspension here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaky-suspension/.
Thanks again for your question!
-BDP
I have a 1995 Honda Accord that has been well maintained. It has been making a scraping sound when I apply the brakes. I just took it in and the mechanic said everything looks fine. So now what? Any other possibilities?
Jen,
Thanks for your question about your brakes on your Accord. First, we would recommend you start by reading another one of our articles specifically about brake noise. You can find it here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaking-brakes/.
It is possible that there is a little bit of rust on the outside or inside of your brake rotor that contacts the pads when you apply the brakes causing the noise you are hearing. If this is the case, there is no damage being done, but you could have your brake rotors turned to fix that problem. It is also possible that your brake pads simply need to be lubricated so they can move more freely and this may help quite down your brakes as well.
If you only hear the scraping sound when you are applying the brakes it is unlikely that your problem is coming from so where else. If you have any more questions about brake noise, please leave us a comment on the bottom of the article above.
-BlueDevil Pro
Hey,
I have a 2000 Subaru Outback. It’s been in and out of the shop for months now. So far, It’s been Head Gaskets, both front tire rods, catalytic converter, and both front axle’s.
There is a clicking noise when I accelerate and turn left, It appears to be coming from the drivers side of the car. My mechanic told me that he “looked up a few things” and it could be an internal transmission problem, but everyone says it sounds like the CV joint or axle. I am going to take it to another mechanic for a second opinion, but would like to know is it possible to hear a clicking sound while accelerating and turning left and the problem be the transmission?
Elizabeth-
Thanks for your question about your 2000 Subaru Outback! The clicking noise you are describing does sound a like a CV joint, so getting a second opinion is a good idea. Often on Subaru’s aftermarket CV axles can fail quickly, so it may be worth making sure your mechanic installed new OEM Subaru CV axles. Since your Subaru has all-wheel drive it is possible that the sound is coming from the transmission. The differentials are very specialized in an all-wheel drive vehicle and the front differential is housed in the transmission, so if that is wearing out it could cause the noises you are hearing. If this is the case, it should sound like it’s coming from the center of your car. We recommend making absolutely sure you have good quality Subaru CV axles installed before checking into a transmission problem.
-BDP
Hi There,
I have a 2009 Honda accord EX-L which has 96000 Km On it and when i turn the steering it makes different sound form the engine, like some thing is spinning very fast, its not from the wheels i can feel it the sound is from the engine/transmission I am sure.
specially when i am exiting the HWY or when i make sharp turn and press gas it make different sound. any suggestion are appreciated
Andy
Andy-
Thanks for your question about your 2009 Honda Accord. It sounds like you are describing the whine of a power steering pump. When you turn your steering wheel, the power steering pump has to work to help your wheels turn so it makes sense that you are hearing the noise when turning or accelerating around a corner. The first thing to do is check your fluid level. If the level is low, add BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/power-steering-stop-leak-00232/) to stop the leak that caused the low fluid level. Then top off the reservoir with the manufacturer’s recommended power steering fluid.
If you do not find a low power steering fluid level it is possible it is simply time for a power steering fluid flush. New fluid may help quite down your system and remove any impurities. Some Honda Accords are also known for having loud power steering pumps so it is possible that the noise you are hearing won’t cause any problems in the near future, but only a Honda dealer would be able to help you determine if that is the case.
-BDP
I have a 2002 Ford Escape. When I start my car, it has a high-pitched whine that eventually goes away after driving a while. It sounds worse when I turn, especially while turning left. My car also feels really stiff whenever I turn, which is a new phenomenon. I have recently had my engine serviced, and had an oil change and transmission fluids checked. All this started about a week ago and seemingly out of the blue. If the whine happens all the time and not just while turning, does that mean it’s something other than the power steering?
Amy-
Thanks for your question about your 02 Escape. It does sound like the problem you are describing is a power steering problem. Your power steering pump is turning anytime your engine is running so it can whine even when you are not turning your wheels. Start by checking your power steering fluid level. In your engine bay, there should be a small bottle with a cap with a picture of a steering wheel or “Power Steering” written on it. Make sure the fluid is full and not dark or dirty. If you discover a low fluid level, it could be causing the whining sound you are hearing. First, add BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/power-steering-stop-leak-00232/) to stop the leak which caused the low fluid level, then add the power steering fluid recommended in your owner’s manual to finish filling your power steering system. Old or dirty fluid could also cause the whine you are hearing so if the fluid looks brown or dirty it may be time for a power steering fluid and new fluid as well.
As for the stiff turning, that could be related to a low power steering fluid level, or even dirty fluid. If you get a fluid flush and the proper fluid level and still have difficulty turning the steering wheel, you may have worn tie rods and should have those checked by a mechanic.
-BDP
I just bought a 2011 kia Soul base model 1.6l 5-speed and out of nowhere I starting hearing a clicking noise when turning the steering wheel left or right at low speeds or just simply parked jerking the wheel back and fourth, its not effecting the steering but is kind of loud and obnoxiously there. I have no idea what this may be what do you think in your opinion?
Gregory-
Thanks for your question about your 2011 Kia Soul! It sounds like you may have a suspension component starting to go bad. If the clicking noise was only while your car was moving, I would recommend checking your CV joints, but if the noise happens while parked as well, it would be a suspension problem. Since it is just clicking and everything still feels tight it may be difficult to find the problem as it sounds like a small problem, or just the start of something going bad. Start by checking your tie rod ends and front shocks. If those are still good it may be your sway bar linkage as well.
If you are hearing the noise coming from inside the car it may be a bad joint in your steering column, or the clock spring which would make the clicking noise come from right behind your steering wheel.
-BDP
My power steering fluid is clear & full, but I feel a rubbing/friction (not metallic, no clicking, whining, nor squeaks) sound on my steering wheel & break/gas pedals every time I turn (while driving) my 2010 Toyota Sienna.
Any thoughts?
Mya-
Thanks for your question about your 2010 Sienna! It sounds like you’ve done a good job maintaining your vehicle’s power steering system which is great! It sounds like your problem may have more to do with a worn suspension component than your power steering system. A worn tie rod end or ball joint could cause the rubbing you are feeling especially if you feel it in your pedals as well. For a quick read on how to identify broken suspension components, check out our article about that here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaky-suspension/. If you have any more questions after that, please leave us another comment on the bottom of that article.
-BDP
I have a 2004 diesel corsa.When i play with the steering it makes noise as if hitting on something.I just replaced the steering rack so now i dont no what is wrong.It doesn’t matter whether the car is moving or not the steering makes same noise.I cannot see the power steering pump the mechanic says the car has an electronic power steering it does not use fluid
Thembani-
Thanks for your question about your Vauxhall Corsa. Faulty steering racks are a common problem on your vehicle, so having it replaced was a good idea. It sounds like the problem you are having is coming from you’re a suspension component, maybe a tie rod or ball joint on your control arm. For a quick read on how to identify a faulty suspension component, check out our article about that here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaky-suspension/.
Also, some Corsa’s are known to have problems with control arms and steering columns having cracks or other manufacturing defects so it may be worth having a mechanic look at you vehicle to make sure the problem isn’t an indication of something worse.
-BDP
Hello i have a 2008 honda civic when my car is on but in park and i turn my steering wheel it makes noises similar to a grinding noise. It isn’t loud enough to hear if you are outside of the car but when i am in it you can hear it. I do not know if it happens when i am driving because of environment noises like cars,wind, etc. I checked the power steering fluid and it is not low. Any suggestions? thank you
Justin-
Thanks for your question about your 2008 Civic! Since the grinding noise you are hearing is so quiet it is most likely coming from your brakes. Small amounts of rust can build up on the outside of your brake rotors that can cause grinding noises when you turn your wheels and the pads move on the rotors. For more information about brake noise, check out our article about that here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaking-brakes/.
It is also possible that you have some worn steering components, most likely your tie rods. Usually worn tie rods will make more of a pop or clunk than a grinding noise so we suggest you start by looking at your brakes first.
-BDP
Hi there. I have a 2002 Ford Escape that has just recently began making a grinding or creaking noise when I turn the steering wheel. I checked the power steering fluid and it was low so I added some. It did a little better for a day or so, but today it is “groaning” again. I have also noticed that when I hit dips in the road, there is a clicking noise. ( I can only hear that if the window is down). I also notice this clicking sound when I have the car in reverse and apply the brakes. I’m not sure if one thing has anything to do with the other, but since I was asking the question, I wanted to ask about all of those.
I can stop and get some of the Bluedevil Power Steering Stop Leak on the way home and see if that helps with the groaning noise when turning the steering wheel right or left.
I’m not sure if the clicking noise is a problem or just a sound the suspension makes normally.
What is your opinion?
Jamie
Jamie-
Thanks for your question about your 2002 Ford Escape! I think you are on the right track with solving your groaning noise. A low power steering fluid level can cause the noises you are hearing and BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak can seal your leak and keep that problem from happening again. As for the clicking sound when going over bumps, that may be an early indication of a suspension component starting to wear out. When the click turns into a clunk it would be time to look into having the component replaced. In the meantime, try reading our article about how to identify worn suspension components here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaky-suspension/.
Thank You!
-BDP
When I turn my steering wheel, it makes a wining noise but not when I’m in reverse. I’m not low on steering fluid. Some people tell me it’s the rack & pinion. It’s not tight when I turn. How do I know if it’s the power steering pump or rack & pinion? (which is expensive – so I’m told)
Chandra-
Thanks for your question. Replacing a rack and pinion is often an expensive repair item as the rack is relatively difficult to remove and often requires quite a bit of labor. Whining sounds are usually associated with power steering pump noise, so it sounds like you are on the right track. If you do not have a leak, it could be due to old power steering fluid so you may consider getting a power steering fluid flush to ensure to see if that fixes the problem. It is possible that you have a clog in your steering rack making the pump work harder to move the fluid and a flush should fix that problem. Depending on what kind of vehicle you have, you may also just have a noisy power steering pump that will continue to work well even though it is noisy so if you do not have any trouble steering it may not be a problem that needs to be fixed immediately.
-BDP
I have a 2009 Honda Accord lx-p. When I turn the wheel rt or lt I get a sqeak noise that almost sounds like rubber on rubber. I can also duplicate the sound by “bouncing” the car up n down on the drivers side front. My first thought was strut but now I’m thinking lower ball joint? Any ideas? Thanks!
Josh-
Thanks for your question about your ’09 Accord. It sounds like you’re on the right track with the squeaking noise you are hearing. Usually noises associated with turning your wheel and bouncing your car are either your tie rod ends or your lower ball joints. Shock mounts will also squeak but they usually do so less when turning and more on bumps. You may also check your sway bar end links and mounts for deterioration, but they are less likely the problem. Try spraying the suspect joint with light oil like WD-40 and bouncing the car to see if the squeak goes away. If it does, then you’ve found your problem!
-BDP
Hi,
I have one year old fiat punto, when ever I turn my sterring(full) then move… then there is sound near front suspension. This is happening from last 3 months and now it has increased and whenever I go over small path holes, Iam getting same sound.
Pradeep-
Thanks for your question about your Fiat Punto. Depending on the type of sound you are hearing it sounds like you have a loose suspension component that is causing your problem. Usually if the noise happens when turning sharply it is caused by a worn tie rod, but it could also be a worn ball joint or control arm bushing. For more information on diagnosing suspension issues, check out our article about that hear: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaky-suspension/.
All the Best!
-BDP
Hi,
I have a 2011 Hobda Civic, when driving at low speed and with the wheel turned i hear a quite loud whine. This stops when the car is stationary and I do not hear it at high speed(although I can’t remember doing 60 with the wheel on full lock). From your post it sounds like it could be a belt that’s slipping? What would your suggestion be? Does it sound like an expensive job?
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks
Toby
Toby,
Thanks for your question about your 2011 Honda Civic. First, if your car is still under warranty we would recommend taking it to a dealership and having them inspect and repair it under your warranty. Also, whenever you have your steering wheel turned all the way to full lock there will be a whining noise as the power steering pump is trying to push hard against your steering stops. This is normal on just about any car with the wheels turned to full lock.
You can start by checking your power steering fluid for a low level as that can cause whining while you are turning that may be masked at higher speeds. If that isn’t the problem, it could be a slipping or belt. To check that remove the belt and inspect it for cracks or glazing. Also, try spinning all of the pulleys by hand to see if any are dragging or stiff. After that, you should be able to tell where the sound is coming from.
-BlueDevil Pro
My 95 f-150 makes a sort of creaking sound, it doesn’t sound serious but I’d like to be sure, it sounds like a small spring or something inside the steering column, it sounds like it’s coming from inside the cab, and the ngine light is not on
Caleb,
Thanks for your question about your F150. Usually sounds from inside the steering wheel are associated with the clock spring. The clock spring is an electrical connection that allows the buttons on your steering wheel, airbag or other accessories to have an electrical connection while still allowing the wheel to spin. Over time, that spring can wear down and will cause a clicking or crunching sounds before it goes bad. If you have an airbag you should always have a professional replace the clock spring to make sure you don’t inadvertently deploy it.
There is also a chance that the detent system for your blinker or windshield wiper switch going bad. If that is the case, you will also need to remove the steering wheel to find out what is broken. Many local auto parts stores rent steering wheel pullers so it may be a project you can do yourself.
Hi,
I have an 06 infiniti Q56 and it has just started making a “groaning” noise in the front when I turn steering wheel. In addition, the check engine light came on a couple of days ago. Went to autozone and got a diagnostic check and he said there was only one code.
It said catalyst system efficiency below threshold possible causes–large vacuum leak, rich AF ratio, ignition system malfunction and faulty catalytic converter. Will any of these things cause the noise described above? Thanks!
Charmagne-
Thanks for your question about your infinity Q56! The short answer is no, those two problems do not seem to be related. The error code you received most likely is an indication that your vehicle’s emissions control system isn’t working properly. If you haven’t noticed any other problems like your vehicle running poorly or getting bad gas mileage, it usually means it is time to replace your catalytic converter.
The groaning you are hearing is most likely due to a worn suspension component. The most likely culprit in this case would be a worn ball joint. For a quick read on worn suspension components and how to tell which one is broken, check out our article about noisy suspension components here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaky-suspension/.
Thanks again for your question!
-BDP
I have a town and country Chrysler when I turn the steering wheel either way it makes a huming / whining noise even when in park, please help!!
Leah-
You should first check to see if the power steering fluid level is low. If it is low then you likely have a leak. To help stop the leak you may add 1/3 of a bottle of the BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak.
If the fluid level is at its proper level then you may want to have the power steering pump looked and and potentially replaced.
Thank You!
-BDP
i just found this site & hoping someone can answer my question.
i noticed this week on my grand prix that as my steering wheel turns back to center when straightening out from a turn, it makes a smooth whining noise as it goes back to center. by reading other peoples posts, it looks like the first step is to check the power steering fluids. if it is empty, my husband is going to fill it. if it is low on fluid, does that automatically mean there is a leak? or should it be filled & then rechecked after X amount of days or weeks to see if the level of the fluids changed?
then, if there isn’t an issue with the fluids and it still making the whining noise, to have the pump looked at.
is this right?
i wanted add a little update. the power steering fluid seemed fine. we topped it off. but it is still making this noise. would flushing it be the next step? should i just bite the bullet & take it in the mechanic?
Krysten-
You could try flushing it and adding fresh fluid to see if any improvement is made. Otherwise, you may have to take it into a certified mechanic to for a diagnosis and possible repair.
Thank You!
-BDP
Krysten-
If the power steering unit is low on fluid then yes it is very likely you have a leak. If it turns out the fluid is low then we recommend adding 1/3 of a bottle of the BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak along with enough factory recommended power steering fluid to get it up to the proper level. You should notice results from BlueDevil after about 100 miles of driving.
If the fluid is up to level, not low, then you may want to have a certified mechanic take a look at the power steering pump and it could need replaced.
Thank You!
-BDP
Good Morning,
I have a 2010 Hyundai elantra and last Friday it started making this loud squeaking know when I turn the steering wheel right but now it’s when I turn either way. If I make a wide turn the noise stops. And when the noise stay after I make a turn if I press down on the accelerator it get louder I have to stop then the noise will go away. Please tell me what can I do.
Jasmine,
Thanks for your question about your Hyundai! The squeaking noise sounds more like a problem with your engine belts than with your steering system. When you turn your steering wheel it puts a load on your power steering system, effectively making it harder for your engine to run the belts that turn your power steering pump. That extra load can cause old belts to squeak or screech. For a quick read on how to deal with noisy engine belts, read our article about that here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/.
If you still have questions after reading that article, please leave us another comment on the bottom.
-BlueDevil Pro
Hi,
I have a 2001 Mitsubishi Galant and lately my steering wheel will make this squeaking noise when I slow down, brake, or turn left. Only at low speeds and really, only when I drive it. I can turn the wheel all around when the car is in park and no noise will happen. But when I pull up to a stop sign or light, even if I’m not holding the wheel or turning it, the squeak will happen. The noise is not coming from outside. Only inside and from the steering column. Sometimes, if the squeak happened during braking, it will squeak during accelerating as well. My steering is responsive and smooth. What could this be?
Christina,
Thanks for your question about your Galant. Since you said the problem is coming from inside the car, the squeaking noise must have something to do with your steering column. The steering column is the shaft connected to your steering wheel that transmits the rotations to your steering wheel to your steering rack. There are a few couplings and joints in the column and one of them must need to be lubricated. Unfortunately to check the ones closest to your steering wheel you have to remove your steering wheel and airbag. To make sure you do not accidently deploy the airbag, you should leave that maintenance up to a professional.
I have a 93 Toyota Camry and something is wrong with my power steering. Ill turn the car on its quiet but when I back out of my drive way I turn the wheel left or right it makes a loud squeak noise after that its quiet. But when I make a large turn wherebi have to turn the wheel all the way it makes that loud squeak noise again . I looked under the hood and the power steering fluid is full which I didn’t understand… im thinking there might be a clog but if it might be something else please tell me thank you .!
Neika,
Thanks for your question about your 1993 Camry. It sounds like what is happening is that when your power steering system is put under a significant load, like turning your wheels right after starting it up, or making a tight turn, the power steering pump is working so hard that your engine belt starts to slip on the pulley making the squeal.
You are right, there may be a clog in the system creating an unnecessarily high pressure. That would make the pump hard to turn and the belt slip and squeal. It is also possible that your power steering fluid is just old and the system needs to be flushed and new fluid put in. Check your owners manual for how often you should change your power steering fluid. Either way, new fluid couldn’t hurt! The last thing it could be is that your engine belt is just getting old and needs to be changed so it will stop slipping on the pulley. To find out if that is the problem, read our article about noisy engine belts here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/.
I have a 2007 Toyota Tacoma and I off-road a lot, I’ve recently noticed a loud whining noise(sounds like something is winding up) when I brake over a bump, more often occuring when I turn the steering wheel as I brake over a bump.
Nash-
Thanks for your question about your 2007 Tacoma. Since you off road a lot, there is always the possibility that you have something stuck in your braking components, maybe a branch or some mud or something sticking to the brake pad. Your disk brake has vents along the edge so if something is stuck in the caliper it could make the winding sound you are describing. The only other thing we can think of is that you possibly have some damage to your fender and it has caused your inner wheel well to drop down. When you brake the front of your truck dives forward and when you turn the edge of the tire is closer to the wheel well so during those conditions it may be enough to make the tire rub on the inner wheel well. Your inner wheel well protector is just a black piece of plastic to keep water out of the engine bay so it should be easy to reattach with a screw and zip tie. With your truck parked, try grabbing some of the plastic underneath and tugging on it to see if it’s loose on the side you hear the noise on.
-BDP
Hello, I accidently drove my car through water today. I didnt realize the water was high. I drove through it at normal speed. Now when I make a sharp right turn there is a loud grinding noise. What could that be?
Ree-
Hopefully the grinding you are hearing is simply some rust on your brake rotors. Your brake rotors are uncoated metal so anytime you get them wet they will quickly get surface rust on them. As this rust wears off it can make rubbing or grinding sounds. Try slowing down quickly from highway speeds to use your brakes hard. This should remove the rust and if get the grinding sound to stop.
The other possibility is that you had a tear in a CV boot or a suspension component and the water was able to get inside and cause similar rusting issues but on more important components. To see if this is your problem you’ll have to climb under your car and look for torn rubber boots, grease spilling out, and spots that look newly rusted. WD-40 is a good tool for displacing water and keeping metal from rusting so if you see a rust spot try spraying it with WD-40 or a similar light oil. If the grinding sound stops, you’ve found your culprit. This probably won’t be a permanent fix but will help you know what to replace.
Thank You!
-BDP
I have a 2012 Cadillac CTS and there is a popping noise when I turn and I wonder if I need to replace the struts, mainly the right side, please advise.
Edward-
Thanks for your question about your Cadillac CTS. In most cases a popping noise actually indicates a bad CV joint, not a bad strut. If you hear this noise when turning in a tight circle, even very slowly then a CV joint is doing bad. If it is more a clunk or a creak then you may consider checking your struts, ball joints and sway bar links.
-BDP
Hi, I have a 2009 Cadillac DTS that is making a whining noise from the power steering pump when engine is idling and when i turn the steering wheel it sounds like the pump is really struggling. I replaced the power steering pump today and nothing has changed. Also, I noticed that the HP hose from the pump expands quite a bit and sweats a little fluid when the steering wheel is turned. I thought the steering fluid filter was part of the pump/reservoir but im not sure. I dont know where i should look next to resolve the issue. Any thoughts on what could be wrong?
Hubert-
Thanks for your question about your 2009 Cadillac DTS. It sounds like your pump is whining because it’s working so hard to move fluid through the system. Based on the new pump and your swollen hose, it sounds like you have a pretty major clog in your high pressure hose or the rack and pinion. Your power steering system is a closed system and creates very few wear products so there actually isn’t a filter anywhere in the system, so clogs like this are possible. You can try flushing the system to see if you can remove the clog that is causing the buildup in pressure but based on your description it sounds like a big clog. Your only option may be to replace the high pressure line and power steering rack.
One other thing you might check is if there is a recall on the power steering system for your car. There was a recall on power steering hoses for a few years of the DTS but I’m not sure if it will be applicable to your car. You can call the closest Cadillac dealership and give them your vehicle identification number and they can tell you whether or not there is a recall and if it’s been done on your vehicle.
-BDP
hi. I just stumbled on ur page. It’s great, very informative. I’ve looked through alot of the posts on here, but can only find people with similar problems. I’m quite sure it’s brake related, but could do with some expert advise. Here’s the problem, there’s a almost constant fairly high pitched squeal when I drive my car. It does it in a straight line, but disappears when I accelerate. It also does it when I turn right, but not when I turn left. If I’m slowing to a stop, it will change to a lower grinding sound. The car had been sitting for a while b4 I got it. Any help or pointers would be much appreciated thank you.
Paul-
Since you mentioned your car had been sitting for a while, it’s possible the sound is just rust build up around your brake pads and your car simply needs to be driven to remove the rust. Stopping quickly from highway speeds can help speed up the rust removal process.
The other possibility is that you’re brake pads are worn down. There is a metal tang on most brake pads that will rub on the brake disk when the brake pad gets low. This tang is designed to rub on your brake rotor and make a ringing sound indicating that it’s time to get new brake pads before you damage the rotors. The fact that you get a grinding sound during braking makes me think your brake pads are already too far worn down and you’re starting to have metal on metal contact in your brakes. If the noises don’t go away after driving few a few days then your brakes and rotors are probably in need of replacement.
-BDP
Hi ! I have a 2003 Acura MDX. When I’m turning the wheel – left or right – a few ” flat ” clicking noise coming from the front.I counting 5-10 clicks in whole turn, sometimes slowly after each,sometimes rapidly,depending how fast you turning the wheel. Absolute no noise ( or a can not hear ) after 8-10 mph.This noise is not metallic sharp,or crunching noise,and only happening when the car is parking or in low rolling speed. Sharp turning;no noise! This car have new steering pump,new control arms – left,right – with ball joints and bushings. Recent alignment . One more notice,maybe important; the whole wheel kind of ” loose feeling ” to me.Funny,but seems to me like loose bolts,or connections somewhere – intermediate shaft ? gear box ? -in the steering system. Any opinion or idea? Please! Thank you so much!
Larry,
Thanks for your question about your MDX. It sounds like you’ve recently replaced most of the components that would normally make the kind of noises you’re describing. The loose feeling combined with the noise does make me think the problem is somewhere in your steering column. If your steering wheel has a tilt feature you can start by checking the joint under your dashboard for loose bolts or play. There also will be a joint in your engine bay in between the firewall and the steering box which you can check.
If the noise sounds like it is coming from the wheels and only happens when the car is rolling it could also be a bad CV joint. Try reading this article to help figure out of a broken CV joint is causing your problems: https://gobdp.com/blog/steering-wheel-noise/.
Hi, I have a 2002 Ford Explorer sport and I am hearing a deep grinding noise from the front driver’s side wheel when I take left turns but not when I take right turns. Brakes work perfectly, no is drag, noise,or pulsing. Do you have any Ideas on what it could be? Thanks
Raymond,
Thanks for your question about your 2002 Ford Explorer. It sounds like you have a bad wheel bearing on the driver’s side. When you turn, it changes the pressure on the wheel and changes the noise the bad bearing makes. For more information, check out this article about bad wheel bearings here: https://gobdp.com/blog/bad-wheel-bearing/.
Truck makes an air releasing noise when I turn the wheel sometimes but all the time when I turn it all the way to the left and stays when I hold it to the left. Truck also hops or skips, don’t know really how to describe it. Any ideas ? Just replaced drag link and tired rod from drag link to pitman arm And replaced steering stabilizer
Sean,
Depending on the type of steering stabilizer you got the sound you are hearing may just be the new steering stabilizer breaking in. The fact that you still hear the noise makes that unlikely but often problems that happen after maintenance have something to do with that maintenance. The other possibility is that you have a vacuum leak in your engine so check for loose or cracked vacuum hoses.
The hopping or skipping you described sound like you have a problem with your differential or the transfer case. If either the differential or the transfer case has a frozen bearing it will cause skipping in corners since it won’t allow the tires to turn at different speeds. You can jack up your wheels one at a time and see if they spin freely or drag.
Hi. I have a 99 Taurus. I just had someone replace the rack and pinion. It is making a loud clunking or popping noise when turning right or left. It doesn’t do it when the car is on and in park when turning the wheel. It was also driving very loose. Took to a small shop around the corner. They did an alignment which helped, but it didn’t fix the clunk noise. They also said the sway bars looked ok. Can you please help and tell me if it will be an expensive fix or not. Thank you 🙂
April,
Thanks for your question about your Taurus. It sounds like you’re looking in all the right places for the clunk. If your tie rods weren’t replaced with the new rack and pinion, we would suggest starting there. Since the sway bar is also ok, then the other component that could be the problem are the ball joints on your front lower control arms. Usually, you cannot change just the joint and have to get a whole new control arm but that job shouldn’t be too expensive. Unfortunately after a new control you should get an alignment performed again. The clunk is possibly a shock problem, but that shouldn’t make your car drive “loose” but your mechanic should be able to tell you for sure if your shocks are ok.
Hi,
My 2005 Chevy Classic was making a “thud” sound when I would start it, put it in reverse and accelerate. It sounded like something was dropping. This has been happening for a few weeks. Could a mounting bolt be broken and that is what is causing the “thud” when my car feels like it is dropping.
Then two days ago, when I turned my wheel to left, it sounded like something was grinding by my tire. My husband changed two inner tire rods last night, but the noise is still there. He also noticed some liquid around the area when he removed the inner tie rod boot. Is this a power steering issue or could it be a power steering rack leak or something else?
Lindsay-
Thanks for your question about your 05 Chevy. It sounds like you have a few problems at work. First, the thud you are hearing sounds like a broken motor mount. When starting, accelerating or going into reverse, it puts a lot of torque on the motor of your car. The mounts are made from rubber so if one is torn it will allow the motor to bang around. Under the hood, look for places where the motor or transmission bolt to the frame of the car and looked for cracked rubber there.
Next, the fluid from the tie rod boot is probably an indication of a power steering leak from your rack and pinion. To seal that leak you can use BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/power-steering-stop-leak-00232/).
Lastly, the grinding noise you are hearing when turning left is hopefully a result of that torn motor mount. With a broken motor mount, your transmission has shifted to the point where things might be rubbing or your CV joint may be out of alignment. Try fixing the motor mount first, and seeing if the grinding noise goes away. If not, check out our article about brake noise here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaking-brakes/. If you have any other questions, leave us a comment on the bottom of that article.
Thanks!
-BDP
Hello!
I drive a 2001 Chevy Tahoe. It drives perfectly fine except when I try to turn left. When I turn left it makes a bunch of noise that I don’t want to hear. What is the issue? And can it hurt the vehicle if I keep driving it?
Thanks!
Thanks for your question about your 2001 Chevy Tahoe. The sound you are describing sounds like it has more to do with your wheel bearings or brakes. As you turn your brake pads shift on the rotor and may be making the sound you are hearing if your rotors are old and rusted. Also, the sound you are hearing could be an indication that your wheel bearing is going bad on that side.
To determine which is your problem, start by reading our article about noisy brakes here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaking-brakes/. If that doesn’t turn out to be the problem, you can check out our article about bad wheel bearings here: https://gobdp.com/blog/bad-wheel-bearing/.
Thanks!
-BDP
I have a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer and it makes a loud squeal while turning at low speeds such as backing out of the driveway or parking space, yet the power steering resivour is completely full, and I just had all of the lines replaced. Also while I am driving down the road it has a louder hum but this does not happen while I’m turning at low speeds, could it be the bearings? Or maybe the rotors?
Sheldin-
The squealing you are hearing when turning does sound like it is related to your power steering. If you haven’t already, try reading our article about squealing belts here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/.
Even if your power steering reservoir is full, your power steering system may still be causing the problem. This could be because your power steering pump is going bad and getting hard to turn, or because you have a clog somewhere in your system that is making the pressure unusually high. If your pump is failing, the noises should continue to get worse, and if you have a clog you may need to perform a full system flush.
The humming you are describing does sound like a bad wheel bearing. Warped rotors usually don’t make noise unless you’re breaking very hard and will cause pulsing in your brake pedal. The humming stopping while you are turning isn’t unusual for a bad wheel bearing as the loads shift when you turn and can change the humming or stop it all together. For more information on what bad wheel bearings sound like, check out our article about that here: https://gobdp.com/blog/bad-wheel-bearing/.
Thank You!
-BDP
Hello –
2000 Navigator, had a groaning/creaking sound when turning, confirmed no P/S leak, and replaced power steering pump. Groaning returned during turns during a 250 mile trip shortly after the repair, to the point that the groaning was evident and worse than ever in very slow turns and even stopped. Seems like something somewhere needs grease… any ideas?
Matt,
Your problem sounds more like a suspension joint problem than a power steering problem. First, check out our article about suspension noises here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaky-suspension/.
Our best guess based on your description we could guess it is either coming from an upper ball joint or lower control arm. Most suspension components like these are actually not greaseable to cut down on routine maintenance but require replacement of the whole joint or control arm.
I have a 2005 Ford Freestar. When I turn the wheel it makes a whining noise like it is low on power steering fluid. Check the fluid and it is full, and it only makes the noise when turning right. Any ideas and where I could start looking for the problem?
Robert,
Thanks for your question about your Ford Freestar. The whining noise you are describing could be an indication that your power steering pump is starting to wear out, that you have air in your power steering system or that there is a clog. If the pump is starting to wear out the noise will get louder and louder until the pump pulley begins to wobble. If you have air in the system it is because one of the low pressure side connections is loose or a seal is leaking allowing the pump to pull air into the system causing the whining noise. You would notice this by a loose connection or frothy fluid in the reservoir while the car is running. lastly, you could have a clog in your system due to debris or wear materials in the power steering fluid. This is the hardest problem to diagnose and can sometimes be cured by a power steering fluid flush, but sometimes requires the replacement of the clogged component, usually the rack.
I have Toyota corolla 2006, I started noticing from this week. I hearing noise (Kind of stone thrown to a steel plate at medium speed) when mostly turning the steering and sometime when I park and hearing the same noise in speed bump. I could not figure out exactly when it’s happening.
Raja,
Thanks for your question about your 2006 Corolla. The noise you are describing sounds like you have a worn lower ball joint, worn sway bar end link or a worn shock mount. To help you figure out which suspension component is causing the noise, check out our article about noisy suspensions here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaky-suspension/.
Thanks again for your question and if you have any other questions please leave us a comment on the bottom of that article.
-BlueDevil Pro
Hello,
I have a 2007 Mazda Mazda3 and when backing out of my driveway and then go forward to turn left, I turn my steering wheel all the way and once I begin turning, I hear a screeching noise. I live in a cul-de-sac, so when I am turning it is in a circle but when I’m done turning and going straight again, the noise stops. I am not sure why or where the sound is coming from.
Juliana
Thank you for your question about your 2007 Mazda. It sounds like you may need to replace or adjust your power steering belt. Your power steering pump is powered by a belt that is driven by the engine crank pulley. If the belt is loose or needs to be replaced it can screech when it slips on the pulley. When you first start the car and the power steering fluid is cold and thicker, or when you turn the wheel it puts more load on the power steering pump, making it harder to turn the pulley which makes the belt slip and screech.
Thank You!
-BDP
Thank you so much for your help!
I have a 2007 Honda Accord LX Sedan. Over the past month my car has been making a metallic scraping noise in the front when I turn the wheels to the right. It’s happens at low speeds, usually during the first minute or two of driving. I’m not sure where to start looking. Brakes? Suspension? Steering? Any thoughts would be helpful!
Thanks for your question! The noise you are describing is most often associated with brake issues. It could be an indication that your brake pads are getting low or that you need new brake rotors. For starters, try reading our article about brake noises here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaking-brakes/.
It is also possible that the noise you are hearing has to do with your CV joints. If you haven’t already, check out our article about that noise here: https://gobdp.com/blog/steering-wheel-noise/.
-BDP
Hi I have a 2009 Honda Accord, and when I’m driving normal speed I turn like a hard left or right into a parking spot, I hear a loud screeching noise, any ideas what can be the problem ?
Corey-
Most of the time screeching sounds are from your engine belt. Since the screech it happens when your turning it could also be your power steering system causing the problem. To figure out which is which start by checking your power steering fluid level. If it is low add BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/power-steering-stop-leak-00232/) to seal the leak and get things back to normal. If your power steering fluid level is correct then it may be time for a new belt. To check your belt look for cracks or shiny spots on the belt indicating it is worn or glazed. If you notice either of these you can replace your engine belt and hopefully quiet things down.
Thanks!
-BDP
Hi, i have a Subaru leone 93 station wagon and every time i turn the wheel slightly a crunching/clunking noise starts, it gets worse if i accelerate while turning. i believe that it comes from the front wheels. PLEASE HELP!!!!
Ben-
The sound you are describing sounds most like a worn CV joint. Since your car is all-wheel drive it could be due to a worn front CV joint in the front end. You may considering replacing both of your front CV axles to solve the problem.
Thanks!
-BDP
Hello,
My car which is a Saturn vue 2008 constantly moans. I can hear and feel it by the steering wheel. Even when I’m just sitting idle it gets even louder. I checked the fluid and it is full to the brim. So I”m not sure what else it could be? please help!
Jenny-
Thanks for your question about your Saturn Vue. If the problem happens even when you are not turning your steering wheel then the sound and vibrations you’re feeling probably are an indication that your power steering pump is going bad, or you have a major clog in your system.
If the sound only happens when you turn the steering wheel then the problem may actually be simply that your steering column needs to be lubricated. There is a rubber seal where the column goes through the firewall and that seal often can moan or rub as your turn the steering wheel. Simply apply a light coat of grease inside the boot where it contacts the column and it should quiet down.
Thanks!
-BDP
HAve an 04 civic si, recently changed my front pads and rotors and now MY driver’s side front wheel squeaks when I turn to the left. IT doesn’t make any noise when braking though. Any ideas?
Bryan-
Most of the time if brake noise starts right after changing your brakes it is due to a lack of lubrication on the pads or caliper. When you install new brakes you should apply disc brake lubricant (often called disk brake quiet) to the back side of both pads as well as the edges that slide in the spring clips or the caliper. Also, make sure you grease the slides on the caliper as well. When all this is properly lubricated it allows the pad to float inside the caliper when the brakes aren’t applied. If they aren’t properly lubricated they can stick in the caliper during turns and drag slightly on your brake disk.
Thanks!
-BDP
I have a 2006 Hyundai Elantra; whenever I turn right I hear a slight squeak/screech like sound repeatedly, and when I reverse and turn my wheel to the right, it makes a loud screeching sound. Any idea what that could be?
Mackenzie-
Based on your description, it sounds as though your power steering pump may have developed a leak. Check your power steering fluid and if it looks low, we recommend having the power steering pump replaced.
Thank you!
-BDP
I am having issues with the front end of my 04 Malibu. I replaced both front hub assemblies, inner and outer tie rods, front passenger side axle, and tires back in February. I am now hearing clicking while turning either way, huming while driving, and a lot of sway while driving. What do I need to do to fix this and keep it from happening again in 6 months?
Dalee,
Thanks for your question about your Malibu. It sounds like you’ve had quite a bit of maintenance done recently so we’re sorry you’re still having problems. The clicking and humming you’re experiencing typically indicate an issue with a CV joint and with the maintenance you’ve had done lately the only option left is that it could be your front driver’s side cv joints. The sway while you’re driving could be simply due to your tire pressure, so we’d recommend having that checked. It also could be an indication that your front shocks need to be replaced. You can test those by bouncing the front end of your car up and down and making sure it stops bouncing quickly after you stop pushing.
Hi – I have a Ford KA and when i turn at low speeds I have quite a loud creaking noise…. the steering is fine and my car is driving well its just the creaking noise is getting worse.
Sophie-
Based on your description, it sounds like you may have worn shocks or suspension bushings. Usually, that would be accompanied vibrations or a poor riding quality, so that fact that your Ford is driving well is making it hard to pinpoint the issue. We recommend bringing your vehicle to a certified ASE mechanic and having them inspect the front end.
Thank you!
-BDP
About a week ago when i was driving my 2002 buick rendezvous. I noticed a moaning noise. Also a noise like your driving over a rumble strip. But the noise only happens when i turn left. I checked my power steering fluid. It was almost empty so i added power steering fluid. The noise had went away for a day then came back. So i checked the fluid and it was full. Any ideas on what the noise can be?
Kesha-
The moaning noise in your Buick Rendezvous, along with the loss of power steering fluid, may be indicating a faulty power steering pump. We recommend having the power steering pump replaced and monitoring your power steering fluid to make sure you do not continue to lose any.
Thank you,
-BDP
I just inherited a 2006 Cadillac DTS from my mother in excellent condition. But i noticed a squeeking noise in the power steering when turning a few days ago. Check the fluid and it was very low. I filled it up and noticed this morning it is low again. Will the Blue Devil Power Steering Stop Leak be a good option for me to try?
Greg-
Yes, the BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak would be a great option to use in your Cadillac. First, you will want to fill your power steering reservoir to the proper level and then add 1/3 of a bottle of the BlueDevil. You can expect to notice results after about 100 miles of driving.
Thank You!
-BDP
So fill the power steering fluid UP to the level first?
Then add the 1/3 of the bottle? That won’t be considered OVERFILLING it?
Greg-
You should fill your power steering fluid up first, leaving just enough room for the recommended amount of the product, which will be a little less than 3oz.
Thank you!
-BDP
THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!
You have been AWESOME!!!!
Greg
I have a 2001 Honda Civic HX. I recently started hearing a clicking/rattling sound, similar to what a loose cat heat shield sounds like ( the cat heat shield is not rattling), coming from the from the left front of the car when i make right turns. it happens at low speeds and persists through acceleration until I have completed the turn. I have replaced both cv axles which both showed no sign of being bad. the boots where completely intact with no rot or grease on them. the car is still making the same noise. As its not a popping sound and the lower ball joints show no sign of being bad, Ive ruled out the lower ball joint. Ive crawled around under the car for hours making sure everything is tight and not rubbing, rattling, or making contact with anything it should not be. Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time.
-Z
Zac,
Thanks for your question about your Civic. The only thing we can think of that you haven’t checked is the dust shield on your brake rotor. There is a thin piece of metal, a lot like the heat shield on your cat that protects the back of your brake rotor from road dust and water. That may be what is rattling. You usually have to remove your wheel and tire to get a good look at that shield.
Hi Bluedevils,
Recently I have observed grind sound when I turn steering towards right, fortunately there is no noise when I turn towards left. loudness of grinding noise if proportional with the speed. Is it advisable to go on long drive? or 100miles.
Thanks
Vinay
Vinay-
The grinding sound you hear while turning your steering wheel is usually a symptom of worn brake components. You may want to have the shoes, pads and rotors looked at/replaced before taking the vehicle on any kind of a long trip.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a Hyundai Elantra 2006 Model. Before 2 Months My car was making a noise from the Power Steering Pump Belt while turning extreme left or Right. I observed that PS pump pulley facing a friction problem with belt and producing a noise. I went to Mechanic and they ask to replace all PS Belts which I did in my car. after that also there was a small noise still there during extreme left and right street. I ignored it. Later on During starting the car, same noise was there as well as it went worst while little left or right of steering and at this time PS Pump pulley was not running during extreme left or right. It was running during little slight left or right. I again went to Mechanic and he told that bearing in PS pump is bad and I replaced it. now during start up there is no issue. But PS Pump Pulley is still stopped if I turn my steering to extreme left or right. Meaning issue is still there. I want to eliminate the problem but looks like Mechanic is not able to find correct problem. I already spent around $400 to fix this problem
AALOK,
Thanks for your question about your Hyundai Elantra. It sounds like you’ve done all the things we would suggest so far, the last possibility is that there is a clog somewhere in your system making your power steering pump work extremely hard. You may be able to remove the clog by flushing the power steering system. If the flush doesn’t help quiet thing down, your only other option would be to replace the power steering rack which may be a relatively expensive procedure on your car.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
hello there i have a hond aaccord 1998 sedan vtec
and just the otherday coming home from work i started to hear not sure if its a creaking sound or screeching sound from front passenger side near the wheel.
At first i was told it was the wheel bearing that needs to be replaced but thats a humming sort of sound and this sound only occurs when turning steering wheel right regardless of the speed im doing slow or fast. would help greatly to get some insight on this please.
Alatina,
Thanks for your question about your Accord! The noise you’re describing doesn’t sound like a bad wheel bearing, it sounds more like you’ve got a worn suspension component, most likely a bad bushing or ball joint on the passenger side. Start by reading our article about squeaky suspensions here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaky-suspension/. If you have any other questions after that please leave us a comment.
Thanks again!
-BD Auto Pro
I replaced my front/rear pads and rotors on my 07 pontiac g6. Car brakes great but only problem is a loud squeak when tuening and not under braking. I greased the brakes and this fixed the problem but it only last 4-6 weeks the 2 times its happened. I replaced a worn slider pin but nothing else. This problem started after the brake job. I thought about replacing the brake hardware as the abutment clips are pretty rusted. Also this squeak happens after driving for 15mins.
Bob,
Thanks for your question about your G6! It sounds like you’ve discovered what the problem is if lubricating the pads got the squeak to go away. When lubricating your pads make sure you lubricate the backs where the rub against the caliper and piston but also the edges where they slide in the clips. You should also make sure you lubricate the caliper slides anytime you change your brakes as well as that will help the caliper release fully.
If you’ve already done all that, the sounds you’re hearing may be an indication that the pads you purchased aren’t a premium pad and it may be a noise you’re stuck with until you need to replace your brakes again.
Hello.
When turning and accelerating I hear a raspy sound and then it goes away shortly after the turn. I believe both left and right side. Any idea of what this could be? – Thanks!
Francesca,
Thanks for your question about your car. Based on your description it sounds like you might have rusty brakes. When you turn, it causes the brakes to shift in the caliper and if your rotors are rusty it can cause a grind or rub while you’re turning. Try reading our article about brake noise here:https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaking-brakes/
If you have any more questions, please leave us a comment there!
-BD Auto Pro
I have an 2008 F350 with 97k on it. Recently I have felt a clunking sensation mostly when I turn left but also when turning right. It is very noticeable on the highway at higher speeds especially once the truck has been driving for a while. I have replaced the ball joints, the tie rods and also the steering link from the pitman arm. The U joints appeared to be ok as well. I cant hearing anything when I turn the tire if it is on a jack and it does not make any noise until i start to slowly turn the wheel left (it is much worse than when turning to the right while driving). It also seems like I can feel the knocking sensation in the pedal at times but it is hard to really tell. Any ideas?
Chris,
Thanks for your question about your F350. It sounds like you’ve replaced just about everything in your front end that could be causing the problem. It’s a longshot, but you could try checking your tires for balance and make sure they have the correct air pressure in them. The fact that the problem gets worse after a long drive makes it seem like something is heating up causing the problem. The only components that really get warm after a long drive are your tires and your axles. We already talked about checking your tires so you might check your differential fluid and giving your u-joints a second look. Lastly, it is remotely possible your wheel bearing or front hub is causing the noise but if that was the case you probably would have discovered the problem while you had the tire off the ground by grabbing the tire at 12 and 6 o’clock and trying to rock it back and forth.
Thanks again for your question,
BD Auto Pro
I read with interest your comments on noises when turning the steering wheel.
When I turned the steering wheel on my 1996 Ford Windstar, to the right, I heard a sound like when I was a kid and pegged a playing card on my forks so that it would sound like an engine when the card dragged on the spokes. Anyway, that is what my Ford sounded like when I turned the wheel to the extreme left while moving.
I turned my wheel to the extreme left while parked and checked behind the wheel for broken boots etc and everything looked good. I then checked the front right wheel which of course was turned in, every thing seemed OK until I saw It!
The right side of the Ford has a 7 inch neoprene splash plate attached to the frame with rubber grommets. Sure enough, the splash plate has warped into a bow shape and was rubbing against the inside of the tire.
Solution was simple. I pried off the splash plate and now all is well. I wish all car problems could be that simple.
Jim
I have a 02 escort ZX2 and I have replaced both inner and outer tie rods after finding a bad outer tie rod, just this weekend I replaced the rotors and brake pads on the front due to warped rotor(s). The problem is that when I start to turn my steering wheel to the left, about less than a 1/4 turn, I get a very light almost unnoticeable clickand do not feel it unless I back off the 1/4 turn and turn again,even if I turn hard (full turn) any where in that full turn, back off then turn again and click. I tend to lean that the rack itself is slightly moving, maybe worn bushings? But someone tolde, or I read somewhere, can’t remember, that this car does not have bushings on the rack and pinion, I saw my sway bar links bushings are showing wear when I was replacing the rotors. sny ideas? The car does not wander, stays straight, steering is tight, ball joints are good, struts seem good, will be changing within the year, I do nit kniw the age of them as I bought this car about 6 months ago.
Thanks, John “Reno” Brown
John,
Thanks for your question about your Escort ZX2. The first question we have is if you got an alignment after you replaced your tie rods. If not, we would recommend doing that first. Even if things look and feel fine and computerized alignment will save your tire life, improve fuel mileage and might solve the clicking you’re feeling. I’m not sure if your vehicle’s rack and pinion is supported by bushings or hard mounted by it doesn’t seem like that would be the problem as that would produce more of a clunk. It is possible that the resistance you’re feeling is simply due to the new joints on the end of your tie rods so hopefully if you’ve kept driving the problem has subsided by now.
The other possibility is that your brakes are sticking. If you didn’t properly lubricate your brake pads during installation they could be sticking on the new rotors and causing the feeling you’re having. You should have add lubrication, like Disk Brake Quiet, to the back of both pads as well as the edges where the pads fit in the caliper. You can also lubricate the caliper slides to make sure everything is moving easily and smoothly.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
I have a 2011Nissan Rogue with about 46,000 miles on it that recently started making a loud squealing noise only when I turn left, or go over a bump/dip in the road. I took it to the shop and they CLAIM they checked EVERYTHING and that my car has every mechanic there stumped. I have no clue what it could be. they said it could be as simple as everything needing a little lube/grease but Nissan has made it humanly impossible for them to get in there to the parts to do so, so I’d have to take it to the dealer. Any thoughts/suggestions before I do so? The dealer always costs me an arm and a leg. we are supposed to be taking a trip about 8 hours from home in a month and I’d hate to drive it that far if it’s not in good enough shape.
Shelby,
Thanks for your question about your Nissan Roque. The squeaking noise you’re describing actually sounds more like a suspension issue than a steering issue. Try reading our article about squeaky suspension here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaky-suspension/.
Also, it is possible that your problem is something that would be covered under warranty since your car is so new so you can try that with the dealership.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
I drive a 2000 Ford Mustang, Rear Wheel Drive obviously, and recently I’ve noticed mine was making a horrible sounding grinding noise when I turned my wheel to the right, no matter if my car is moving or if it is parked. It started off maybe once a day, every other day or so but, now it’s whenever I turn the wheel, moving or parked. Even if it’s not big enough of a turn to effect the direction my car is moving in.
Any ideas on what my problem could be? Thanks in advance!
Nick,
Thanks for your question about your 2000 Mustang. Since you hear the noise when you are driving or stopped, it sounds like the grinding noise is coming from a suspension component rather than your brakes or wheel bearings. Try looking under the front end of your car for worn suspension components, shinny spots where metal might be rubbing, and torn bushings. For more information on suspension noises, check out our article about that here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaky-suspension/.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
Maybe you guys can help. I have a constant power steering hum when I drive, it does not matter if I am turning, going straight, driving or stopped, the hum is always there. 3 months ago, I took the SUV into Kent Auto Repair, two days later, and 3 powering steering pumps later, the hum still persists, in fact, it never went away, and felt that Kent Auto Repair did nothing more then change a few parts, and left me with a $1500+ bill, however, he did mention that it could be a restriction, and something about the rack & pinion, but after they defrauding me, they did not step up and fix what they were paid to fix to begin with….
Any ideas?
Thanks
John,
It does sound like your mechanic is correct in that it is a clog or restriction in your power steering system causing a high pressure in the pump and the humming noise you’re hearing. Clogs like this are almost always in the rack and pinion as there are a lot of small passages in the rack. Sometimes you can remove the clog by flushing your power steering system, but unfortunately sometimes it requires the replacement of the whole rack and pinion which can be another expensive job.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
I just bought an Acura TSX 2005. Today the belt seemed to be making a loud whining noise. I noticed that the more I accelerated the car, the more difficult it was to turn the steering wheel. I also noticed that when I turn the wheel when in park the RPM goes up. What should I do?
Steve,
Thanks for your question about your TSX and congratulations on the new car! Whining noises and hard steering usually indicate a bad power steering pump or clogged power steering rack. Your car should increase RPM when you turn the wheels while you’re stopped. The computer knows to do that to make sure the power steering pump has enough pressure to move the wheels while the car isn’t moving, so that’s normal.
If your power steering pump is going bad, you should be able to tell by taking your engine belt off and turning the pump by hand. If there is resistance or the pulley feels wobbly, then the pump is bad. If not then a power steering flush may be able to remove the clog and get you back to normal.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
I have a 2006 subaru impreza and I’m getting a squeel from the power steering pump only on cold starts. Fluid is fine and belts are new and tight.
Jacob,
Thanks for your question about your 2006 Subaru Impreza. The squealing could be an indication that your belt needs to be replaced. Over time, the rubber int he belt will start to harden and get slippery, especially when it’s cold. You could try replacing the belt and see if the noise goes away. This also could be an indication that you have a clog in your power steering system or you power steering pump is starting to go bad. For more information on that, check out our blog about that here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
Hello there!
I have a 2010 Chevy Captiva and I noticed a sharp squeaking noise that occurs in intervals when the wheels start turning/moving, but usually disappears after moving a few meters. There is no noise, however, when moving in reverse from parking position. No noise when turning or when applying the brakes; nor in high/low speeds. Just during those few seconds after starting the car and moving for a few meters
Of note though, I haven’t changed the brake pads for over a year now, but the last time I took it to a mechanic (about a week ago) he said the brakes were “halfway through” and just cleaned/lubricated the pads.
Hope you guys can give some insight. Thanks!
Ralph,
Thanks for your question about your Captiva. The noise you’re describing does sound like the early indication that your brake pads need to be replaced but if they’ve recently been lubricated and inspected hopefully it’s just the pads getting situated again. For a quick read on brake noise so you can understand what’s going on, try reading this article about that: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaking-brakes/.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
I have a Kia Pride DOM 1999.
I am having a rumbling, metallic and dull noise at the front right side especially when I turn the steering wheel anticlockwise.
It is present all the time a especially on rough terrain and ramps
Alfred-
Thank you for asking about your Kia. Is the system low on power steering fluid? If you are only hearing the noise when turning the wheel to a particular side, it’s possible you hearing the symptoms of a worn/faulty wheel bearing. Driving the vehicle under this condition would be extremely dangerous, so bringing the vehicle to a shop would be the recommendation.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2007 Lexus ES 350 and I have the following issues,
1. When I accelerate to about 40mph the car starts shaking but immediately I cross 50mph it goes away, please guide me on what may cause this.
2. I hear a single loud sound when I turn full left (U-turn mostly) and my steering doesn’t return when I turn it full to the left at a U-turn, but when I turn right it works perfectly.
3. I feel some shakes when I apply my brakes on top speed and it seems the brakes don’t engage properly, The car still moves a bit forward before it stops.
4. My steering wheel if left in a straight position takes the car to the right.
5. Also while driving at low speed I can hear a continuous scrub noise coming from my left front legs.
Umoh-
Thank you for asking about your Lexus. Based on your description of the different issues your vehicle is having, one likely cause is worn brake pads. You mentioned the brakes didn’t seem to engage properly and the scrub noise heard when driving the vehicle at low speeds. Worn brake pads would explain both of these symptoms.
It also seems like you may have an issue with bad wheel bearings, broken motor mounts, loose wheel nuts and alignment. All of these are serious issues and it would not be safe to drive the vehicle under these conditions. We recommend bringing the vehicle to a mechanic for a proper diagnosis and repair.
Thank you!
-BDP
My Chevrolet Matiz (Daewoo spark) 2005 makes grinding sound when turning the wheel. Power steering, no oil leaks and replaced pump and oils twice. I didn´t see this question in this discussion. Kristina on September 2, 2014 probably has no power steering and greasing the joints help. This grind appears when car is stationary and disappears as the “lubrication” reaches the steering box. There is the typical pump noise from air bubbles and a mechanical grinding, which feels like a part is lose having turned too hard. I have bought a new steering box from Autodoc, but should I pay to replace it at this time, if there are no other fixes?
Teemu-
Thank you for asking about your Chevrolet Matiz. A grinding sound when turning the wheel is most commonly attributed to a wheel bearing going bad or worn brake pads. We recommend bringing the vehicle to a mechanic for inspection as soon as possible. Driving the vehicle under this condition could be quite dangerous, and could leave you stranded if not dealt with in a timely manner.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2010 accord that produces a noise at low speed and only if weight is on the passenger side. The noise sound like a creaky door hinge and can be heard inside and out the car. Checked underneath car and ball joints etc seems to be fine. Also took extra step and lubed everything and still the noise. Not sure what it is any thoughts would be helpful.
Renea-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Accord. Does the noise seem to intensify when you increase speed? Have you noticed any other symptoms, like when turning to a particular side? Based on your description, it may be best to bring the vehicle in for inspection. It can be difficult to diagnose the cause of the noise without some further testing.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2015 Malibu that makes noises on occasions that mostly sound like clicking noise and an occasional noise like a metal component’s fasteners have come loose and it is about to come out. Typically worse at low speeds, turning left and uphill surface. No sign of grease leakage or damaged boots and shaking the car up/down and side/side won’t recreate. It usually is 3-5 clicks in a turn and maybe worse with heavy braking but doesn’t always make a noise . What should I check for? Thanks for all of your feedback and knowledge on this site!
Bryan-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Malibu. Based on your description, it sounds as though you may have an issue with worn brake pads. You mentioned the noise was typically worse when turning left, so the left side brake pad could be wearing thinner than the right. If you are hearing a noise, however, it is definitely a sign that something is wrong with the vehicle and should be brought to a service shop for inspection asap.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 14’ Rouge and it makes a repetitive swish sound when only turning to the right like when pulling into a parking spot or when driving on a high way get on ramp that make you go in a half or full circle to get in the highway.
KD-
Thank you for asking about your Nissan Rogue. The sound you’ve indicated is difficult to diagnose. The best place to start would be to check your power steering fluid reservoir. If it appears low, top the system back up with fluid and see if that corrects the issue. If not, you may want to have the vehicle inspected. Something minor can turn major if not addressed in time.
Thank you!
-BDP
I noticed an invention behind my steering wheel on the plastic piece behind it 2015 Ford F-150 where the steering wheel is rubbing against the plastic piece should I be worried about this or is it probably the plastic expanding because this is the hottest summer I’ve had since we’ve had this truck I don’t have any problems with the steering or anything I just noticed and see the steering wheel slightly rubbing against the back of it
Hello
I have a 2011 Mercedes R350 Bluetec that has a vibration at highway speeds above 60mph, and does this regardless of whether I am using my summer or winter wheels. The feel is different from an unbalanced wheel, it causes my passenger seat (and rear seats, albeit less) to vibrate in a front back motion. I can feel the vibration in the floorboards too, as opposed to just the steering wheel when it is a balancing issue.
Not sure if it is related but I have a grinding noise when I make a full turn of the steering (eg backing out of my garage and making a full turn to drive onto the street that my house is adjacent to). There is also sometimes a rubber boot noise, sounds like something is rubbing on a rubber boot but my mechanic says he doesn’t see any damage to the front rubber boots. This noise is obviously most noticeable when I am at extremely low speeds.
Appreciate any input or advice!
Thanks.
Hi there,
I have a 2023 Toyota Venza Limited Edition. It has popping sound when I am turning steering wheel while slow speed or stationary. According to Toyota dealer, they said that’s caused by body flex. They told me that’s normal. I am just wondering what you think of their explanation.
Hi, I have a 2013 GMC Terrain SLT and when I turn my steel onto the right. I get a humming rubbing type noise. I do on the left but not so much as the right. I don’t think it’s the bearings, but I’m not sure. Is there something that they make that
Randy-
Thank you for asking about your GMC Terrain. Unfortunately, a humming sound would typically indicate that the wheel bearing is going bad. It could also be that the cv joint is going bad, especially if the noise is only there when turning to the right. Either way, it would be worth bringing the vehicle to a certified mechanic before the situation gets worse.
Thank you!
-BDP