Main Causes of Steering Wheel Makes Noise When Turning

Under normal circumstances, no steering wheel makes noise when turning. It will run smoothly when you turn a corner. However, if there is any problem with the engine or other parts, the car will make different types of noise. Remember that taking a turn involves the operation of many internal components. So, if any of them is worn out or damaged, you will hear the car makes a noise when turning.

Car Makes Noise When Turning: The Main Causes

When a vehicle creates a whining, groaning, or creaking sound at the time of taking a curve on the road, it indicates something serious. Lubricating the parts could help temporarily but they are likely to fail eventually if you don’t work on a fix. Let’s check out the reasons for a steering wheel makes noise when turning:

At low speeds

If the car makes noise when turning at low speeds, look into the power steering system or the suspension.

If you hear creaking, popping, or clunking sounds, the possible culprits are broken or worn-out suspension joints. They are supposed to wear out over time since they endure the impact of the bumps on the road and carry the weight of the vehicle. A damaged joint allows the suspension components to scrape the connecting point, which creates the sounds.

On the other hand, a whining sound could be the result of a damaged power steering pump. It’s definitely the pump if the noise comes from the front of the engine.

At high speeds

The problem is definitely with the CV joints, bearings, or differentials if steering steel makes noise when turning at high speeds.

If the sound comes out as clicking or crunching, look into the CV joints. A bad coupling is a reason for your car making the commotion at the time of a tight turn. However, inspect the wheel bearings when the noise appears like humming. The bearings carry the load when a vehicle shifts its weight during a turn. Ignoring the problem will create uneven tire wear or even wobbling wheels if the matter turns serious.

At normal Speed

Some bad components could create whining, squealing, and screeching sounds at the time taking turns at a normal speed. A damaged part of the power steering system is the possible reason for such noises.

A low level of power steering fluid or a loose belt is a minor problem that you can fix easily. However, the system also has a belt that drives the pump on the front of the engine, a tie rod that acts a link between the steering gear and knuckles (the attaching point of the wheels), and the hoses that create a bridge between the pump and the gear. One or some of these components can break, crack, or wear out over time. When this happens, the warning sign will be the steering wheel makes noise when turning.

All of these problems will become serious if you ignore them continuously. So, take the car to auto servicing whenever you hear something weird at the time of taking a turn.

Knocking And Clunking Noise When Turning: What Are The Culprits

1. Bad tie rods

Tie rods play a key part in the system, they connect the steering arm to a vehicle’s steering rack. By doing this, tie rods will connect the tire direction with the turning of the steering wheel, which helps drivers to control their cars. However, when a tie rod end is loose or worn, car owners can notice immediately a clunking noise.

More than that, worn tie rod ends also make turning more vague, and creaking noise when turning the steering wheel. So if a car makes noise when turning, tie rods are the part drivers need to check.

2. Bad sway bar link

Unlike tie rods, anti-roll bar, or sway bar link takes responsibility for reducing body roll while turning or cornering. It also helps keep the four-wheel vehicle stabilized on the road, and avoid rolling over when having a sharp turn. However, if your car makes noise when turning, especially a clunking sound, the sway bar could have broken or damaged. And it needs to be fixed soon. Not only the knocking noise when turning the steering wheel, your vehicle will also have difficulty handling. 

3. Bad ball joints

Last but not least, ball joints are the parts connecting the wheel hubs to the rest of the suspension components.

For that reason, if a ball joint goes bad or fails, you may notice a creaking noise when turning the steering wheel, which will be louder over time. Depending on different cars, a few ball joints per wheel may not be load-bearing. So if your car makes noise when turning, check the bad ball joints now.

You can refer to this video to know more:

Causes Of Creaking Noise When Turning Steering Wheel

1. Dry suspension bushings

Just like all other car parts, bushings wear out. And when this happens, they deteriorate, crack, and create creaking noise when turning the steering wheel. Drivers need to replace them fast to reduce the risk of accidents.

2. Damaged power steering rack

The power steering pump, belt, and rack are other car parts to talk a look at when you have a creaking noise when turning the steering wheel. Since when these parts are damaged or worn, they will create a creaking sound. Also, they will sound even louder during low-speed turning, so car owners can notice very easily.

3. Worn struts/shocks

Struts and shocks are very helpful. However, if your car makes noise when turning and you can see fluid on the side of your front shocks, then we have bad news for you. Your shocks and struts are worn and they need to be changed. Another thing to notice is the car movement: You will feel loose and bouncy when going over bumps.

4. Worn ball joints

Another essential part is the ball joint, controlling the steering knuckles and arms. These ball joints allow drivers to control and adjust the movement of the vehicles. For that reason, they should be lubricated in order to perform their actions.

Yet, the grease will wear out sooner or later, and when this occurs, car makes noise when turning.

5. Tire problems

If your car makes a noise when turning left or right, the cause can come from your tires, it could be due to the specific road surface in some places. However, this problem can also indicate that the wheels need alignment, the tread on the tire is worn or uneven, or the car’s tires are not properly inflated.

6. Damaged tie rod ends

Last but not least, if your car makes noise when turning, tie rod ends are definitely the place to notice. When drivers turn the steering wheel, the whole system will move the wheels thanks to tie rods.

7. Car interior

A number of other factors can be the cause of the squeal, especially with new cars, such as the interior trim. The rattle from the steering wheel can be caused by plastic or interior components rubbing against each other. High temperatures can cause metals and other materials to expand, closing gaps and causing rattles.

Sum Up

These are the potential causes behind the problem that your steering wheel makes noise when turning. The noise from the steering wheel system can be caused by many different things so make sure you identify the exact culprit to get the problem right timely. The noise while driving not only distracts the driver and causes an accident, but it’s also a warning sign that there’s a problem with your car.