It is important that extraneous noises during the movement of the car can appear at any speed. Car creaks when turning the steering wheel in one direction or another, the driver hears an uncharacteristic rattle even when driving at a speed of 30 km / h. It is noteworthy that when the steering wheel is turned, the rattle can be heard even when the car is stationary.
Modern car models are equipped with power steering (power steering) so that the steering wheel rotates as easily and silently as possible. A slight hum or hissing sounds are allowed for basic configurations when the steering wheel is turned to the extreme positions. However, there should be no rattle or creaking, regardless of whether the power steering is installed or not.
Determining the cause of uncharacteristic noises of the car creaks when turning the steering wheel is difficult. The first step is to establish the source of uncharacteristic sounds and additional symptoms. Indeed, in some cases, the driver not only hears unusual sounds but also feels problems in the management.
Common causes of car creaks when turning
The driver of any vehicle should perceive an extraneous creak or rattle in the car’s mechanisms as an alarm signal. Indeed, we often talk about the mechanical wear of the element or its failure, which threatens a loss in steering.
Several problems in the following nodes can cause the rattle car creaks when turning the steering wheel in place and motion:
errors during the procedure “dismantling-collapse”;
steering rack;
steering column;
power steering;
CV joints;
ball bearings;
silent blocks;
plastic elements of the interior and body.
Depending on the location of the sound, it is necessary to analyze the problem and eliminate it.
In most malfunctions, you will have to turn to specialists since self-elimination of the problem will be difficult due to the complexity of the car’s design and the risk of errors.
Improper wheel alignment of car creaks when turning
If tires act as a source of creaking when cornering and during parking when the steering wheel is unscrewed, then there is a high probability that the problem lies not in the steering itself but incorrect wheel alignment.
Incorrect installation of the front pair of wheels will immediately affect the life of the rubber: uneven wear will quickly disable it. Therefore, when diagnosing wheel alignment errors, it is recommended to contact the tire service and repeat this procedure immediately. It is better to use electronic equipment since, in this case, errors in setting the correct position of a pair of wheels will be minimized.
Problems with the steering rack and steering column
One of the most common causes of rattle car creaks when turning the steering wheel to the left or right is a malfunction in the steering rack. A strong vibration accompanies the creaking of the rack or column on the steering wheel. If the noise and vibration are not strong, then the further operation of the car is allowed. However, during driving, the symptoms of wear on the control elements increase, which makes replacing the mechanism a necessary procedure.
The steering rack on cars produced in the last decade is a very complex mechanism. The car owner can only inspect the anthers and identify their condition. However, it is advisable to entrust a deeper analysis of the problem and repair work to professionals. The slightest mistake when repairing or replacing this mechanism can result in a loss of control at high speed, so it is highly not recommended to fix the problem yourself.
Squeaky tie rod ends
The tie rod can also creak due to the deformation of the anthers. If the anther is torn, sand can get into the tip through it, which causes squeaks. When inspecting the node, it will be necessary to identify gaps.
You can only fix the problem by replacing a pair of tie rod ends with all components. Replacement can be done on your own if the car owner has the skills to maintain his vehicle independently.
The tie rod end may make unusual sounds in rare cases due to friction with adjacent mechanisms. You will need to adjust the position of the tips, as well as replace the anthers. If one tip in a pair has signs of wear, then the entire pair is changed.
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