Creaking when turning the steering wheel is a problem that every driver faces. Some people notice extraneous sounds immediately, others realize this after several years of continuous use of the car. Squeaks are often common causes of breakdown or malfunction of a mechanism. Problems show themselves under certain circumstances. In our case, this occurs when turning the steering wheel. Let's consider what causes exist, as well as methods for eliminating an unpleasant squeak.
Creaking when turning while moving and standing still
While driving, sooner or later the driver hears various sounds coming from different sides of the car. The creaking of the steering wheel is the most annoying, and the sound can appear completely suddenly and disappear just as quickly. You can protect yourself from various noises in the cabin by installing sound insulation. However, this does not change the fact that sooner or later the squeak will have to be eliminated.
The steering rack usually squeaks when turning. Noises occur both at speed and “in place.” Experts say that the steering wheel must turn silently. And if the driver hears creaks, then you need to immediately find out their source of origin. All that is acceptable in this situation is a slight hiss, and other sounds are completely unacceptable.
Bottom line
If it so happens that your car’s bearing is humming when turning right or left, don’t put off repairs. Contact a car repair shop. If you have the skills, you can replace the wheel bearing yourself. The main thing is to do it on time. If the hum is barely noticeable, use Suprotek tribotechnical restoring lubricant. As practice shows, in this case you can count on 10-15 thousand kilometers without much risk.
Well, when the noise intensifies, rattling or crunching sounds are added at the beginning of movement - urgently replace the bearing.
Sources
- https://shosse.ru/remont/rulevaya-sistema/chto-delat-i-kak-ispravit-esli-slyshen-skrip-i-skrezhet-pri-povorote-rulya/
- https://AvtoNov.com/%D1%81%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BF-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B8-%D0%BF%D0%BE %D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B5-%D1%80%D1%83%D0%BB%D1%8F/
- https://okeydrive.ru/pochemu-skripit-rul-pri-povorote-osnovnye-prichiny/
- https://DriverTip.ru/osnovy/skrezhet-ili-skrip-pri-povorote-rulya.html
- https://rad-star.ru/pressroom/articles/skrip-v-kolese-pri-povorote-rulya/
- https://howcarworks.ru/%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81/%D1%81%D1%82%D1%83%D0%BA- %D1%81%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BF-%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B8-%D0%B3%D1%83%D0%BB-%D0% BF%D1%80%D0%B8-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B5-%D1%80%D1% 83%D0%BB%D1%8F-%D0%B2-%D1%87%D1%91%D0%BC-%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%B3%D1%83%D1%82-% D0%B1%D1%8B%D1%82%D1%8C-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%8B
- https://suprotec.ru/suprotek-stati/gul-shum-podshipnika-pri-povorote-chto-delat/
- https://auto-self.ru/skrezhet-stuk-svist-slyshen-pri-povorote-rulya-v-chem-prichina-i-kak-eto-ispravit/
- https://1autoguide.ru/rulevoe-ypravlenie/pri-povorote-rulya-skripit-prichiny
- https://FB.ru/article/287237/rezinovyiy-skrip-pri-povorote-rulya-na-meste—shkoda-logan-priora-folksvagen
The most common causes of a squeaking steering wheel
Many car owners wonder why a squeak is heard when turning the steering wheel; the reasons for this phenomenon are unclear to them. Firstly, you need to understand that a machine that has been in use for more than 10-15 years will in any case make squeaks. This is a natural phenomenon and should not be surprising. Characteristic sounds appear abruptly, they indicate a breakdown or malfunction. It is necessary to eliminate the breakdown as soon as possible, otherwise failure of control at speed or poor steering function will negatively affect driving. Let's look at the most common causes of squeaks.
Incorrect wheel alignment
The wheels themselves can produce an unpleasant grinding noise. There is no need to dismiss this version. If the driver determines that the source of the sound is the tires, then the fault is not hidden in the steering wheel, but in the incorrect wheel alignment. This indicates that the tread wears unevenly, which is not good for the tires in general. Based on this “symptom,” the master is able to determine the need to set angles.
The reason for the squeak in this situation is very simple - an incorrectly aligned wheel touches the locker or other body part. If you ignore the problem, the rubber will wear out faster, which will cause it to fail. It is recommended to set the wheel alignment and check it using special equipment. If a car owner notices this “symptom”, then he needs to visit a tire shop. Electronic equipment will help set the wheel position correctly, and the grinding noise will stop bothering the driver.
Problems with the steering column or rack
A problem with the steering column or rack may cause a grinding noise when turning the steering wheel. In this case, the creaking occurs simultaneously with vibrations on the steering wheel. To better understand the problem, you need to understand how the column works. It is a casing that covers the shaft. Its main purpose is to secure the internal elements and transmit torque to the mechanism. Because of the casing, shocks and vibrations that were not absorbed by the suspension are mitigated.
If the creaking noise when turning the steering wheel is weak, then you can operate the car. But over time, the elements wear out, the creaking intensifies, which means the mechanism requires replacement. As for the steering rack, it is a complex system, especially on cars that were produced a long time ago. The car owner can identify the condition of the anthers, but it will not be possible to conduct a deep diagnosis. For this you need to turn to the experts.
Silent blocks
Silent blocks are elements that can cause the steering wheel to creak. This problem appears during hot weather and now we will explain why. If the air temperature outside is quite high and suddenly the steering wheel begins to creak, then the first thing you need to do is check the silent blocks. This symptom indicates their wear and tear. The parts are made of rubber. During the heat, the rubber dries out, thereby shrinking, especially if it is already old. This is what makes the driver hear the squeak. Fortunately, modern silent blocks on cars are made of polyurethane. In the heat it does not dry out, which means it does not make squeaks.
Bearings
Once the bearings fail, they begin to make strange noises. The driver hears a crackling sound, as well as a squeaking sound when he turns the steering wheel. Sounds occur when the lubricant runs out inside or dirt gets in. This accordingly reduces the resource of the element. To be more precise, the noise is made by the wheel bearing. It lasts about 50-150 thousand kilometers. The specific figure depends on the make of the car, but the front elements wear out faster.
Plastic creaking
Any budget car, unfortunately, makes squeaks by default. This is normal for the economy car segment. This cannot be avoided, since the quality of the plastic and fasteners is poor. 2 years after purchasing a new car, the driver already notices a grinding noise, and with regular use, this sound manifests itself even earlier. You can eliminate squeaks using Madeline. You can carry out the procedure yourself, but it will take a lot of time. It is best to first fix the loose elements and only then carry out processing.
CV joints and ball joints
The ball joint generates squeaks if it wears out. In addition, the driver can hear knocking noises in any steering wheel position. Experts advise replacing the support immediately, as it can fail at the most inopportune moment. If the owner operates the car correctly and does not practice extreme driving, then the ball joints will serve him for a long time. At the same time, you need to keep an eye on the condition of the anthers. If you keep an eye on these two nodes, you won't hear any squeaks in the near future.
As for the CV joint, it, of course, takes part in transmitting torque from the gearbox to the wheels. The occurrence of crunching and creaking when turning the steering wheel in place makes it clear that the CV joint is gradually failing. The needle bearing makes a strange sound.
Many drivers are interested in which CV joint makes the crunching noise. In fact, CV joints are internal and external. The second option crunches more often. If the car enthusiast understands that the problem lies with him, then there is no need to worry. You can replace it after driving another 5-10 thousand kilometers. During diagnostics, it is also possible that the part will not have to be changed - the solution to the problem may be a simple replacement of the boot or updating the lubricant.
Rubber creaking
Rubber squeaks are not such a popular problem, but they do occur. The problems lie in the design of the machine. To find out where the sound is coming from, the car is placed on an overpass, and then they look for the fault itself. The most common sources of grinding noise are silent blocks, wheels or seals.
Service
In order for the steering to work properly, the driver must know how to properly maintain and operate it. To do this, you should carry out maintenance: change the oil in the power steering pump, if the tips or steering rods are worn, replace them with new ones, check the wheel alignment and adjust them if the angles do not match. Spare parts and oil must be from high-quality and original manufacturers. During operation, the driver must monitor the condition of the steering and the proper operation of the hydraulic or electric booster.
There must also be no air in the hydraulic system. This will ensure a moderate load on the device pump. Check the tightness of the bolts in the connections of the steering linkage or the mounting of the steering mechanism to the body, as well as the tightness of the electric motor or pump. If there is a lot of play on the rack, it can be tightened. But try not to overdo it. As a result, even with power steering, you will have tight and uncomfortable steering. While standing still, it is not recommended to turn the wheels too much. Do not twist them all the way. This will reduce the load on the steering rack, drive belt and pulleys, power steering pump or electric motor. Also, after turning the car’s wheels in place, you should not move away abruptly and rev the engine. This significantly accelerates the wear of steering parts. In addition, the service life of constant velocity joints will be reduced if the car is front-wheel drive. If the mechanism uses a cardan drive, it is recommended to periodically lubricate the joints. This is done by extrusion. Litol universal lubricant is used. It can be used for injection of car king pins if the design uses an independent beam at the front.
Power steering malfunction
The power steering system consists of a steering gear, pump, hydraulic lines and reservoir. A malfunction can affect any of the above elements, and the incorrect operation of even one of them negatively affects the operation of the others. The owner of a vehicle cannot always determine exactly what has gone wrong.
The first component that often fails is the steering mechanism. Characteristic symptoms of its damage include:
• Leaks.
• Knocking noise when driving on uneven surfaces.
• Uneven support (different support force when turning the steering wheel left and right).
• Complete lack of support when turning the steering wheel in one or both directions.
• The appearance of the support is delayed, only some time after turning on the car, in hot oil.
• The steering wheel does not return after turning the wheels.
A hydraulic booster is something that every modern car has today. If the owner hears a squeaking noise when turning the steering wheel while driving, then the problem may be with the power steering. It turns the steering wheel into a wheel that rotates softly and smoothly. But when the power steering is faulty, the steering wheel makes strange sounds and squeaks. On the one hand, the problem may not be serious. For example, when the belt has weakened and lost its elasticity. But on the other hand, noise can be caused by a small amount of fluid in the power steering. Then the sounds are heard “on the spot”, and not while driving.
And the most serious problem is a malfunction of the pump or other parts of the amplifier. It is this problem that requires immediate professional intervention.
In this situation, symptoms may include the following:
• the appearance of foam in the booster;
• flow of power steering fluid from the reservoir;
• steering wheel jamming;
• loud operation of the pump when moving forward;
• humming or knocking noise when turning;
• less steering resistance with increasing speed;
• no assistance when turning the steering wheel in both directions.
It should be remembered that symptoms of a malfunction are not always clear signals. It happens that they will be almost invisible, and the power steering system will suddenly begin to refuse to obey. Regardless of the reason, a driver should under no circumstances attempt to repair a vehicle themselves without proper knowledge and experience in this area. By using the services of a specialized workshop, the driver can be sure that not only the malfunction will be properly diagnosed, but also, if necessary, repaired on site with a guarantee.
Noises from power steering
Despite the fact that electric power steering is being introduced very often today, the main driver assistant when steering in most passenger cars remains power steering. This unit may make noise due to a lack of working fluid. In this case, you need to add it to a tank specially designed for this purpose. Just add the same liquid that the manufacturer used, the amplifier itself is configured specifically for the operating parameters of a particular product, and the use of a different liquid can be very negatively perceived by the amplifier. In addition to the lack of working fluid, the cause of noise in the power steering can be its pump, if it is about to die, you also need to check the condition of the power steering belt, because certain difficulties can also arise with it. And if the condition of the power steering belt makes you suspicious, it is better to replace the belt.
Other reasons
When the driver realizes that his steering wheel is creaking when turning, he begins to look for the cause. However, the malfunction may lie in different elements of the car system. Specific car brands have their own specific reasons, which are not discussed in this article. The variety of steering systems is so great that there are many causes of malfunction.
In any case, whatever the cause of the problem, it must be eliminated as soon as possible. And it will be good if a professional does this. It's best to see a mechanic as soon as you notice any warning signs that could indicate a problem with your power steering or other critical components. Underestimating minor problems can lead to their aggravation and complete destruction of the system, which is associated with expensive repairs.
The plastic casing creaks
Every driver knows that when actively using a car that is not of the best build, “crickets” will appear over time. They represent creaks of the front panel, including the steering casing, made of plastic. This problem is solved in various ways, depending on the car model.
If all the parts described above have been inspected and the cause of the squeak cannot be determined, it is also recommended to check the power steering drive belt and brake elements, especially the pads and discs.
How to determine the cause?
Unfortunately, not every driver can easily determine the cause of the squeak. This is almost impossible to do without a thorough diagnosis. Sounds appear when one or more elements of the car system are not working properly. It is quite difficult to understand which part is “capricious”.
Before going to the workshop, you need to pay attention to the following points:
1. What type of sound is heard.
2. The circumstances under which sound occurs.
3. Is the creaking heard regularly or does it appear at certain moments?
4. Are there any other problems with the sound?
All these symptoms need to be told to the technician so that it is easier for him to understand the operation of the machine. The easier it is to identify a problem, the faster it can be eliminated.
When the shock absorber is faulty
Sometimes the cause of the noise is the creaking of the support bearing when turning the steering wheel. If creaking and howling noises occur no matter which way you turn, check the shock absorbers. Often the problem is in the bearings of this unit. It may be enough to remove any dirt that has clogged up under the boot. How to diagnose? Read on.
Try turning the steering wheel while standing still. Even better, ask an assistant to “steer”, while you listen and watch the movement of the shock absorber spring into the gap between the upper edge of the tire and the wing arch. If the part turns jerkily, as if something is interfering with it, it means that the support bearing creaks when turning the steering wheel. It's simple. There is no movement - neither the transmission nor the hubs can make noise - the shafts and wheels do not rotate. In this case, the only thing to suspect is the shock absorber struts.
Elimination method
The method for eliminating squeaks when turning the steering wheel is quite simple. First you need to find the cause and element that makes extraneous sounds. If the outer hinges are worn, they should be replaced. If the front wheel bearings are worn out or the hub nut is loosened, these fasteners must be tightened and the bearings replaced.
In cases where a spring creaks when turning the steering wheel in different directions, it means that it is broken. It needs to be replaced, and it is advisable to do it in pairs at once.
If the steering wheel, steering column bracket, steering mechanism, rack adjusting bolt, steering rod ball pins, or bolts securing the lower flange of the elastic coupling on the gear shaft make knocking noises when turning the steering wheel due to loose fastening, then tighten the threaded connections and adjust the steering column.
Tie rods and tie rods
Due to natural wear and tear, the lugs and rods may, over time, become loose and squeak and make knocking noises when turning the machine. To diagnose, you need to jack up the car on the side where the annoying sound is coming from and first remove the wheel. Next, you need to shake the rods and tips and check for any play in them. It often happens that the boot on the tip breaks, which means dirt and moisture gets inside. This causes a corresponding knock.
There are cases when, for example, when performing a wheel alignment operation, a car enthusiast or master forgets to tighten the fastening nut between the steering rod and the steering tip. Accordingly, when you turn the steering wheel, both in motion and at a standstill, a loud metallic knock will be heard. You can determine more precisely if you shake the front wheel left and right with your hands, it will dangle and make similar sounds.
Steering knuckle bearings
If, when turning the steering wheel, the driver hears an uncharacteristic squeak, which can sometimes appear quite suddenly, it is worth listening to the steering knuckle.
When the sound comes from there, the cause most likely lies in worn bearings.
These bearings can squeak and make cracking noises if there is no lubricant inside or if sand or other abrasive contaminants have entered the housing.
Untimely replacement can have dangerous consequences. It is recommended to remove the bearing from the steering knuckle and check it for defects. If they are not there, lubricant is added and the part is returned to its place. If defects are detected, a new bearing similar to the previous one is used.
Troubleshooting Techniques
The rubber creaking of the suspension while driving indicates damage to various oil seals, anthers and protective covers. These parts are not repairable, so only replacing them can save the situation. When inspecting the vehicle's chassis, it is necessary to pay attention to the presence of mechanical damage and the degree of natural wear of all rubber elements.
Diagnostics of shock absorbers
The problematic components of the suspension are shock absorbers, which quickly fail due to the unsatisfactory condition of the roads. A properly functioning part should not have any oil leaks, and when the vehicle rocks, the shock absorber should dampen vibrations. Note that these signs appear first, in contrast to third-party noises when the car rocks, and are direct evidence of the failure of the shock absorbers. In this condition, the mechanism can still work for some time, but it is better to replace it immediately.
You can check the shock absorber like this:
- Remove the part from the car and inspect the condition of its upper and lower fasteners.
- Place the shock absorber in a vertical position.
- The performance of a shock absorber can be assessed by acting on its rod. If the resistance when moving the rod down is significantly less than when it moves up, then the mechanism is working properly.
- Free movement of the rod can be caused either by the penetration of air into the part or by a loss of liquid or gas level. In this case, oil leaks are clearly visible on the shock absorber body.
You can slightly extend the life of the shock absorber by replenishing the level of working fluid in it. However, such a measure will only have an effect if its body is intact. In addition, you can replace worn out parts of the mechanism.
Checking the condition of the springs
Sagging springs also negatively affects the performance of the suspension. This is caused by their natural wear due to the aging of the metal. To verify this, you do not need to carry out complex diagnostics. You just need to walk around the car and pay attention to its position. If the springs do not perform their function, the vehicle's ground clearance will be significantly reduced. Please note that camber adjustment cannot be performed on a vehicle with sagging springs.
Diagnostics of ball joints
Checking the lower suspension arms will show the condition of the ball joints. It is most advisable to carry it out by lifting the car on a lift, or using a pit. Using a pry bar, you should carefully press the silent blocks located on the lower arms. If they are in good working order, there should not be even the slightest play. And their rubber parts do not have any damage (cracks, abrasions, dented places).
Ideally, check the silent blocks and ball joints on a lift, or by jacking up the front of the car. After this, you need to unscrew the support mount from the lower arm. Next, we rotate its body to assess the condition of the ball. Evidence of its serviceability is the complete absence of play and the free, effortless movement of the body. Due to the elasticity of the rubber parts of the silent blocks, the lower arm should always be in a horizontal position.
Inspection of silent blocks
Determining the presence of production of these elements is quite simple. To do this, you need to swing the opposite rods from side to side. The presence of play in them is a harbinger of component failure. In this case, it is better to replace them immediately, since further operation of the vehicle with damaged silent blocks has an extremely negative impact on the performance of the suspension.
