In this article, we are going to discuss what to do if your car makes noise when turning.
It's a common conversation point among regular drivers, but few know what to do next. If this is your experience, it's best to remain calm, assess the situation as soon as possible, and trust the experts at Hansma Automotive to diagnose and take care of the issue.
Now let’s dig in and take a look at what to do when your car makes noise when turning, and what might be causing the issue.
Read on to learn what to do if your car makes noise when turning.
My Car Makes Noise When Turning
What's at the root of these noises, and what can you do when they pop up? It could be a sign that you need to schedule some regular maintenance, or it could be a more serious issue.
What To Do
Noise that can be heard when turning your steering wheel could be nothing more than an indication that your suspension system needs lubrication, but it may be a sign of something more serious.
A professional mechanic should inspect your vehicle, determine the underlying cause, and then repair your car as needed.
The mechanic will inspect your steering and suspension system, including the power steering rack, pump and belt, tie rods, and ball joints. It may even be necessary for the mechanic to take the car for a little spin to hear the noise and pinpoint the origin of the sound.
At that point, the mechanic will provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope of work and cost of the necessary repairs.
Book an appointment with a trusted mechanic if your car makes noise when turning.
Car Makes Noise When Turning - Should I Tackle The Problem Myself?
Due to the potentially serious nature of the issues, it's best to leave this job to the professionals.
There are, however, some things you can do if your car makes noise when turning to make it easier for the mechanic to diagnose the issue.
1. Whiny Noise
Step 1: Get help from a friend. Ask your friend to watch your wheels from outside of your car as you turn them and tell you when they have fully turned.
Step 2: Start your vehicle. When you do this, make sure it is in park.
Step 3: Turn the wheel and listen. Turn the wheel in both directions, noting when you hear the whining noise.
2. Clicking / Clunking
Step 1: Park in a safe place. Make sure you are in a parked position away from traffic and with the engine off.
Step 2: Turn the steering wheel and listen. Wiggle the wheel back and forth, taking note of how much you can move it without feeling resistance from the wheels turning. Also, listen for the clicking or clunking to occur as you wiggle, so you can tell a mechanic.
3. Crunching / Popping
Step 1: Locate a roomy place. Find a wide empty space or parking lot with little to no traffic.
Step 2: Drive in a tight circle. Turn the wheel sharply to one side and hold it in position as you gently accelerate. Then, do this in the opposite direction, noticing when you hear a crunching or popping noise and if it is worse at one time than in another.
Step 3: Make wider circles. Do this in each direction and listen carefully so you can tell a mechanic what you heard. Hearing the noise with wider turns indicates a more severe problem than with just sharps turns.
Giving as much information to your mechanic as possible will help to diagnose and rectify the problem. DIY fixes may seem convenient, but could lead to further damage.
Watch this video for some tips on how to proceed when your car makes noise when turning.
6 Reasons Why Your Car Makes Noise When Turning
There's at least six reasons why your car is making noise when taking those corners:
1. Worn Shocks/Struts
Your shocks and struts are good at what they do, but they do wear out. If you’ve noticed fluid on the side of one of your shocks, chances are it’s blown and needs to be replaced.
You may also notice that your car feels very loose and bouncy when going over bumps or through turns.
2. Dry Jounce Bushing
The jounce bushing is located at the top of the front strut. If it’s dry, it can cause a groaning/creaking sound during turns. If not repaired, this problem can become serious.
3. Dry/Damaged Suspension Bushings
Bushings wear out over time and eventually must be replaced. Usually, they are located on the arms which connect the axle carrier assembly and the vehicle's frame. It’s possible that this is causing the creaking while turning the steering wheel.
A good look under your car is needed if it’s making noise when turning.
4. Worn Ball Joints
Ball joints allow control arms (connect the car's suspension to the frame) and steering knuckles (connection point between the tie rod and wheel) to adjust to movement and must be well lubricated in order to do their job.
The grease can wear out over time and when this happens, expect to experience noise and deterioration.
5. Damaged Tie Rod Ends
Tie rods connect your steering system to help move the wheels when you turn your steering wheel. Creaking while turning can be a sign of damaged tie rods, but it’s more common to hear a knocking sound when making tight, low-speed turns.
6. Damaged Power Steering Pump/Rack/Belt
Problems with the power steering rack, pump, or belt usually cause a whining sound, more noticeable during low speed turns.
One of the most common problems with power steering systems is leaks. A low fluid level can cause a whining noise, and a disabled power steering system can become a dangerous situation.
If you find a leak in the power steering line, the best way to stop it is by simply replacing the hose.
Car Makes Noise When Turning? Trust Hansma Automotive
If you're hearing noises when you turn the wheel, it might be time to seek help from a trusted, experienced and professional mechanic
If you live in the Kitchener-Waterloo area and would like to have us take a look at your vehicle, you can head on over to our Book an Appointment page.
"Great service is providing the service that you need. If you have an older vehicle you can not only count on Pete and his mechanics to help you get the most out of it but to also inform you as to when it's no longer worth repairing. Where other mechanics might be tempted to keep on recommending (expensive) repairs Pete listens to your particular situation and performs a cost/benefit analysis with every repair. Recently, Pete told me that it was no longer worth fixing up my 20 year old vehicle. I now have a newer vehicle which means that I'll be seeing less of of him and his team. Pete's honesty and integrity are representative of the highest professional standards and I am happy to recommend Hansma Automotive." - Greg
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Trust the professionals at Hansma - a full automotive service - to find and fix the problem.
Sources:
https://getjerry.com/advice/how-to-react-if-your-car-makes-noise-when-turning-by-elan-mcafee
https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/creaking-noise-when-turning-the-steering-wheel-inspection