What Causes the Squeaking Sound When Turning the Steering Wheel While Stationary?
3 Answers
The squeaking sound when turning the steering wheel while stationary is caused by friction between the steering wheel and the spring steel plate of the horn wire transmission. The functions of the steering wheel are: 1. To control the direction of the car by maneuvering the steering wheels, allowing the car to move straight or turn; 2. To help diagnose car faults. Precautions for using the steering wheel: 1. Reduce the steering angle when driving at high speeds; 2. Straighten the steering wheel when the middle of the vehicle passes the centerline; 3. Return the steering wheel to the center position when the front of the car aligns with the lane centerline. Steering wheels are categorized into: single-spoke, double-spoke, three-spoke, and four-spoke steering wheels.
Every time I hear squeaking sounds while maneuvering in tight parking spaces, it gives me a headache. This is probably the steering system protesting! When the power steering fluid is low or there's a leak in the hydraulic lines, turning the wheel can cause dry grinding noises. If the sound resembles an old wooden door hinge creaking, it's likely due to insufficient grease in the steering tie-rod ball joints—those areas are prone to drying out after years of exposure to wind and rain. More alarming is the metallic grinding noise from internal gear wear in the steering box, which sounds like sandpaper scraping metal. Once, I even traced the noise to a worn-out universal joint—it was completely rusted when I opened it up. The worst scenario is when the suspension system acts up; cracked stabilizer bar bushings can also cause loud squeaks during turns. Don't tough it out—get it checked early. Replacing a small part is much cheaper than repairing major components later!
Last time during maintenance, I chatted with the mechanic about this issue. He said that 90% of steering noises are minor problems. The simplest is plastic part friction, like the dust cover under the steering wheel rubbing against the dashboard—just add some grease. If the power steering pump belt is loose and slips, it makes a squealing sound; you can just tighten the tensioner pulley yourself. If the steering gear is leaking oil, turning the wheel will produce a creaking sound like stepping on snow, and you need to top up the power steering fluid immediately. A more hidden issue is the aging of the shock absorber top mount, which causes a dull thud with every turn. With experience, I now identify the problem by sound: high-pitched and sharp means the belt, dull and continuous points to the ball joint, and a clicking sound with vibration definitely indicates a loose tie rod. Before DIY fixes, remember to clean the dust off the steering column—sometimes it's just a small pebble stuck in there.
