What Causes the Steering Wheel of Hyundai Elantra to Make Abnormal Noises?
3 Answers
Friction between plastic components may cause abnormal noises in the Elantra's steering wheel. The correct steps for steering are as follows: 1. First, adopt a safe hand position on the steering wheel. Place your left hand near the 9 o'clock position and your right hand near the 3 o'clock position. Hold the wheel firmly but not too tightly, with your thumbs resting naturally on the wheel. 2. When turning the wheel, alternate your hands. As the wheel completes one full rotation, your left hand should start the turn, followed immediately by your right hand. 3. When turning left, many people prefer to use their right hand to reach across the wheel, thinking it's easier. However, this is highly dangerous. In an emergency, a hand positioned inside the wheel can get trapped or even injured, along with the arm. 4. When driving at high speeds (above 90 km/h), avoid sudden movements of the steering wheel. Even slight adjustments can cause the car to veer dangerously. Make only minor adjustments and keep both hands relaxed but secure on the wheel.
As someone who often helps neighbors with car repairs, I've encountered quite a few cases of the Hyundai Elantra making strange noises when turning the steering wheel. These noises are mostly caused by issues in the steering system, such as aging bearings or lack of grease in the steering shaft area, resulting in creaking sounds when turning. Another common cause is a faulty power steering pump, where insufficient oil pressure leads to jerky noises. Loose suspension components under the chassis can also transmit unusual sounds. It's advisable to test it yourself first by gently turning the wheel left and right to locate the source of the noise. If the sound is sharp or progressively getting louder, it's best not to attempt a DIY fix—take it to a repair shop immediately to check the drive shaft or replace components. Safety comes first, as ignoring this could lead to loss of control at high speeds. Regular maintenance with added lubricant can help prevent such issues, but wear and tear are inevitable for older cars. Addressing problems promptly can save a lot of trouble.
Last time my Hyundai Elantra had a similar issue - the steering wheel made a rumbling noise when turning, which felt quite alarming. At first I thought the tires were flat, but the tire pressure checked out fine. Later at the repair shop, the technician said it was either worn bushings in the steering column or loose ball joints - that kind of thing gets rusty over time and stops making noise. I spent some money replacing the parts back then, but the noise disappeared immediately. From personal experience, I'm telling you not to underestimate these sounds. If left too long, steering failure isn't worth the risk, especially on slippery rainy roads. For safety, it's better to have the 4S shop disassemble and inspect it - just half a day's work. Since buying the car, I've been regularly lubricating it, and these minor issues have decreased.
