What Causes Vehicle Steering Noise and How to Deal with It?
2 Answers
What Causes Vehicle Steering Noise and How to Deal with It is as follows: 1. The stabilizer bar bushing is loose or damaged. A loose or damaged stabilizer bar bushing will not only cause noise when turning the steering wheel but also produce sounds when driving on uneven roads. A loose stabilizer bar bushing can be fixed by adding shims, while a damaged one must be replaced. 2. If the noise comes from the steering wheel, the issue is most likely caused by the clock spring inside the steering wheel. Remove the steering wheel clock spring and apply some grease to see if the noise persists. If it does, replace the clock spring. 3. If the tie rod end ball joint is worn out, it can cause the steering wheel to shake and produce noise. In this case, the tie rod end ball joint should be replaced, and a four-wheel alignment should be performed after replacement.
Steering noise is quite common, and I've encountered it many times over more than a decade of driving. The usual causes are insufficient power steering fluid or air bubbles, which create a humming sound when the pump operates; worn ball joints in the tie rods produce a squeaking noise; and damaged strut mounts result in a clunking sound. For handling, first, simply check the power steering fluid level—top it up if it's low, or replace the entire fluid if it's dirty. If the noise persists, visit a professional repair shop immediately—they can test for loose ball joints or steering gear issues. Safety first: never force a long-distance drive when the noise is obvious, as it may lead to more severe failures. Regular maintenance and inspections of the steering system, along with fluid changes and component lubrication, can prevent such troubles.
