We've been having some funny noises from the steering on our '06 MCS. At first we thought it might be one of the myriad pump problems but I'm not so sure. I planned to remove, inspect, and clean the pump on a recent DIY repair but couldn't get the thing out, so I shelved that idea. Again, I'm not sure it's pump related.

The noise is noticable at low speed. As we take a corner, like at a cross street, we turn and all is good until we start to straighten out the wheel. Then there is a growling noise from what sounds like just under the dash about where the windshield is. To me, and my wife agrees, it sounds like a frog croaking. It's not a full-on grinding metal sound. My wife first described it as a fart.

I think it is something to do with the steering linkages, if that is the correct term, like a u-joint or something starting to go. I hope someone has some ideas.

Thanks.

 

Now this is interesting, because I think I may have the same "issue" going on. I have an '04 MCS.

Funnily I only ever hear it in the morning when I am leaving for work and make my way out to the main road, which involves many turns and speed bumps (I live in a townhouse community). It's a kinda rubbery croaking sound when I straighten out the steering wheel.

I am due for a check up, new tires, alignment... and was planning on asking my mechanic. I already see the look on his face when I walk in there and tell him my car farts...

 

I'd appreciate any information you find. Our situation is exactly the same. Seems to be worst early in a drive, though it does happen at slow speeds later as well.

I'm thinking it's a joint or bushing somewhere in the steering column but I've also wondered if it's a bushing or something in the suspension itself, shifting a little in turns and the sound transmitting through the body somehow.

 

Steering rack possibly?

 

It could be anything because I'm far from an expert. I'm merely guessing, to be honest.

 

I think I had this problem and it was the steering column cv type joint under the dash. Per the repair under warranty it was a "replacement of the upper and lower steering column units".
I'm not sure if there was a simpler repair but it did fix the problem.

 

Thanks. I've been looking at the removal and installation of the upper and lower columns and it doesn't look that terrible. I may take a go at it just enough to see if I can further track the noise or anything loose.

 

It could be the actual steering rack

 

Well, I hope you find out what it is. I just got back from my mechanic and he said there's nothing wrong.

"Just turn up the radio!" - that's what he said.

Got new tires, a wheel alignment and he had to replace a tie rod. So we shall see how things go. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

Do you still have the noise?

 

It didn't go away completely, but it's better than before and I hope it stays that way.

 

I now have this noise, too. I hope it's nothing...hopefully the noise is the same as this one...

 

This steering noise for me was solved by putting weather stripping all the way up between the dash and the windshield from one side to the other ($10 at autozone). Got rid of a lot of rattles and sounds more solid, and I don't hear the frog anymore

 

Did this weatherstrip trick solve problems for anyone else? I have the same noises now too.
Thanks!