Creaking Noise in steering wheel...?

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Nov 12, 2011 | 03:24 PM
  #1  
I have a intermittent creaking noise coming from the steering wheel, when i turn right, from a standstill or low speeds. It sounds like when u open an old door. This normally happens when the car is cold and it sounds like it comes from behind the steering wheel. Im not sure what this is. Could it be a strut mount..?
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Nov 12, 2011 | 04:55 PM
  #2  
Sounds like it could be your steering rack.Unfortunately very pricey fix.
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Nov 12, 2011 | 05:19 PM
  #3  
We typically make more right turns than lefts during the life of a car. So naturally some parts will wear out more in that direction so to speak.

Could be a few things, even the lower steering U-Joint. There is a repair kit. #32306763722 - $140.00.

The best way to tell would be to have someone listen from that area while parked while you turn the wheel to pinpoint a location. If up on rack and checking may not have the same pressure on the parts producing the same sound.


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Nov 13, 2011 | 07:44 AM
  #4  
Get it looked at...the steering wheel u joint i think would be suspect if you think it seems to be in the car..
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Nov 13, 2011 | 11:15 AM
  #5  
Quote: Sounds like it could be your steering rack.Unfortunately very pricey fix.
I just replaced the steering rack about three weeks ago
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Nov 13, 2011 | 11:18 AM
  #6  
Quote: We typically make more right turns than lefts during the life of a car. So naturally some parts will wear out more in that direction so to speak.

Could be a few things, even the lower steering U-Joint. There is a repair kit. #32306763722 - $140.00.

The best way to tell would be to have someone listen from that area while parked while you turn the wheel to pinpoint a location. If up on rack and checking may not have the same pressure on the parts producing the same sound.


So how hard would it be to fix this?
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Nov 13, 2011 | 12:24 PM
  #7  
I also looked around and apparently weather stripping around the windshield got rid of the froggy noise.... IDK
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Nov 13, 2011 | 12:33 PM
  #8  
Have your air bag clock spring checked.
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Nov 13, 2011 | 06:09 PM
  #9  
Quote: Have your air bag clock spring checked.
Hmmm wtf is that?? Lol
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Nov 15, 2011 | 09:23 PM
  #10  
Quote: Hmmm wtf is that?? Lol
Its basicly the electronic wire that powers the air bag module. It is a coiled wire that winds back and forth in the column when you turn the steering wheel. Sometimes they can bind slightly and cause the senario your are discribing.
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Nov 21, 2011 | 07:25 PM
  #11  
My steering wheel did that 2 years ago. Shot a bit of WD 40 between the steering wheel and column. It stopped the squeak.
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Nov 29, 2011 | 02:16 PM
  #12  
Mine did it too I stumbled across the solution on NAM. It turned out to be a dry joint in the steering column, and the fix was cheap.

Flip the steering wheel "height" adjustment lever. Now move the wheel up and down a few times, this distributes the grease in the joint...do this every day until the issue disappears. Mine was gone after a few days, and has never returned (I do this fix about once a month to keep it all nicely lubricated).
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Nov 29, 2011 | 02:46 PM
  #13  
Yea today I sprayed some lubricant on the joint and turned the wheel back and forth and it seems to have gone down
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Nov 30, 2011 | 11:34 AM
  #14  
Ok so I sprayed some underneath the car, right where the steering column comes thru the firewall.. Is that the spot or is it literally behind the steering wheel?
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Nov 30, 2011 | 08:05 PM
  #15  
Mine has done it twice. The last time cured it. I only did the steering wheel. Hope this helps
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Dec 1, 2011 | 11:29 AM
  #16  
Quote: Mine has done it twice. The last time cured it. I only did the steering wheel. Hope this helps
So u sprayed behind the steerin wheel?
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Dec 1, 2011 | 02:28 PM
  #17  
Yep I had this scratchy sound behind the steering wheel. I sat in the driver seat and shot some WD 40 in there. I took several days for it to completely go away. But they sound has not been back in over 2 years. Don't over do it. Less is more.
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Dec 4, 2011 | 08:51 PM
  #18  
I have a broken strut mount, right hand side, makes the creaking noise you describe. Take a flashlight, shine it onto the strut mount hole...mine is cracked all the way around and sticking up .25 to .5 inches, very easy to spot. I have new ones ordered (driver side has cracks starting)
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Dec 5, 2011 | 02:25 PM
  #19  
Quote: I have a broken strut mount, right hand side, makes the creaking noise you describe. Take a flashlight, shine it onto the strut mount hole...mine is cracked all the way around and sticking up .25 to .5 inches, very easy to spot. I have new ones ordered (driver side has cracks starting)
I looked and I never saw any cracks...
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Dec 5, 2011 | 02:38 PM
  #20  
Quote: Yep I had this scratchy sound behind the steering wheel. I sat in the driver seat and shot some WD 40 in there. I took several days for it to completely go away. But they sound has not been back in over 2 years. Don't over do it. Less is more.
I tried and a week later it's still creaking...
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Dec 6, 2011 | 07:59 AM
  #21  
Quote: I tried and a week later it's still creaking...
Still sounds like the steering rack.You mentioned earlier that you had replaced it.Could it be a defective one.Take it to a reputable mechanic and have it checked out if you can't diagnose it yourself.Sometimes your better off letting a professional diagnose it then just guessing .Just my .02
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Dec 6, 2011 | 10:28 AM
  #22  
Quote: Still sounds like the steering rack.You mentioned earlier that you had replaced it.Could it be a defective one.Take it to a reputable mechanic and have it checked out if you can't diagnose it yourself.Sometimes your better off letting a professional diagnose it then just guessing .Just my .02
Well it was creaking even with the old one before I replaced the rack...
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Dec 18, 2011 | 09:32 AM
  #23  
UPDATE: Popped hood and had friend turn steering wheel. Sound IS coming from the strut area, right where the brace is... So would this be a worn strut mount, or just loose?
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