Today, I started noticing a creaking sound whenever I'm going at a very slow speed (<5mph) while turning the steering wheel either left or right. The creaking sound seems to be more noticeable on the passenger side, right below the dash board. It sounds like I'm inside an old wooden ship. Is this a relatively DIY easy fix? What area should I start to look for the cause of the problem?

thanks

 

If you also hear it when going over the surface of a slight to moderately rough road then it sounds like front end sway bar end links being loose. They don't sound like creaking but do sound kind of like wood knocking. Usually you'll hear multiple knocks per bump. It can be a light knocking if they just started getting loose, or pretty darn loud if they've been loose longer. Creaking could be the sway bar bushings. Best test there is to go over speed bumps because the sway bar will move both sides together within the bushing over speed bumps. It will sound like twisting rubber making a creaking sound, kind of like when you chew gum. I'm sure there could be lots of other things but that's all I have experience with.

 

Well on your description i'm guessing it's the left strut mount bush which is cracked, if you look at it you may see a thin line or piece of rubber such as you see from a mould that looks like it's peeling? It is a sign of a split and the rubber creaks on itself at it rocks on steering input, not from twisting as the bearing itself does that.

 

My strut mount had a 1/4 inch crack 2/3rds of the way around. It didn't creak, but I replaced it. Now, it creaks! And now I don't care because I know the mount is now OK.

 

I took at a look at both strut mounts and they appear fine without any cracking. any other ideas?

 

I would get under the car and check out all your suspension components.

-Luccia

 

It sounds exactly like this except i'm hearing this from inside the cabin. Sounds like a failing strut mount bearing?

 

I had the same problem when a cracked strut mount (that didn't squeak) was replaced
with a new one which squeaked with turning like in the video whenever the ambient
temp was under about 40 F. It seemed to work fine except for this, and when the other
mount cracked I replaced both of them with new Lemforder ones - and no squeak from
either one (put in Koni Yellows at the same time). I think with some brands the rubber
of the mount is in a place where it can rub against the tower or something with turning
and make that annoying but relatively harmless noise.

 

I have the same annoying creaking noise on my '06 whenever I turn my steering wheel. Even sitting still, just like the video. I have replaced both upper strut mounts (with Moog mounts), both lower ball joints and hub bearings. I realize the hub bearings won't make that noise but I figured since I was there, why not. The old strut mounts were NOT cracked, but everyone seemed to think that would be the problem, but it wasn't.
I've also lubed the bearing in the steering column and sprayed lube where the steering shaft goes thru the firewall, but still creaks and squeaks. Any other suggestions would be welcomed.

 

It turns out that the creaking was from a cracked strut mount. I don't know how I missed it the first time I inspected them. The passenger side has completely cracked through while the drivers side looked fine. I have a pair of strut mounts coming from Pelican Parts this monday. I will put them in next weekend and report back.

 

Check the strut mount , then if its no the strut mount and/ if they were replaced check the steering rack lower U joint and pivot bushing they can creak.


Strut mounts:

The 3/2002+ gen 1 Mounts looks like that new. Old ones will also show cracking and splitting of the rubber on there way out.

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