Squeaking noise when turning steering wheel
 

Hi All,

More noticeable at lower speeds but when I turn the steering wheel left or right, I hear a squeaking noise. When turning at speed, the sounds is masked by other noises.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Is the squeak coming from inside or outside the car? If you stop the car, does it still squeak? If you turn the wheel with the engine off, does it still squeak?

I have the same issue... just started a few weeks ago... I started a thread, but never got any responses... must be some way to lube it, but I cant find anywhere do do so.

It's difficult to say where the noise is coming from, Io can hear it from the inside with all the windows up. When I put the windows down I can still hear it. The sound is more noticeable when I'm at a stop. The sound is still present when the car is off.

Have somebody stand outside the car while you turn the wheel. See if they can pinpoint the sound. Flex the suspension (by pushing down on the car) and see if it squeaks when you bounce it up or down.

I'm betting that you have a bad tie rod end or ball joint. If the wheel squeaks only when you turn it, then it's a tie rod end. If it squeaks when you flex the suspension, then it's a ball joint.

Thanks for the input - I'll implement them and provide feedback.

Interesting; I have a similar issue with my '09 Sport. It's easier to hear inside a garage; I'd categorize it more like a rubbing sound. almost sounds like something isn't lubed. I'll try the ideas above.

Thanks.

Must be the tie rod end. No noise when flexing the suspension. Only can hear the noise when turning the steering wheel. The noise is definitely originating from that area. I'll look further into it this weekend.

I've had this issue for a while. Except I don't believe mine is mechanical. I'm pretty sure mine is coming from the wheel rubbing the steering column.

^ yea... what he said...

has anyone figured this problem out? I just started getting this soft squeak when i turn the wheel at a stop or slow speeds

I've got this same problem, sounds like a little animal is trapped inside my steering wheel when I turn. Anyone found out how to fix the noise?

If the squeak is inside the cabin, it's most likely the air bag clockspring in the steering column.

Is there a way to fix this or does it need to be replaced?

My recommendation is to replace the clockspring.
Clockspring is about $130 I think.

DISCLAIMER: Do the following at your peril. You'll be dealing with the air bag, an 'explosive'.

This is what I did on my Mazdaspeed6:
* Disconnect battery
* Wait a few minutes (I didn't know if air bag had capacitor reserve power, so I waited 10 mins).
* Remove steering wheel cover (cover may be part of the airbag module - don't remember)
* Disconnect air bag connector
* Remove air bag module
* Dribble one or two drops of all-purpose oil in the crevice between the outer housing and the inner core of the clockspring
* Turn the steering wheel to test and add a few drops more until the squeaking stops (the idea is to use the least amount of oil as possible).

NOTE: I made the assumption that the clockspring wiring is a plastic sealed flat cable because I've seen the innards of other clocksprings, hence the oil application. If the wires were exposed, I would have replaced the clockspring.

DISCLAIMER: Do the above procedure at your peril. You'll be dealing with the air bag, an 'explosive'.

Is this the cause mine is more outside, replace or lube?

Oh...also mine is coming from the rear of the car..sorry to revive an old thread.

This is a fine example of why searching does nothing. I find a thread via google and no answers :o

X7, it may be a multitude of issues, I would grab a can of spray lube and spray each bushing on the rear suspension, 1 at a time , not all of them at once, this may give you an idea of what is squeaking, also, check the torque of the fasteners that secure all of the suspension components.

Thank you, just needed an idea of where to go.