The steering wheel crunches when turning. Crunching sound when turning the steering wheel while stationary or in motion

The steering system is of key importance to any vehicle and its failure can lead to loss of control over the vehicle and life-threatening situations on the roads. In addition, a malfunction of this system can cause failure of other automotive equipment.

The main sign that something is wrong with the control system is a crunching sound when turning the steering wheel in place or while moving. A crunching steering wheel can be a sign of a number of malfunctions, therefore, when such symptoms appear, it is necessary to carry out urgent diagnostics of the car and repair the breakdown.

Whether to carry out diagnostics and troubleshooting yourself or use the services of qualified mechanics from a car service center is a purely individual question. It is worth noting that car services have a number of advantages, the main one of which is the availability of specialized equipment. A good car service center will be able to carry out high-quality diagnostics of the car in a short time and identify the exact cause of the steering wheel crunch.

Many people mistakenly believe that this type of malfunction can be associated solely with the steering rack. But this is fundamentally not true. Among the most common causes of steering wheel crunching, which are typical for modern cars, there are 3 categories.

The steering mechanism itself may produce similar sounds, but this probability is quite small. Most often, a crunching sound when turning is produced by a faulty one, which is also called a grenade. The occurrence of such a sound when driving is almost always associated with a malfunction of this element. Experts associate the occurrence of a crunching sound when turning the steering wheel while driving with a CV joint failure in 90% of cases.

This mechanism is directly attached to the steering wheel and, if malfunctioning, can produce a crunching sound when the steering wheel is turned at maximum speed while running smoothly. This sound may become louder over time as the mechanism fails.

This problem can only be solved by replacing the CV joint with a new one at a service center. The operation to replace such a mechanism requires high qualifications and specialized equipment, so it is not recommended to do it yourself.

Among the consequences of untimely replacement of a broken grenade are:

Complete failure of the mechanism and loss of steering functions;
Wheel slipping or braking while turning;
Increased crunch level;
Jumping of the car at the maximum angle of rotation and inadequate response to steering;
Engine thrust failure;
Changes in engine load.

Untimely repairs and ignoring the problem of a broken CV joint can lead to serious consequences and more expensive repairs in the future.

There is a crunching sound when turning the steering wheel: diagnostics of the control system

If certain problems arise in the steering of your car, you should correct them immediately, otherwise delay may lead to the fact that the most important system of your car will malfunction and stop functioning normally. If it fails abruptly and directly while driving, then serious troubles in the form of loss of control and other not very successful consequences cannot be ruled out. A crunching sound when turning the steering wheel can mean several problems, each of which should be given special attention when diagnosing. Correcting it yourself or contacting a specialized service is up to you to decide. The car will definitely need good diagnostics, so the service in this case has many advantages.

A good service station will help you do a really good examination of each chassis and steering component in order to get reliable answers to the question of what caused the crunching noise. Turning the steering wheel affects more than just the steering rack. In this process, steering tips are included in the work, as well as rods that pull the elements of the chassis. Therefore, a knock or crunch in the steering wheel does not always mean problems with the steering mechanism. This may cause troubles associated with the chassis. Today we will look at the three most common problems that cause a crunching sound when turning the steering wheel.

Obvious creaking when turning the steering wheel - checking for possible problems

Any extraneous sounds in the main mechanisms of the car should alert the owner and become a reason to contact specialists. But many drivers prefer to find problems on their own. This is a sensible decision, because service stations do not always approach diagnostics objectively, but you should check the problems of your car only if you have a minimal understanding of the design of the vehicle. If your car has a squeaking sound when you turn the steering wheel, this may mean that some steering or suspension components have failed.

You can check all the problems yourself or with one assistant, but it is better to diagnose the breakdown at a professional service station. The diagnostic rules in this case do not establish the order of testing and other subtleties, but the correct execution of each individual test is extremely important for a good result.

Checking the steering rack and column - the most common causes of squeaking

The most popular causes of squeaking when turning the steering wheel are breakdowns in the steering rack system, as well as the steering column. Let's look at these nodes one by one. The steering column is a fairly simple mechanism that breaks down extremely rarely, but when it does break down it often requires a complex and expensive replacement. Therefore, if it breaks down, you cannot do without professional service.

If the steering column is the culprit of the problem, the squeak will be superficial, it can be felt directly on the steering wheel and often gives off vibrations. Often in this case the problem is quite easy to determine. The cause of the breakdown may be a sharp impact on the steering wheel, for example, during braking or a minor accident. The column may simply become bent. With the steering rack everything is much more complicated; there can be many problems:

the inside of the rack is worn out, the creaking is present due to poor contact of the mechanism with the body;
the anthers on the rack have torn and dirt has gotten inside - this can be easily checked by feeling the rubber anthers on the rack body with your hand;
the rack mechanism weakened and began to creak when passing through the body;
creaking can also be caused by steering tips, which rub against the rods when turning;
The rack was damaged, its body was slightly bent and began to make squeaks when turning the steering wheel.

These are just assumptions and not the exact causes of the problems. In most cases, if the steering rack is severely worn or bent, there is no point in repairing it. The mechanism is changed as a whole, which can cost a considerable amount of money. However, this unit is responsible for high-quality control and safety during the trip, therefore its quality is the main goal of repair.

There is no point in delaying the repair of the steering rack or column. These control system components are important because they constantly take part in driving the car. It is enough to trigger a problem to allow incredible play in the steering wheel or too much force to turn. This is an unacceptable discomfort that affects driver safety and confidence.

Other causes of squeaking steering

When diagnosing, you should not stop only at the steering rack and column. It is also necessary to check the tips and rods, especially the places where they are attached. Often the steering rods are slightly unscrewed, causing play to form at the place where they are attached, which leads to constant squeaks and a real danger of losing control of the car right on the road.

It is necessary to diagnose such problems as quickly as possible, otherwise the consequences will be unpleasant. Always remember that the cost of repairs if a problem is quickly detected in the bud turns out to be ridiculous, but restoration or a comprehensive replacement of entire car components will be very expensive. When creaking, you need to check the following nodes:

the tips of the steering rack, which take all the effort when turning the steering wheel;
steering rods connecting the rack to the wheel drives and performing direct rotation;
car suspension elements that are responsible for turning the wheels and their normal rotation during turns;
brake system - it can also be the culprit of the squeak if the sound appears only when moving;
the steering wheel itself - a squeak may appear when rubbing against the plastic or in the signal mechanism.

Drivers often talk about a situation where the steering wheel “shuffles” or creaks when turning, but the sounds come directly from part of the cabin, and not from the steering mechanisms. In this case, the steering wheel or signal system becomes the culprit for the unpleasant sounds.

This problem can be fixed quite simply, but in some cases, even disassembling the steering wheel and installing it after fixing the problem will require the services of specialists. When removing the steering wheel, be careful. Be sure to hold it and not allow the force of unscrewing or tightening the retaining nut to affect the steering rack. There have often been situations where, during self-repairs, car owners have torn the rack mechanism while trying to unscrew the steering wheel fastening nut.

We never tire of urging you not to film or test your steering wheel squeak a thousand times, because a good squeak will always show itself on the outside.

Let's sum it up

High-quality troubleshooting is provided by professional and official service stations. This is the easiest and fastest way to get the desired effect without personal intervention in the repair process. But service at such a station is often quite expensive, so car owners often try to independently diagnose the steering systems in order to know everything about the problem before sending the car to the service station.

It is better to replace the steering rack, column, tips and rods at a station where specialists with sufficient experience will do all the work efficiently and quickly. Otherwise, you will have to spend a lot of time and ensure questionable safety of movement. Have you ever repaired your car's steering mechanisms yourself?

CV joint is one of the likely culprits of steering wheel crunching

The steering mechanism does not often make sounds similar to a crunch, but for a CV joint this is the main indicator of a possible problem. Therefore, it is worth checking this particular breakdown first. If it crunches when turning while in motion, then in 90% of cases the culprit will be the CV joint, also called a grenade. This mechanism has a direct connection to the steering mechanism. When the steering wheel is turned to the maximum possible angle and a uniform, slow movement occurs when a grenade is broken, a crunching sound occurs, which intensifies over time. This problem can only be dealt with by replacement, which is quite difficult. The consequences of untimely repairs may be the following:

gradual complete failure of the grenade and failure of this unit to perform its functions;
When turning, the wheel begins to slip or slow down, depending on the nature of the breakdown;
the crunch increases and no longer seems so harmless for the driver and passengers of the car;
along with the crunching sound, a slight bouncing of the car appears when turning to the maximum degree;
the thrust from the engine has every chance of simply flying out of the mount with the wheel, which will make further movement impossible;
If a grenade suddenly falls out of its place, a load drop on the engine is possible.

You should not bring a breakdown to such a stage and check what can actually happen to the power unit. It is much better to simply eliminate the cause of the crunching and forget that such a problem was present. Few motorists have ever experienced what an overly neglected CV joint problem means, and reviews of this experience are not the most flattering. If, while turning, your car experiences a crunching sound in the steering area or on the wheels, you should simply replace the grenade with a new one. This is done at any service that services your brand of car.

Possible causes and methods of eliminating knocking

The ball joint fails.
It needs to be replaced, as it may rupture and the car will have to be dragged by a tow truck (the wheel will be turned unnaturally inward or outward and it will be impossible to drive).
The grenade malfunctions
. Moreover, when turning left, the right grenade is loaded and vice versa. Accordingly, if you hear a knock when turning the steering wheel to the left, change the right grenade.
Worn stabilizer bushings may knock or creak
. The problem can be easily solved: you need to spray the bushings with silicone grease. The rubber will become more elastic and the squeaking or knocking noise will go away.
A knocking noise may occur if the steering rack is faulty or weakened
. This may cause vibration in the steering wheel. It is necessary to tighten the rack fastenings or have the rack diagnosed at a service station and repair or replace spare parts.
The engine crankcase protection bolts may become loose
. Although this does not happen often, an undetected problem can bring a lot of unpleasant moments. The solution is to simply tighten the bolts. If the bolt thread is stripped, replace the bolt. You may have to update the thread with a tap.
If the knocking noise appears after replacing the wheel, then the possible cause of the knocking noise will be insufficiently tightened wheel bolts.
Over time, vibration is added to the knocking. The problem is solved in a minute - by tightening the bolts to the required force.
A cracked or broken spring may be making a knocking noise.
Unfortunately, the quality of spare parts has presented motorists with such a problem in recent years. The solution is to replace the cracked spring.
Worn or leaking shock absorbers
may “kick” when turning the steering wheel to the right or left, that is, they cannot hold the load and sag under the weight of the car with a knock. The solution is diagnostics and replacement of the shock absorber. You can diagnose it yourself. To do this, you need to sharply press with both hands on the wing in the area of the shock absorber and also sharply release. Observe not only when the knocking appears, but also how much oscillation the car makes after pressing on one side or the other.

Often, motorists operating domestically produced cars are faced with a rather unpleasant problem, characterized by the occurrence of a knock at the bottom of the front part of the vehicle when the steering wheel is turned. The first solution that comes to a car enthusiast’s mind is to contact a specialized car service center. However, it has several significant disadvantages. For example, there is no guarantee of a positive result or significant financial costs. That’s why we recommend trying to figure out the problem yourself.

The steering rack has a peculiar crunch and appears infrequently

Some BMW models in the late 90s had a certain technical subtlety - their steering racks sometimes crunched. It’s not even a breakdown, it’s just that the rack had such a design feature. However, the Bavarians never had a good relationship with slats. But this node is not the only one that causes certain problems. Problems with the steering rack occur in almost all cars; this unit lasts no more than 250-300 thousand kilometers. With such a resource, almost every car has to deal with rack problems. Moreover, in some cases the mechanism can fail much faster. The main signs of a broken steering rack are:

The crunch may occur during the entire stroke of the steering wheel or at certain intervals during rotation;
knocks are heard not just under the hood of the car, but directly in the steering wheel, vibration is felt in the hands;
with the engine turned off, when checking the free play of the steering wheel, a knock is heard in the extreme positions;
the characteristics of the steering change, stiffness appears or, conversely, excessive ease in turning the steering wheel;
There are problems in driving; the car does not always react to turning the steering wheel as expected.

If such problems exist in your car, you should work on the steering rack. Unfortunately, the design of the steering mechanism on modern cars is such that in most cases the rack will have to be replaced. This is an important point that should be applied almost always. Steering rack repair is short-lived, so it may not be economically viable and not very pleasant for further use. It is best to change the rack, and it may not be possible to do it yourself in a garage, especially on cars with power steering and other additions to the controls.

Weak points of the suspension

In wet weather it is not always possible to see a defect in the shock absorber strut

If you carry out independent repairs, for example, replacing a ball joint, then you must carefully tighten the fastening bolts. There are no through holes in the steering knuckle to which the support is attached: the bolt is screwed into the knuckle itself. Excessive tightening force may cause the bolt to break. A knock in the front suspension may also occur for this reason.

Chassis, bearings and other rare crunching options

When you check all the possible causes of the crunching noise when turning, you can safely say that the problem lies only in the chassis. Of course, finding chassis problems is quite difficult; for this, it is also better to use professional diagnostics. Crunching is the prerogative of bearings, but the only type of this element in the chassis that can crunch is the wheel bearing. However, they often buzz when they fail at a certain speed rather than crunch. If you want to diagnose wheel bearings, you can do it as follows:

lift one side of the front of the car on a jack and secure the car well with stands;
put the car on the handbrake, and also make sure that the three wheels are firmly on the base;
sit behind the wheel or have your assistant sit down so that he performs certain actions to spin the wheel;
after this you need to start the car, turn on second speed and smoothly release the clutch pedal, giving a little gas;
Please note that such actions cannot be carried out on vehicles with all-wheel drive and a locked center differential;
after this, you need to turn off the engine and allow the wheel to spin at a fairly high speed;
if the bearing on this wheel is faulty, it will definitely tell you about it with an abundant hum;
If the bearing is in good condition, only the sound of friction of the metal parts of the suspension will be heard.

This is a fairly simple way to diagnose wheel bearings and will not require too much time. To implement such a test, it is not necessary to have an assistant; you can carry out all the tests yourself. To do this, you need to quickly get out of the car while the wheel is spinning. The best noise from broken bearings is heard near the wheel. However, sometimes wheel bearings make a noise throughout the garage, then it’s better to replace them before it’s too late. Completely disintegrated wheel bearings will cause serious problems throughout the entire chassis. Therefore, it is worth paying special attention to correcting problems if any. We invite you to watch a short video describing the cause and elimination of the problem with knocking and crunching when turning the steering wheel:

Causes of knocking noise when turning the steering wheel

So, let’s diagnose the knocking noise that occurs when turning the steering wheel. To do this, we perform several preliminary manipulations:

Wash the front suspension elements with a stream of water.
Place the vehicle on a pit or lift it on a lift.
Clean the joints (twists) with a stiff brush.
Conduct a visual inspection of the front suspension elements.

The following items must be included in the visual inspection list:

checking the mounting of the anti-roll bar;
monitoring the condition of the support cushions of the struts;
control of fastening of suspension elements;
checking the condition of silent blocks of the lever, fastening of rods, braces, etc.;
monitoring the state of the compression stroke buffer (for destruction), which can generate a knock;
checking the degree of wear of the suspension arm hinge and lower arm joints.

The next step in determining the source that generates the knocking noise heard when turning the steering wheel is to monitor the condition of the springs. As a result of “settling,” deformation, or breakage of the spiral turns, a clearly audible dull knock appears.

Another reason for knocking in the area of the front suspension of a vehicle may be deformation or insufficient fastening of the plastic protection of the wheel arch of the car.

When the steering wheel is turned, loose fragments of the protection engage with the CV joint boot and produce sounds similar to knocking. Despite its insignificance, this defect requires fairly prompt elimination, since only in this case there is confidence that it will not cause other, more serious defects. For example, attaching the arch protection directly to the “skirt” of the bumper makes it possible for it (the bumper) to be damaged when the protection is deformed.

The presence of a characteristic, “gurgling” knock when turning the steering wheel indicates that the permissible degree of wear on the tie rod ends has been exceeded.

Failure to take timely measures to replace worn steering tips threatens a chain reaction of loss of performance of the steering mechanism elements, the consequence of which, in the worst case, will be an accident, at best, significant financial costs.

Attention! After replacing the tie rod ends, wheel alignment must be adjusted.
Another fairly common cause of a knocking sound that occurs when turning the steering wheel is increased wear of the support bearing (upper) shock absorber strut. A special predisposition to this disease is observed in Prior and Kalin. The solution to the problem is to replace the bearing. The positive aspect of this shortcoming is the relatively small material and time costs of eliminating it.
The combination of knocking and humming noise, which simultaneously occurs when turning the steering wheel to the right (left), signals the loss of functionality of the hub bearing of one of the front wheels of the vehicle. It should be noted that failure of both bearings at the same time is by no means a rare occurrence. This is truly serious. The difficulty of repair work lies in the need to “press out” the worn bearing from its seat in the hub.
This diagnosis presupposes not only long-term, but also quite expensive “treatment”, and untimely measures usually end in the complete destruction of the front suspension elements of the vehicle.

Let's sum it up

If you think that a crunching sound when turning the steering wheel is not such a serious problem, find out the opinions of those drivers who have encountered its consequences due to poor-quality repairs or no restoration at all. After a detailed study of the problem, it turns out that you are not getting the best operating conditions for the car, and if you wait and do not repair the car, you are even exposing yourself to a certain danger. It is best to immediately find the cause of the crunching and completely correct it.

conclusions

Any vehicle is a complex system consisting of thousands of different components. Therefore, various kinds of noise can appear both due to serious problems in the mechanisms, and due to the weakening of any simple element in the interior.

However, the car owner must carefully monitor the appearance of various kinds of sound effects both while the car is moving and when turning the steering wheel while parked. After all, only timely diagnosis of a problem can be considered the key to successful repair and safe driving.

It should be borne in mind that any difficulties that arise with turning the steering wheel must be resolved immediately, since the problem may result in the failure of one of the elements of the control system and an accident. You should not ignore the appearance of sounds uncharacteristic of vehicle operation, since the safety and even lives of people depend on it.

Do you experience an unpleasant crunching noise when you turn the steering wheel to one side as much as possible? In this material we will look at the main reason for the appearance of a crunch when turning and do not forget to indicate the secondary ones, which are less common.

In 95% of cases, the cause of the crunch is the CV joint - a constant velocity joint (in slang it can be called a grenade).

Crunching sound when turning the steering wheel while stationary or in motion

Common causes of occurrence, noise elimination techniques

The driver of any vehicle should perceive extraneous creaking or grinding noises in the car’s mechanisms as an alarming signal. After all, we are often talking about mechanical wear of an element or its failure, which threatens loss of steering control.

A grinding noise when turning the steering wheel in place and in motion can be caused by a number of problems in the following components:

errors when performing the wheel alignment procedure;
steering rack;
steering column;
power steering;
CV joints;
ball joints;
silent blocks;
plastic elements of the interior and body.

Depending on where the sound appears, you need to analyze the problem and fix it.

In most cases of malfunctions, you will have to contact specialists, since troubleshooting the problem yourself will be difficult due to the complexity of the vehicle design and the risk of errors.

Incorrect vehicle alignment

If the source of squeaking when turning and while parking when twisting the steering wheel is the tires, then there is a high probability that the problem lies not in the steering itself, but in incorrect alignment.

Incorrect installation of the front pair of wheels will immediately affect the service life of the rubber: uneven wear will quickly cause it to fail. Therefore, when diagnosing wheel alignment errors, it is recommended to immediately contact a tire shop and repeat this procedure. It is better to use electronic equipment, since in this case errors in setting the correct position of a pair of wheels will be minimized.

Problems with the steering rack and steering column

One of the most common causes of a grinding noise when turning the steering wheel left or right is a malfunction of the steering rack. The creaking of the rack or column is accompanied by strong vibration on the steering wheel. If the noise and vibration are not strong, then further operation of the vehicle is permitted. However, as you drive, the symptoms of wear on the control elements intensify, which makes replacing the mechanism a necessary procedure.

The steering rack on cars produced in the last decade is a very complex mechanism. The car owner can only inspect the boots and determine their condition, but it is advisable to entrust a more in-depth analysis of the problem and repair work to professionals. The slightest mistake when repairing or replacing this mechanism can result in loss of control at high speed, so it is highly not recommended to fix the malfunction yourself.

CV joint is the main cause of steering wheel crunching

The steering mechanism itself may produce similar sounds, but this probability is quite small. Most often, a crunching sound when turning is produced by a faulty CV joint, which is also called a grenade. The occurrence of such a sound when driving is almost always associated with a malfunction of this element. Experts associate the occurrence of a crunching sound when turning the steering wheel while driving with a CV joint failure in 90% of cases.

Among the consequences of untimely replacement of a broken grenade are:

Complete failure of the mechanism and loss of steering functions;
Wheel slipping or braking while turning;
Increased crunch level;
Jumping of the car at the maximum angle of rotation and inadequate response to steering;
Engine thrust failure;
Changes in engine load.

Untimely repairs and ignoring the problem of a broken CV joint can lead to serious consequences and more expensive repairs in the future.

Causes of extraneous sounds

Causes of extraneous sounds when turning the steering wheel

There are many reasons that can cause noise, among them the most common are:

Steering rack malfunction

Steering column

Malfunctions of suspension elements

a problem with anthers

Steering rack problems

Steering rack with electric power steering: 1— steering wheel, 2— steering column, 3— propeller shaft, 4— electric motor, 5— steering mechanism, 6— control unit, 7— torque sensor

The appearance of a crunching steering wheel is rarely associated with problems with the steering rack. As a rule, such a disease is characteristic of one eminent Bavarian manufacturer.

Many BMW models from the early and mid-90s had serious problems with their steering racks. The crunch of the rack in cars of this brand became almost a hallmark of the brand in those days. It is noteworthy that such a crunch was not essentially a sign of a breakdown, but was associated with the design features of the car.

Models from other manufacturers also experience certain problems with the rack. This mechanism is designed for an average mileage of up to 300 thousand kilometers. In certain cases, the racks can fail at any mileage and cause a crunching sound when turning the steering wheel.

Among the signs of failure of such a mechanism are:

The crunch of the wheel at a certain level of rotation or the crunch that accompanies any manipulation;
Knocks and crunching are felt on the steering wheel and are complemented by vibration when turning;
Knocking in the extreme positions of the steering wheel even with the engine turned off and the wheel moving freely;
Unusual steering response and excessive tightness or, conversely, ease of turning the steering wheel, which was not typical for the car before;
Inadequate reaction to turning the steering wheel and difficulty keeping the car on the road.

If a crunching sound occurs in the steering wheel, you should carry out a full diagnosis of the car and repair the rack if necessary. In most cases, a complete replacement of the rack is required, since repairing the rack is not durable and is considered unprofitable.

It is best to trust the replacement or repair to a specialist, since the steering of modern cars with hydraulic boosters and other mechanisms requires a professional, expert approach.

Car undercarriage crunching

If the above-described causes of crunching are excluded, you should proceed to diagnosing the chassis. The occurrence of malfunctions of this nature in a given unit has a low probability and is associated with many technical difficulties in finding a specific cause.

The only element of the chassis that can make a crunching noise when it breaks is the hub bearing. Most often, when they malfunction, they produce a low hum at high speeds.

To diagnose such bearings it is necessary:

Raise the front of the car using a jack;
Place the car on the handbrake;
Place 1 person behind the wheel, who will start the car and smoothly release the clutch, slowly pressing the gas;
After acceleration, you must turn off the engine and allow the wheel to rotate at high speed. Faulty bearings will immediately give themselves away with a strong hum.

This check cannot be carried out on vehicles that are equipped with an all-wheel drive system or have a center differential lock.

Broken bearings can cause more serious problems with the chassis and lead to unpredictable situations on the road.

A crunching sound in the steering wheel when turning is always a sign of breakdown of car components, so you should not ignore such a problem. In the absence of proper experience and equipment, it is best to have your vehicle diagnosed and repaired by qualified specialists.

avtoexperts.ru

Crunching sounds when turning the steering wheel are not a common malfunction, so they can confuse car owners - many simply do not have experience in dealing with this scourge due to its rarity. Meanwhile, the phenomenon is very insidious. It is very dangerous to let the situation with the steering take its course, so when the first oddities (including sound ones) appear in its operation, you need to react. The problem is that the crunching has one obvious reason and many unobvious ones. It’s good if the problem can be fixed in an obvious way, because otherwise the cause of the squeak can take a long time to find.

Crunching noise when turning the steering wheel while driving

A striking feature of the “steering” crunch is whether it is heard only while driving or is heard while standing still. This classification allows you to choose the desired search direction. If a crunching sound is heard during turns and maneuvers in motion, then with a high degree of probability the problem is in the CV joint. Constant velocity joints allow you to shift the plane of torque transmission. Usually in a front-wheel drive car there are two pairs of them - the internal ones are located near the exit from the gearbox, and the external ones are located directly near the wheel and allow torque to be transmitted even when the wheels are turned out. It is when the steering wheel is turned at speed that a sharp sound appears, the frequency depending on the rotation of the wheels. It is difficult to confuse it with something else; drivers whose CV joints have started to creak at least once can easily recognize the breakdown the second time.

What else can cause crunching?

There are also more rare cases when the crunch is created not by the CV joint, but by other parts of the chassis, we list them:

wheel bearings;
steering rack;
the wheel touches the arch (unlikely, but also worth paying attention to).

Bearing failure is fairly easy to identify. It is necessary to hang the front wheels one by one and rotate them. If the bearings are faulty and jammed, the wheel will slow down and sometimes make a characteristic “grazing” sound. The moment of knocking, as a rule, appears in the same position of the wheel.

It is worth noting!
When they break, the bearings hum and whistle more often than they do a crunching sound.

Diagnosing a faulty steering rack is much more difficult. In this case, the crunch must be looked for precisely at the moment of turning the steering wheel or rotating in place. It is also worth observing changes in the steering behavior: does the car also respond well to steering wheel turns or not, are there times when turning the steering wheel becomes difficult or, on the contrary, easy.

If any of these symptoms are observed, then most likely you should resort to more detailed disassembly and diagnosis of the problem, since the steering is not a system that you can turn a blind eye to. It directly affects safety.

This often happens when one or another problem occurs in the car. Extraneous sounds in the car from the steering system should immediately be perceived by the driver as a threat to his safety and other road users. It is important not to delay contacting auto mechanics. It will also not be superfluous to conduct computer diagnostics, which will help determine one or another malfunction of the car.

A creaking sound in the steering wheel is a possible sign of serious problems.

Extraneous sounds from the steering system can occur in various situations. It is important to take into account the complexity of the steering mechanism, especially when it works with hydraulic or electric power steering. The presence of these elements increases the number of causes of noise when turning the steering wheel. For high-quality diagnostics, it is necessary to attract a highly qualified specialist who must clearly determine the place from which the extraneous noise is coming. It is important to tell the mechanic under what circumstances the noise occurs - while driving or at a standstill.

You also need to describe the frequency of the squeak, when you turn the steering wheel in which direction it gets stronger, and whether it is related to the road surface, cold or hot weather.

Why does the steering wheel squeak when turning?

Extraneous noise when turning the steering wheel may be caused by faults in the steering, braking system, suspension or chassis.

The most common breakdowns are the steering column and steering rack.

If the first one malfunctions, you can feel superficial but noticeable vibrations and impacts on the steering wheel. It may begin to make sounds when it hits the steering wheel during braking or an accident. In this case, there is a risk of bending the steering column. Extraneous sounds may come from the steering column coupling.

You can eliminate the noise by adding some lubricant. In addition, it is worth paying attention to the steering column cross. The driveshaft should be treated with a small amount of reliable WD-40 lubricant.

The best solution to all problems is to purchase and install a new steering column.

The steering wheel creaks when turning due to the steering rack

The steering rack may have the following problems:

Wear of parts and mechanisms;
Rupture of anthers and dirt getting onto the rail;
Friction of steering tips on rods;
Deformation of the steering rack housing.

Extraneous sounds can also come from the junction of the steering column and rack. To do this, you need to properly adjust them. This adjustment may vary on different car models.

Why else does creaking occur when turning the steering wheel in place?

A car's steering wheel creaking can occur when the tie rod boots are damaged. Moreover, an extraneous sound is produced almost always: during turns in place, while driving and overcoming uneven road surfaces. Debris that gets into them contributes to the occurrence of squeaking. Therefore, it is necessary to inspect the condition of the anthers and replace them if worn.

If the steering wheel not only creaks when rotating, but also plays and vibrates, this may indicate wear on the steering joints that need to be replaced.

The next reason that the steering wheel squeaks when turning is a lack of power steering fluid. Usually the creaking appears when turning while stopping - extraneous noise is heard. In order to solve this problem, you should add fluid to the power steering reservoir yourself. If an extraneous squeak remains, then you should pay attention to the power steering pump and belt; they may be faulty. It is recommended to repair power steering parts at specialized service stations.

Another answer to the car owner’s question “what can squeak when turning the steering wheel?” is incorrect wheel alignment. It can be done in service centers with special equipment and computers. This will allow you to set the most accurate wheel alignment angles. Incorrect wheel alignment can have such bad consequences as accelerated and uneven tire wear. A dangerous call can be a characteristic crunch and squeak when turning the steering wheel of a car while it is moving.

This may indicate wear of the ball joints, which need to be properly diagnosed and immediately replaced in the event of a malfunction. A worn ball joint can cause a wheel to come off at high speed, putting the vehicle and driver at increased risk.

Also, a sound when turning the steering wheel is produced when the support bearing of the strut wears out (pictured above). A temporary solution to this problem is lubrication. To do this, you need to dismantle the bearings, inspect them for the presence of sand and other dirt and damage. If there are no problems with the bearing, then you just need to lubricate it and install it back and adjust it correctly. But a more reliable option is to replace the bearings with new ones.

Cars with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive experience noise when turning the steering wheel when their constant velocity joints (CV joints) wear out. The sharper the turn and the higher the speed, the louder the noise. If crunching sounds are made at the slightest turns of the steering wheel, then spare parts should be changed immediately.

In hot weather, when turning the steering wheel, silent blocks may begin to creak. High air temperature promotes drying and shrinkage of rubber silent blocks. A visual inspection by dismantling will allow you to assess the nature of their wear. Polyurethane can be a good alternative to rubber silent blocks. It does not deform when exposed to elevated air temperatures. A grinding noise in the steering wheel can also occur when braking. The problem lies in a malfunction of the brake system, namely worn pads. Installing new brake pads will solve this problem.

In addition, you need to pay attention to the condition of the brake discs.

Extraneous noise can also arise from the interior trim, i.e. steering casing, which is made of plastic. In inexpensive cars of modest configuration there is a tendency to the so-called. crickets. The solution to this problem depends on the make and model of the car. From this video you will learn how to solve the problem of squeaking steering wheel due to the upper support bearing:

There is a crunching sound when turning the steering wheel: what is the reason?

If you hear a crunching sound when turning the steering wheel, you must urgently find the cause and eliminate it, as this can lead to serious consequences. The steering plays an important role in the design of the car, since your safety depends on its proper operation. Malfunctions of this system can lead to expensive repairs, as well as an emergency situation on the road.

A steering control that has malfunctions must be immediately returned to working condition at the first sign of problems. A common malfunction is a crunching sound when turning the steering wheel while driving. Having discovered this malfunction, you cannot delay repairing this mechanism. But first you need to make a diagnosis. Some people immediately go to a car repair shop, others repair their “iron horse” with their own hands.

Both of these car owners made the right decision in their own way, as there are advantages and disadvantages in both cases. If we talk about the repair and diagnosis of the steering mechanism at a service station, then the main advantages of such treatment are that it is possible to accurately and quickly diagnose the malfunction, and also eliminate it quite quickly. The downside is that it is a waste of money, and the steering costs a lot, and its repair will be expensive, so you should think carefully before contacting a car repair shop.

This work is quite complicated, since when you turn the steering wheel, not only the steering mechanism works, but also many other components: CV joints, steering tips and rods, wheels, etc. Therefore, it is difficult to immediately say where the crunching comes from when the steering wheel rotates. It may not be related to the steering.

How to determine the cause of squeaking and grinding noises when turning the steering wheel

It is important that extraneous noise while the car is moving can appear at any speed. The driver, turning the steering wheel in one direction or another, hears an uncharacteristic grinding sound even when driving at a speed of 30 km/h. It is noteworthy that when turning the steering wheel, a grinding noise can be heard even when the car is standing still.

Modern car models are equipped with power steering (power steering), thanks to which the steering wheel rotates as easily and silently as possible. For basic configurations, a slight hum or hissing sounds are allowed when the steering wheel is turned to extreme positions. However, there should be no grinding or squeaking noise regardless of whether power steering is installed or not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytcreatorsru

Determining the cause of uncharacteristic noises when turning the steering wheel is not easy. The first step is to establish not only the source of uncharacteristic sounds, but also additional symptoms. Indeed, in a number of cases, the driver not only hears unusual sounds, but also feels any problems with the controls.

When diagnosing the cause of noise, several important factors must be taken into account:

specificity of noise (humming, creaking, grinding, crunching, knocking);
moments when noise appears (grinding noise when turning the steering wheel while moving or while the car is parked);
frequency of noise - depending on weather conditions, engine temperature, vehicle load and other factors;
the appearance of a grinding noise when turning the steering wheel left or right, or in both directions;
What other symptoms appear along with the noise?

Complete answers to these questions will help a car service specialist determine the source of the problem as accurately as possible and eliminate it.

A grinding noise when turning the steering wheel in place and in motion can be caused by a number of problems in the following components:

errors when performing the wheel alignment procedure;
steering rack;
steering column;
power steering;
CV joints;
ball joints;
silent blocks;
plastic elements of the interior and body.

Depending on where the sound appears, you need to analyze the problem and fix it.

In most cases of malfunctions, you will have to contact specialists, since troubleshooting the problem yourself will be difficult due to the complexity of the vehicle design and the risk of errors.

One of the most common causes of a grinding noise when turning the steering wheel left or right is a malfunction of the steering rack. The creaking of the rack or column is accompanied by strong vibration on the steering wheel. If the noise and vibration are not strong, then further operation of the vehicle is permitted. However, as you drive, the symptoms of wear on the control elements intensify, which makes replacing the mechanism a necessary procedure.

The steering linkage may also creak due to deformation of the anthers. If the boot is torn, sand can get into the tip through it, which causes squeaks. When inspecting the unit, it will be necessary to identify breaks.

The fault can only be eliminated by replacing a pair of tie rod ends with all components. The replacement can be done on your own if the car owner has the skills to independently maintain his vehicle.

In rare cases, the tie rod end may make unusual sounds due to friction with adjacent mechanisms. It will be necessary to adjust the position of the tips and replace the anthers. If one tip in a pair shows signs of wear, then the entire pair is replaced.

After several years of use, the ball joint wears out and begins to grind when moving. It is important to notice this sound in a timely manner and replace the support, since there is a danger of its failure when moving at high speed. It is also recommended to periodically check the condition of the boots, the tightness of which largely determines the service life of the ball joint.

If the driver hears crunching and grinding noises when turning the steering wheel left and right, then there is a high probability that the CV joint is failing. The bearing needs to be lubricated and the boot needs to be replaced. If the CV joint has mechanical defects, it must be completely replaced: such a part cannot be repaired.

Silent blocks creaking

Creaking when turning the steering wheel in place and while driving can be caused by wear of the silent blocks. As a rule, the rubber components of silent blocks begin to dry out gradually, which is especially noticeable in hot weather.

The uncharacteristic noise of silent blocks will be produced until the part breaks. It is important that creaking occurs only at high ambient temperatures and can disappear when it gets colder. If the silent block has no breaks and is not completely dry, it can continue to be used in the design of the machine. However, the first squeaks in the heat can already be considered a signal to replace these parts in the near future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytpressru

New generation cars are equipped with silent blocks made of high-strength polyurethane, which virtually eliminates the risk of them drying out in hot weather.

Bearings creaking

Unusual driving sounds coming from the steering knuckle when the steering wheel is rotated may indicate a problem with the bearings. Creaking and crackling noises accompany the operation of bearings when their lubricant runs out or sand gets inside the housing.

If the problem is not corrected in time, serious damage may occur. You will need to remove the bearings from the car and inspect them for damage. If no visible defects are observed, it is necessary to lubricate the part and install it in place. In case of damage, it is recommended to replace the bearing with a similar one.

Creaks, whistles, crackles and even howls of the plastic casing are accompanying sounds when driving any economy class car after several years of operation. Due to vibration, friction begins in all plastic elements of the interior:

Front Panel;
door trim;
steering wheel cover.

This problem can be solved by additionally fixing each plastic element (with glue, rivets or self-tapping screws). In some cases, it may be necessary to replace some part of the casing.

Often car owners of old cars do not pay attention to these sounds - squeaking plastic cannot be called a problem, since it is not associated with malfunctions of the mechanical parts of the car. Such sound while driving only affects the comfortable stay of people in the cabin.

The creaking of rubber when turning the steering wheel can indicate a variety of problems in the design of the car. To better understand the source of these sounds, you need to drive the car onto an overpass. In this case, one person in the cabin turns the steering wheel in different directions, and another person under the car tries to determine the source of the rubber squeak.

If the problem lies in the tires on the wheels, then this will be quickly determined. You will either need to perform a wheel alignment or purchase a new set of tires to replace the worn one.

Almost every steering element is equipped with rubber or polyurethane parts. Therefore, any component in the vehicle control system can creak. As a rule, extraneous sounds occur due to a lack of lubrication or when a foreign body enters a rubber element. Therefore, to eliminate the problem, you will need to inspect the part, clean it of sand and foreign bodies, and thoroughly lubricate it. If the rubber element has cracks or tears, it must be replaced.

This noise is considered typical for all vehicles equipped with power steering. In any mode (parking in place or moving forward/backward), the power steering will emit a low hum when you turn the steering wheel. In rare cases, noise effects will become louder only when the steering wheel is turned in one direction or another.

If the power steering hum becomes louder during operation of the machine, it is necessary to check the mechanism itself. Most often, it is necessary to add power steering fluid to eliminate loud noise when driving a car.

It is important that a strong hum when the hydraulic booster is malfunctioning is always accompanied by difficulty in driving the car. Therefore, this malfunction can be identified in a timely manner when the steering wheel begins to turn more difficult.

Pomegranates crunch

When you turn the steering wheel while driving, you hear a crunching sound.
From the very beginning, the thought arises that this is a malfunction of the angular velocity joints, simply called grenades. The steering action is performed without any extraneous noise or sounds, but when this system is damaged, a specific sound similar to a crunch often appears. It lets the driver know that in the near future such symptoms will lead to unpleasant moments:

The CV joint can suddenly fly out of its seat and cause damage to the car engine.
The linkage with the wheel may fly out, which will lead to an accident on the road.
Along with the sounds, the car vibrates when the wheel is turned all the way.
When turning, the wheel begins to brake and slide along the road.
Slow cessation of steering action and blocking of the entire mechanism.

If extraneous noises or sounds arise from the car, you must immediately find out the cause of its occurrence and quickly take corrective measures. In this case, to resume steering operation, it is necessary to install a working part together with new boots.

Ways to eliminate clicks in the steering wheel

As mentioned above, all malfunctions associated with clicks in the steering wheel can be eliminated by an ordinary driver. It is enough to identify the fault and either replace the broken part or rebuild it. There is nothing complicated here. The steering wheel is one of the most important parts of the car. Any malfunctions, sounds, or clicks that arise should be immediately attended to. The steering must always be in good working order. Clicking noises in the steering wheel are a signal that there is a problem with the steering. Therefore, you should not forget about them and not pay attention to them. Take care of your car.

Crunch in the steering rack

An experienced car owner can quickly distinguish the crunch of a grenade from the noise coming from the steering rack. This does not happen often, but its occurrence cannot be ruled out. This malfunction is characterized by the following factors:

Crunching sound when turning the steering wheel in place.
Vibration of the steering wheel when driving on a flat road surface.
The car doesn't listen well to the steering wheel.
When turning the steering wheel, a lot of force is required, or vice versa, it is too easy.
With the engine turned off, when the steering wheel is turned all the way in one direction, a metallic click is heard and there is a slight play.

If such breakdowns are identified, they must be repaired quickly. Most often, the steering rack needs to be replaced with a new one, but there are professional craftsmen who can rebuild this unit and prolong its operation. This solution is not used in practice by ordinary car owners, since after restoration this unit will not work for long. Therefore, it is better and easier to completely replace it with a new product.

It is very difficult to replace the steering rack yourself, so it is advisable to contact a car repair shop.

Video - What to do if you hear a knock when turning

And finally, the reason that is heard by the vast majority of motorists is damage to the constant velocity joint, or CV joint. Wear of the element itself initiates a sound more like a “crack”, but damage to the CV joint boot, which, in fact, leads to premature failure of the hinge itself, “gives birth” to sounds that are often mistaken for a knock. The most effective method of preventing this defect is regular (at least once a month) inspection of the condition of the anthers and immediate replacement if ruptures are detected. This habit will significantly save you not only time, but also money.

Many drivers quite often encounter such a problem that when turning the steering wheel, clicks or knocks are heard. This situation can occur in both old and new cars; it is quite common. Any driver can determine the source of these clicks without contacting a service station. This saves time and money. If the car owner has at least some repair skills, then he can fix the problem himself, spending only on new spare parts.

If the steering wheel clicks when turning, and this sound is heard with every maneuver performed, then first you need to determine the nature of the sound. If the sound is clear and ringing, then this indicates the presence of a metal-to-metal impact. If the sound is less clear, muffled, then this is more likely a contact of metal and plastic. In addition, it is necessary to determine at least the approximate location where the sound comes from. This will not only reduce the troubleshooting area, but will also help to at least approximately determine the breakdown.

The simplest cause of clicking noises in the steering wheel is incorrect tire pressure. If they are too different from each other, clicks may appear in the steering column when turning the steering wheel. In addition, the cause may be torn off fender liners.

If you hear clicks in the steering wheel, check the pressure in the wheels and the condition of the fender liners.

If the screws have been torn out, then the torn fender liner will cling to the tire and dangle, making clicking noises when turning the steering wheel left and right.

These breakdowns can be quickly and easily fixed: properly inflate the wheels and screw on the wheel arch liners.

However, there are more serious reasons for knocking in the steering wheel. For example, a malfunction of the steering mechanism is quite dangerous, then clicks are heard directly in it. You can also check the car yourself by arriving at the overpass and carefully examining the suspension.

First of all, the condition of the steering tips is assessed. If the boot of such a tip is damaged, dust and sand will get inside, as a result of which the part will begin to wear out quickly. And then there will be a backlash - the source of clicks and knocking. This reason can be identified by loosening the steering rod, for example, with a pry bar. If in this case there is knocking and play, the tip must be replaced. In addition, it is recommended to replace two tips at once, since any tip develops a slight play over time. And if you replace one (install without play) and leave the old one (with play), then the car will run unevenly, and noise and knocking will also be noticeable. In addition, the wheel alignment may constantly go astray.

Checking the condition of the car suspension

Steering rod silent blocks can also cause clicking noises. Wear of silent blocks and delamination of rubber can even produce clicks when turning the steering wheel in place and while driving. If this is the cause of the knocking, then the silent blocks must be replaced.

If the steering wheel clicks when turning, check the tie rod ends and tie rods.

When the rack bushings wear out, a knocking noise in the steering wheel may also occur. There is a small gap between the rack and gear. Sometimes it is possible to eliminate the gap using an adjusting bolt. If this does not help, then the worn bushings need to be replaced. The clicking noises may come from the steering column shaft. If damaged, it may make strange sounds. It just needs to be replaced. Clicks in the suspension when turning the steering wheel may indicate a broken outer CV joint. Then they will only appear when turning. If clicks occur when going uphill, then the inner CV joint is faulty. It is also easy to determine this breakdown: you need to drive the car onto an overpass and check the boots. If they do not fit well, the clamps are torn or have come off, then dirt has gotten inside the CV joint, and therefore it has failed. You should not delay the replacement, since over time the CV joint may completely turn out, then the car will need to be delivered to the repair site by tow truck or tow truck.

The cause of clicking noises when turning may be a faulty CV joint.

If clicks when turning are heard along with the characteristic hum of the wheels, then the problem lies in the wheel bearing. One of the most dangerous malfunctions, it is better to immediately replace the bearings, and if the driver is forced to drive such a car, then the speed should not exceed 80 km/h.

Steering wheel

A crunch or squeak is heard directly inside the car and has nothing to do with the steering mechanism.
Most often, such a malfunction occurs in inexpensive brands of cars due to poor quality processing of body parts. The reason lies in the friction of the steering wheel on the plastic, the laxity of various fastenings, for example, signal delivery devices. This malfunction does not require much effort to solve the problem. The steering wheel must be disassembled and removed; if necessary, the upper part of the plastic elements of the steering column must be cleaned.

Steering column

In this mechanism, crunching can be produced from the following sources:

The body is made of cheap plastic in inexpensive cars.
Extraneous noise may come from the steering column coupling, which can be eliminated by adding a certain amount of lubricant, the type of which depends on what material the coupling is made of.
The column crosspiece, called the driveshaft, rubs against the boot located near the driver's feet, where the column meets the engine compartment. A crunch may occur after repairs due to slight misalignment of parts. The problem is solved by adding lubricant or WD-40.
The steering column may be bent. A squeak appears on the surface, auxiliary signs are: shocks, vibration on the steering wheel. This malfunction can be eliminated by replacing the entire mechanism with a new unit, although a slight noise indicates a minor malfunction.

Power steering

In the steering mechanism where it is mounted, this is the noisiest mechanism.
When you turn the steering wheel of a stationary car, it produces a specific noise. An increase in this sound indicates that the fluid level in the power steering is insufficient. This issue is resolved by adding fluid to the expansion tank. Other extraneous sounds in the form of whistling or creaking indicate serious malfunctions. Their causes may be wear of the power steering belt, or its weakening, penetration of air into the system, or breakdown of the power steering pump. It is advisable to identify and repair them in car repair services.

Suspension, bearings, chassis

If, after checking the mechanisms that have been considered, the cause of the crunching is not clear, then it is necessary to carry out subsequent diagnostics of the lower components of the machine.
However, this work should not be postponed, since the crunching noise can lead to serious negative consequences that are not comparable to the safety of driving a car. When turning the steering column, the wheel bearing may crunch. But most often it buzzes when the car reaches a certain speed. This condition is easy to check. To do this, you need to do the following together with an assistant:

Raise the wheel being tested on a jack or lift. At this time, the vehicle should be secured with wheel chocks.
Depress the handbrake as much as possible and make sure the remaining wheels are firmly on the ground
Start the engine and engage second gear, release the clutch pedal.
Wait until the suspended wheel picks up speed, switch to neutral, turn off the engine and listen to the sounds coming from the rotation of the wheel.
If the hub bearing is faulty, it will make a crunching or humming noise until it stops. If the bearing is in good condition, then only the sounds of friction of the suspension parts will be heard.

This procedure is only allowed on vehicles with front-wheel drive, without all-wheel drive or the ability to lock a differential.

Timely detection and elimination of malfunctions associated with the occurrence of crunching and the appearance of various sounds can increase the service life of the corresponding components that can fail in the event of a malfunction. If you quickly identify a damaged CV joint cover, you can quickly replace it and protect the grenade from the penetration of dust and sand, which requires significantly less financial costs.

Also, if you hear a crunching sound when turning the steering wheel, and you quickly detect it, this will make your life safer. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically check the condition of the car, which is much cheaper than making repairs and replacing expensive parts.

Silent blocks crunch

This is a common malfunction of rubber-to-metal joints, especially in hot summer weather.
At elevated air temperatures, silent blocks may creak, which indicates the need to check and replace them. The creaking or crunching of silent blocks on a summer day occurs due to drying out of the hinges. The main material of these units is rubber. At elevated temperatures, it dries out and decreases in volume, especially if these nodes are already old.

There is no particular danger in the crunching of silent blocks until the rubber breaks. It is necessary to remove the silent blocks and carry out a visual inspection. If cracks or damage are found, they should be replaced. If no problems are found, then they should be put in their place and continue to enjoy driving the car, hoping that soon the air will become cooler and the squeak will disappear.