Hearing odd noises coming from your vehicle can be both disconcerting and alarming, particularly when they emanate from areas that could impact how safely you drive on the road. Grinding noises when turning the steering wheel at low speeds could be caused by any number of issues, including:
1. Worn Ball Joints
Hearing unexpected sounds when turning your steering wheel can be disconcerting, but they’re usually your car alerting you that something needs fixing. Clunks or whines could be indicative of loose or damaged parts that need tightening up or replacing altogether.
Wear and tear on the ball joints connecting the lower control arm, steering knuckle and steering wheel can wear down over time, leading to stiff steering wheel movement with grinding noises during turn. In addition, this may indicate that power steering fluid loss has occurred and that your power steering pump may no longer be functioning correctly.
Inspection of ball joints for signs of rust or other damage can be performed by prying them apart with a screwdriver and ratchet or wrench. If an excessively loose joint is detected, replacement must be undertaken immediately.
2. Worn CV Joints
An annoying grinding noise when turning the steering wheel can be more than an irritating soundtrack; it could be an indication that something’s amiss with your car and needs immediate repairs, not to mention compromise its safety on the road. Ignoring such sounds could result in costly and extensive repairs in the future and put your safety at risk.
Uncomfortably loud sounds may be emanating from a worn constant velocity (CV) joint, responsible for transmitting power from transmission to wheels and enabling them to turn. Common symptoms of such damage include popping or clicking noises when turning and stiffness in steering wheel and vibrations when driving.
To check whether your CV joints are the source, reverse and turn your car over – if the sound becomes louder when turning backward, this indicates wear on an outer CV joint that requires replacement.
3. Low Power Steering Fluid
Grindy noises when turning the steering wheel could be an indicator that your car’s power steering system has worn down, possibly with hydraulic pressure helping assist in turns; but if the fluid level drops too low or is contaminated by dirt and grime it becomes difficult to maneuver the wheel.
To determine this is your issue, park your car and turn both wheels left then right (R-L). If the sound comes from either side of the car it indicates there may be a leak between your power steering pump and front wheels and requires professional inspection and repair to fix.
Check your power steering fluid by taking a closer look at its level in your reservoir cap and checking its level. If it falls below recommended levels, add new fluid according to your owner’s manual – premium brands usually tend to last longer.
4. Damaged Brake System
At times when turning your steering wheel, a grinding noise may emanate from your brake system – typically from caliper, pad or rotor problems.
A grinding noise when turning your vehicle can also be a telltale sign of excessive brake pad wear. Worn-out pads allow metal backing plates of rotors to rub against brake caliper brackets, producing a distinctive grinding sound when turning.
If you detect this issue with your vehicle’s brakes, take it immediately to a shop that specializes in pushrods and suspension parts to properly diagnose and remedy it before it worsens. Brakes are one of the most crucial safety features on any car or truck and any issues with them should be taken care of early rather than later if possible as fixing them early could save money over time and prevent more expensive repairs down the line.
5. Worn Suspension or Steering System
Steering and suspension systems are both vital parts of maintaining control, stability and handling in your vehicle. Over time they become worn-down due to weather or road conditions; when this occurs it should be repaired immediately by professionals. If you hear a grinding sound when turning the steering wheel it’s essential that your vehicle be examined by one.
If the sound accompanied by stiff power steering system is also present, a failing constant velocity (CV) joint could be at fault. Furthermore, low fluid levels or an inoperative pump could also contribute to this sensation when turning.
Unusual noises coming from your steering and suspension systems should never be ignored; whether they involve clunks, squeals or groaned in your car’s steering and suspension components it could be telling you it needs new components before wearing out and creating safety hazards on the road.
6. Wheel Bearings
Wheel bearings are essential components that enable wheels to spin freely. Made up of small steel balls enclosed within an inner metal ring called a race and coated in grease for reduced friction when turning, each wheel on your car contains one of these wheel bearings as part of its steering system.
If you hear a humming or growling sound when turning your steering wheel, worn-out wheel bearings could be to blame. The sound often gets louder as your vehicle speeds up; additionally, this may result in diminished steering responsiveness and potential responsiveness issues.
Over time, your wheel bearing grease may wear away, leading to overheating. Once this occurs, they become vulnerable to contamination with dirt, water, or debris which then accelerates their wear-out rate – leading to faster wear-out rates and creating potentially unsafe driving conditions for you and other drivers alike. Without prompt action taken to address this problem, your bearings could completely wear away, creating an unsafe situation for both yourself and other drivers on the road.
