steering noise - 97 taurus
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: nc
Posts: 607
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
steering noise - 97 taurus
1997 Ford Taurus G, 81,000 miles. My car is making a loud squeaking noise whenever I turn the steering wheel in either direction. It makes a sound like something in the steering system is missing some grease. It is most noticable when parking the car or turning the steering wheel while parked. It makes the same noise when the engine is turned off so I assume this means its not the power steering pump? Other than the noise, the steering is working fine.
What could be causing this noise?
Any help will be appreciated.
What could be causing this noise?
Any help will be appreciated.
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: nc
Posts: 607
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
I've never heard the CV joints click. I jacked up the car last night so try and see where the noise is coming from. I wanted to see if it was coming from a wheel I recently replaced from a junk yard, but the noise was still there with that wheel off the ground. The noise sounded like it may be coming fom the strut on the driver's side so I'm thinking maybe I have a bad strut bearing but I'm really not sure at this point.
#5
Have somebody turn the wheel back and forth slowly while you touch the strut nut under the hood. If it feels like somebody tapping from below, it's time for new strut bearings or mounts. If you can see the spring from the side or below, it will probably be jerking with wheel turning.
At 81k you may want the struts replaced also, along with any needed insulators.
If you are planning on keeping the car, consider replacing the springs while you are in there. At ~$100 a pair it is the single most effective ride control component. Struts only dampen the road (hence the name dampners overseas), while springs support the vehicle- the better the car is held up the less road force is felt in the vehicle. Springs wear very slowly, so their degradation is rarely felt(but,my car rides fine!), but after spring replacement the difference is noticable(wow, it didn't ride this good new!).
Springs are one of the few components on a car that work everyday whether driven or not.
At 81k you may want the struts replaced also, along with any needed insulators.
If you are planning on keeping the car, consider replacing the springs while you are in there. At ~$100 a pair it is the single most effective ride control component. Struts only dampen the road (hence the name dampners overseas), while springs support the vehicle- the better the car is held up the less road force is felt in the vehicle. Springs wear very slowly, so their degradation is rarely felt(but,my car rides fine!), but after spring replacement the difference is noticable(wow, it didn't ride this good new!).
Springs are one of the few components on a car that work everyday whether driven or not.
#6
Re-reading your post- if noise is high it is probably strut mount.
If it sounds like lower down, might be a tie rod end or ball joint failing, most are ungreasable and have to be replaced.
If it sounds like lower down, might be a tie rod end or ball joint failing, most are ungreasable and have to be replaced.