Noisy steering!!!

Conflicted · #1 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 10:02 PM

My steering on this car is about to drive me CRAZY. When I turn the wheel to the right at stopped or very low speeds, *creeeeeeeeaaaaaak*. It sounds like a rubber shoe on a wet linoleum floor, but not very loud.

It's not a drivability issue (so they say), but it's driving me NUTS. I've had it in twice, both times for a full day, and once they replaced the cable reel (nope) and the other, they lubricated something in the rack (Nope!). Neither worked. I'm not taking it back again JUST for that, since it's not affecting driving, but what could be the problem here?

seeremlive · #2 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 10:33 PM

I would bet it is the boots on the ball joints or the tire rod ends. I had this on my Dakota after replacing the ball joints. Even after 40,000 miles they still made a creaking noise. I had my wife turn the wheel when I listened with a tire off. Sure enough the ball joint was making the noise. The grease seal on these newer sealed grease-less joints seem to make noise.

gimme · #3 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 10:54 PM

mine has done it for quite a while.

kenchan · #4 (**permalink**) 08-12-2009, 04:14 PM

could be your strut mounts. the entire strut turns with the steering so that's about the only mechanical thing that can make noise. wonder if your top mount bearing is binding.

Conflicted · #5 (**permalink**) 08-12-2009, 04:18 PM

The grease seals are what they lubricated. It worked for a few days, but now it's back again. It ONLY happens when I'm turning the wheel to the right from center. No noise at full lock, and no noise on left turns. Just from centerline to right-turn. Odd.

gimme · #6 (**permalink**) 08-12-2009, 04:18 PM

I hear it inside the cab. just beneath the steering column somewhere. squeaky shoe sounds about right

Conflicted · #7 (**permalink**) 08-12-2009, 04:20 PM

Same place as in mine. They actually took my column apart to find it and finally had to call Honda. They guessed at it, but apparently, they weren't right either.

eldaino · #8 (**permalink**) 08-12-2009, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gimme

I hear it inside the cab. just beneath the steering column somewhere. squeaky shoe sounds about right

i have had this too, started about at 26k. it comes and goes though.

kenchan · #9 (**permalink**) 08-12-2009, 05:40 PM

oh, i thought you were getting like a rubber creaking sound...hummm...

id remove the steering wheel and take a look inside. but remember you need to unplug your battery and let the ECU drain at least a good 3-5min before you remove the airbag. (i just step on the brake pedal to drain the remaining power) otherwise i can potentially deploy... and that can be very harmful / potentially deadly. so do it at your own risk).

Yes, I Vtec · #10 (**permalink**) 08-12-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conflicted

The grease seals are what they lubricated. It worked for a few days, but now it's back again. It ONLY happens when I'm turning the wheel to the right from center. No noise at full lock, and no noise on left turns. Just from centerline to right-turn. Odd.

maybe they messed up the passenger one?

spreadhead · #11 (**permalink**) 08-12-2009, 06:03 PM

Check and maybe lube the grommet where the steering shaft goes through the firewall.

Conflicted · #12 (**permalink**) 08-12-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

oh, i thought you were getting like a rubber creaking sound...hummm...

id remove the steering wheel and take a look inside. but remember you need to unplug your battery and let the ECU drain at least a good 3-5min before you remove the airbag. (i just step on the brake pedal to drain the remaining power) otherwise i can potentially deploy... and that can be very harmful / potentially deadly. so do it at your own risk).

Umm...yeahnot! It's not in the wheel. It's definitely behind the dash.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yes, I Vtec

maybe they messed up the passenger one?

I don't think so. It's always been in the passenger side and the same noise, so I don't think that's the case.

kenchan · #13 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 04:49 PM

yah, it's hard to diagnose with your explanation...

hope you find the root cause though.

Conflicted · #14 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 04:52 PM

Apparently, it's hard to find, period. It's annoying, but doesn't seem to mess anything up. I just thought someone else might have gotten theirs fixed.

polaski · #15 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 05:47 PM

Have you had someone else with their head under the hood listening to it to try to locate it?

Conflicted · #16 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 05:50 PM

They couldn't hear it over the engine. It's not even that loud inside the car...it's just realllly audible if the radio is off and there are NO KIDS in the car. LOL.