96 Taurus-shudder and noise problem

Hi,

I have a 96 Taurus GL with @ 93,000 miles. It has started making a creaking/knocking noise in the right front tire area when turning. It used to do it only when it was really hot outside, but now has started doing it even in cooler weather. There is also a brief shudder when accelerating b/t 50 -55 mph (or above) and a shudder when breaking from higher speeds. I had new struts and brakes put on less than a year ago and I just had new tires put on as well.

I've had guesses from friends/family that range from ball bearings, wheel bearings, cv-joints (a mechanic ruled this out), to ty-rods and/or rack & pinion steering. (My friends can't decide which my car has.) It has a new power-steering pump (actually it's had 3 in less than 2 years!), so that has been ruled out as well. I took it to a mechanic to try and get a diagnosis, but of course it didn't make the noise while the mechanic was looking at it so he couldn't help me.

A couple of side issues as well: the blinkers, especially the right one, doesn't always work correctly. If I turn it on, it sounds like it's working, but the dash blinker light doesn't show up. If I turn it off and then back on, I can usually (not always) get it to work. Also, the sprayer for the windshield wipers doesn't always want to come on. I have to hold the lever in for several seconds and then let up and try again to get it to work.

Can anyone PLEASE help?!!!

THANKS!!!

You have a problem with your rack and pinion it soundes like. I have read that contamation in the rac/pin causes it to take out power steering pumps. i have a problem with mine to. it is loose steering and when i brake front end shakes ggod luck Drew

knocking check your cv joints creeking could be breaks or wheel beering just guessing havent heard it.

Let's start with the easy stuff. The blinker issue is a dirty multi-function swith (the turn-signal switch). You will need to disassemble and clean, or replace.

The washer issue- same switch.

Tie-rods Vs rack and pinion steering. Well, you've got both, actually. Tie-rods are what attach the rack to the wheel knuckles. In fact, just about all rack-and-pinion steering systems use tie-rods to connect to the wheel knuckles. The other main type of steering, something you would not have on your car is called Pitman Arm or Ball and Screw steering.

If your friend does not know that your FWD car has rack-and-pinion, and confuses connecting rods with entire steering assemblies, you should be hard pressed to accept any car advice from him/her.

As for your creaking/knocking, it could be several different things. Unfortunately, most vehicles these days do not have proper maintenance performed on the suspension, or any maintenance at all. Once you get up around 80,000 miles or so, everything is well worn in, and noises can be hard to locate with the car in the air and the suspension unloaded (Is this loose part the problem, or is this other loose part the problem?)

I could give you a handful of suggestions, but it's not really going to be possible to identify your problem with text on a computer screen. You are going to need to get under the car and start tugging on things, or more likely, just start replacing things. I would suggest you start with cheaper things, like replacing all the worn rubber bushings for starters.

Somethings that may or may not be of help:

Does the noise occur once, or continually while turning? If it is a continuous, clacking or screeching type of noise, look at the outer CV joint and wheel bearing.

Does it occur only when turning the steering wheel? If so, look at the inner and outer tie-rods, lower ball joint, steering rack mounts.

Does it occur as the car shifts weight from side to side? Sway-bar mounts, end links, upper strut mount.

Does it occur specifically during braking or accellerating? Lower ball joint, upper strut mount, torque-arm bushings, forward torque-arm mount cup.

These are only the most common items to cause the indicated symptoms. Other suspension components could still end up being the cause.

If you take it to a shop, do not be shocked if they indicate that you need $800-$1000 worth of work.

sounds like possibly an upper strut mount to me, is there any popping or knocking in the front end over bumps?

Thanks for the suggestions! I will pass them on to my more mechanically inclined family and friends. The noise is continuous, but only while turning (like knock, knock, knock...) and stops once the turn is complete. It has not done it during any other times except turns. It reminds me of a boat creaking against a dock, though someone else says it sounds more like someone knocking on a door and opening it. But it does not do it every time. I have yet to determine when it will or won't creak other than it used to only be during really hot days. It does not do it while going over bumps or anything like that. It shudders about 85% of the time just as you hit 50 - 55 and then stops and seems to be fine until I need to slow down from 55 and it will briefly shudder again until I've slowed to about 40 mph. There does not seem to be any problem when the car shifts weight.

knocking check your cv joints creeking could be breaks or wheel beering just guessing havent heard it.