Need Help Diagnosing Noise! Also, VERY Stiff Steering!

Alright, here's the story. I have a '97 GL sedan, Vulcan, 131k miles on the clock. When I got the car I had the balljoints replaced, some other minor work done. I was told initially that I needed a tie-rod end on the passenger side, but then another mechanic inspected it and told me it was fine. Well, I noticed shortly after I had new tires installed that when I turn to go right I could hear this strange noise coming from that wheel. I had a cheap alignment done (laser-guided manual job, not computer-controlled) and the car drove straight down the road for about a quarter mile without needing adjustment (based on how flat and straight the road is -- lots of curves around here), but the steering wheel didn't sit straight. Still doesn't, in fact.

But to the meat of the matter.

This noise only occurs when I make a turn to the right. Ever take a turn too sharp and you get that "whump whump whump whumpwhumpwhump" sound from the tires as you speed up? It sounds very similar to that, only far more intrusive and worrisome. I get it whenever I turn the wheel to the right, however slight the curve is. Turning to the left it's virtually silent, even if I have it cranked all the way and am taking a sharp curve.

I also have a sqeak coming from the wheel wells whenever I turn the wheel in either direction and the power steering stiffens up like mad (and I mean waaaaaaaay too much) at any speed above about 15mph, but more on that later.

Well, today I hit a nasty bump at too-high a speed while turning into a parking lot (yay for idiots in big pickups who drive up your tailpipe) and now the right wheel seems to sit a bit out of alignment and the noise is worse. I think the tie-rod end or something has finally given up the ghost. I jacked it up and there was a bit of play when I wiggled the wheel. When I tried it on the other side there was a touch less play and the steering seemed to move with it. I'm 99.9% sure I need an alignment now (or at least to get it checked), but I also want to get whatever else I need fixed at the same time so I'm not running back and forth and killing my tires -- which have had no abnormal wear over the last 4k miles since I had them installed. Should I just call the shop? Anything I'm missing? Thanks!

Okay, on to the other matter. The power steering stiffening problem has been annoying since I got the car but hasn't been a big problem. The squeak, however, has been making people uncomfortable to ride in the car with me and since I recently have been giving lots of people rides I need to get it addressed ASAP. On my '94 Taurus, which I just sold, the power steering fluid used to "whirlpool" when the engine was running. On this beast it doesn't. The first thought on the power steering was that I had a plugged line. I was thinking maybe it's just the filter, but I don't know anymore. Any suggestions? I'm looking this list over and thinking that my $800 baby that I have less than $500 in parts and labor in (not counting the tires) is about to cost me what's left of the $500 I got for my other car.... if not more. Help?

Thanks a lot in advance, guys.:smokin:

Your description of the noise on turns sounds an awfully lot like a bad wheel bearing. You may be able to find just the bearing and hub assembly to replace it, or you may need to replace the entire steering knuckle. If you are pretty sure it is not a wheel bearing issue, then consider the outer CV joint, but if it were a CV joint, I'd expect you to notice it on turns in either direction. Also, I suppose the first place to start would be to rotate the tires to make sure it's not a separated belt issue.

My first suspect on the squeak would be either a ball joint or outer tie rod end that is dry. The way I diagnose these is to insert a small pick through the rubber dust boot, then insert the straw of my can of white lithium grease through the hole fromt he pick and give it a quick squirt. I then work the steering and suspension. Almost immediately the noise will change or go away completely. That's when I know I found the right part. The squirt of grease is just a temporary fix though, so when you find the noisy part, replace it for a long term fix.

I don't know if your GL would have the Variable Assist Power Steering (VAPS) or not. If it does, you may have an issue with that, or maybe you have a speed sensor that is a bit out of calibration and thinks the car is going about 30 mph faster than you really are. I would expect other concerns if the speed sensor is the issue though.

-Rod

It does sound as if you have a bad wheel bearing. The way to check this is to jack up the wheel, and see if you have movement from top to bottom. Get hold of the top and bottom of the wheel, and see if it moves. if it does, the wheel bearing is bad.

It does sound as if you have a bad wheel bearing. The way to check this is to jack up the wheel, and see if you have movement from top to bottom. Get hold of the top and bottom of the wheel, and see if it moves. if it does, the wheel bearing is bad.

If you get play in this direction, make sure that the play is not from the ball joint. If there appears to be play in the ball joint, then I'd suggest you replace the steering knuckle with a new one since that will come with a new ball joint as well as a new wheel bearing and hub assembly.

-Rod

Thanks, guys! I'm going to get on top of that ASAP, at least what I can do at home. I drove it today and the noise reminded me very much of a tire that'd thrown a weight (need a rotation anyway), and I hope it's not a separated belt as I bought the tires new and installed them on the car about 4k miles ago. As for the power steering, I'm thinking I'll ask the local Ford dealership what they think.

Probably tomorrow I'll get a chance to jack the car up and check to see if the bearing has any play. I hope one of the ball joints isn't bad, they have about 5k miles on them on both sides.

Okay, quick update -- I got the tires rotated and rebalanced and the vibration went away but the noise didn't. Now that I listen to it it sounds a lot like a failing bearing, but I'm going to get a second opinion before having the one I'm going to pick up today installed. If it's not going to solve the problem, why spend the money, right? :grinyes:

If that's not the problem, we'll see what is by way of the other suggestions. Thanks guys!

Okay, now I'm really, really embarassed...

I'm pretty sure it's the wheel bearing even though I got told today that because of the clunk I get from the right going over bumps that it's the struts (which I thought was a worn-out bushing). If it were the struts, why does it only happen during turns?

Any idea which side it would be? There's no play in either side except a tiny bit from the inner tie-rod end on the driver's side and I can't tell which side the sound is coming from when I turn the wheel. Since it's only there when I turn to the right, wouldn't that be the side with the bad bearing? I really hope I can get this figured out tonight becuase I have a guy willing to do it tomorrow for next to nothing, but only on the one bearing and if I can't get it installed then I have to pay full shop rate. Thanks in advance!

If the noise is only present during right hand turns, I would suspect the left (driver's side in US) wheel bearing. During a right and turn, the left hand front wheel is taking the bulk of the load and the right front wheel bearing somewhat unloads.

-Rod

Thanks, Rod! I'm off to get it done in a few. Wish me luck!

Good luck, and don't hold it against me if I was wrong. :uhoh:

-Rod

Stupid distractions. I could have sworn I replied to this weeks ago. You were spot on, Rod! The swap went without a hitch and faster than the mechanic had ever seen before in a FWD car. There was a slight catch in it -- total failure wouldn't have taken too much longer. As one of the guys there said; "There's nothing more beautiful than changing the right part."

The power steering is still wonky but I don't know if I'll ever get that figured out. I had it suggested to me that a bad hose could be the culprit but I'm not sure if I can even diagnose that correctly.

So, anyway, I'll keep on trying to figure it out. Many thanks!