Steering squeeks when turning wheel left

[luapsided]

97 Grand AM 3.1

Recent work. Installed a ready strut and front end alignment.

I had a transmission put in and soon after I noticed a clunking noise from the front left of the car when I would hit certain bumps. Thought it was the front strut and it did quite down for a bit after I changed it, but then gradually started getting worse again as a few days passed.
Now when I turn the wheel to the left, there is a squeek, squeal or not really sure how to describe but it doesn't sound too great. I have a couple pictures and will put them up tomorrow of the front suspension with the wheel off. I did notice some grease that maybe came from one of the two boots that are involved when steering on the front left wheel, but no idea if this would be the problem. I just thought I'd get this out there in case the problem is easily identifyable. I did some searching on this forum but never saw any clear answers. The boot on the left is where I noticed the grease. Thaks for any help!

[xeroinfinity]

Did you replace both front struts ?
These should be replaced in pairs like brake pads/rotors/wheel bearing etc. So you still hear clunking ?

You sure the noise isnt from turning the steering sheel to hard and making your power steering squal ? If the cars making the noise when in park or not moving, Id' say its your power steering system.
Check your hoses and lines for leaks.

The grease is most likly just from someone over greasing the fitting, not a big deal realy. Just wipe of excess if its bothersome.

[luapsided]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

Did you replace both front struts ?
These should be replaced in pairs like brake pads/rotors/wheel bearing etc. So you still hear clunking ?

You sure the noise isnt from turning the steering sheel to hard and making your power steering squal ? If the cars making the noise when in park or not moving, Id' say its your power steering system.
Check your hoses and lines for leaks.

The grease is most likly just from someone over greasing the fitting, not a big deal realy. Just wipe of excess if its bothersome.

Yes I was aware of replacing both at once, however I have read that doing just one isn't the worst thing in the world and people do do it. Anyways.
I jacked my car up and turned the wheel to the left. Being that there is no friction there was no screeching. It Sounds like a car door that hasn't had some WD40 in a long long time. But as soon as I put the car down, when I turn the wheel to the left, the front left makes this noise. I do plan on taking it in but I just wanted a heads up of what it could be. Did a couple youtube searches and it almost sounds just like this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOUs7pHzSI0 Not quite the same, but close. Thats all I got!

[xeroinfinity]

If it sounds like that video I'd say either the ball joints/tie rods need greased.
If that doesnt quiet/fix it, then one of those suspension/steering parts could be damaged.

But by just replacing the one strut, it forces more wieght to the other side, putting it under more stress and could make the issue(s) worse.

[3100]

the best way to find what is making noise is to secure it on jack stands and tell someone to turn the steering wheel in each direction while you are watching moving parts. Then when you find place from which noise is coming from touch each component the one that makes most vibrations is the bad part.

[rtobrian]

I would definitely replace the other strut. I bought my sensa trac quick strut assemblies on amazon believe it or not it was much cheaper than any store including shipping. Next, I would grease everything up and throw on new sway bar end links followed by an alignment. Maybe your tire is rubbing on something, you wont see that when the car is jacked up. Do you have the stock rims, tires, and springs on the car? Next time you jack up the car, try moving the tire side to side and up and down to see if there's any play in the ball joint/tie rod. Also make sure that the lug nuts are torqued down to 100ft lbs. Flushing the power steering system wouldn't hurt either. And lastly, if everything else fails, don't turn left anymore. lol