How to Diagnose Steering Wheel Noises

English: Photoworks Rendering of a Banjo Steer...
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Among the many parts and components of your vehicle, the steering wheel is probably one of the most important. The steering wheel gives you direction and gets you from Point A to Point B. When the steering wheel ceases to function, you may not only get very far but you may also face danger on the road. So it’s important to detect problems in their early stages. You can often find out more about the steering wheel’s condition by the noises it produces. Click here and read on for finding out more on what certain steering wheel noises can mean.

General Tips

To assess the condition, you should first get behind the wheel. Turn the key in the ignition. Turn the steering wheel and listen for the noise to come up. It may emit a sound when you’re starting to turn the wheel, when you’ve turned the wheel completely, both times, or at all times. If you don’t hear a noise when it’s stationary, take the car out of the garage and drive it around, steering. Listen for any sounds then. You should determine what kind of noise it’s making so you can report it to the mechanic. See if it’s creaking, grinding, squealing, groaning, whining, screeching, or clunking along.

Creaking in Power Steering

Sometimes when you have power steering, your wheel will make an unnatural creaking noise. Don’t ignore this; your car requires attention. Your first task is to look at the reservoir of the power steering system. Unscrew the cap and look at the dipstick underneath to identify fluid levels. For levels below the minimum, put in more power steering fluid. Do not perform this task under any other circumstances. Note: The fluid does not empty so it’s rare to have to do this. Yet if you’re replacing it more than twice a year, this may indicate you need a mechanic’s care before you have to pay a lot of money for pump replacement. If you notice that the wheel creaks when you turn it completely to one side, the power steering belt should be inspected by a mechanic. Replacement is frequently needed for old parts; newer belts simply need tightening or another adjustment.

Grinding

The grinding noise is also something not to be trifled with. Again, the source of the issue may be low levels of power steering fluid. Maybe there is air trapped in the power steering system due to recent repairs or leaking. Perhaps the power steering belt is loose or worn.

The problem may not relate to power steering. If your wheel bearings are worn, the steering wheel may grind when the car is in motion. You should check out the wheel bearings immediately and replace them. Results of failure may include the loss of the whole wheel or loss of control in steering. Keep in mind that worn bearings are rare. The tie rod ends and other steering parts may be worn and cause the grinding. CV joints and brake rotors can be worn and will cause the grinding when the car moves.

Car Maintenance Tips To Get Your Car Ready for Spring

Spring has finally arrived. Spring is many people’s favorite season because of the fresh new flowers, spring breezes, and warm air.

When spring arrives, it feels like the whole world can breathe again. Animals wake up from hibernation, and people come out of their homes.

When spring arrives, there are many changes that need to be made in many areas of people’s lives. One of the most important things you can do when spring arrives is to get your car ready.

Many people do a kind of “spring cleaning” for their car so that it is kept well-maintained and in good working order. This is a great thing to do because the more well-maintained you keep your car, the better gas mileage you will get.

Your car will thank you if you do a check-up on it in the springtime. Here are some car maintenance tips to follow when doing spring cleaning for your vehicle.

One of the most important things you can do for your car is get the alignment checked. Many winter conditions, like driving on snow or ice, can knock your car out of alignment.

If you have trouble turning the steering wheel, or you feel like your car has a mind of its own, getting the alignment checked would be a good idea. This will make your driving experience much smoother or more enjoyable.

Another great thing you can do is get your tires checked. Keeping your tires at the right pressure will help extend the life of your tires, as well as help you get better gas mileage.

You can check your tires yourself with a tire gauge, or you can get them checked by a mechanic. Checking them yourself will be cheaper, but a mechanic will also be able to check for bent rims and tires.

Spring is also a great time to check your brakes. Brakes wear out over time, so getting them checked often is imperative. Brakes are very important for safety, so that is another great reason to get them checked.

Another thing you can do for your car during spring is get the oil changed. Even if you do not think you are due for an oil change, you should at least get your car looked at to see if you need an oil change. Keeping the oil in your car fresh and new will help your car to run smoothly and last longer. This is also something that you can do yourself if you have the proper oil change equipment.

Something that many people forget in the springtime is their windshield wiper blades. Windshield wiper blades can wear out easily wiping snow and rain off your windshield during the winter. Get your blades replaced so that they are more effective at keeping your windshield clear.

Something else that people often forget, while going through their car care tips, is to get their car washed in the spring. Sometimes it may seem like an unnecessary expense, but getting your car washed helps keep it nice and will help it to last longer.