If you’ve been driving your car for a while and have started to notice a weird noise when turning the steering wheel, you’re not alone. Many drivers experience this issue at some point or another. In most cases, it’s nothing to worry about – it’s just a simple fix. In this blog post, we will discuss the causes of squeaking or whining when turning the steering wheel, as well as how to fix it!

Why Does the Steering Wheel Squeak or Whine?

There are a few different reasons why your steering wheel may start to squeak or whine. The most common reason is simply due to wear and tear on the parts of your car. Over time, the bearings in your steering column can become worn down, causing them to make noise when they rub against each other. Another common cause of noise from the steering wheel is due to a lack of lubrication. If the grease or oil that is meant to keep the bearings lubricated has worn away, they will start to grind against each other and make noise.

How Can I Fix It?

If you’re experiencing a noise when turning your steering wheel, there are a few things you can do yourself to try to fix the issue.

If the noise is being caused by wear and tear on the parts of your car…

You can try to lubricate the bearings. You can do this by applying a small amount of grease or oil to the bearing. Another way to lubricate the bearings is to pour a small amount of WD-40 into the joint where the steering column meets the wheel.

If the noise is being caused by a lack of lubrication…

You can try to add more lubricant to the joint. You can do this by applying a small amount of grease or oil to the bearing. Another way to add lubricant is to pour a small amount of WD-40 into the joint.

If you’ve tried both of these methods and the noise is still happening, it may be time to take your car in for repair. The bearings in your steering column may need to be replaced.

Understanding the Wheel Bearings

Wheel bearings are small metal balls held within small rings that are designed to reduce rolling friction and allow the car’s wheels to spin freely, all while sustaining the vehicle’s weight. A wheel bearing is located within the wheel hub, which connects the wheel to the axle. Each wheel has its own set of wheel bearings.

Signs Wheel Bearings Need Replaced

There are a few signs that it is the wheel bearings that need to be replaced. These signs include:

Humming Noise

The most easily identifiable and common symptom of bad wheel bearings is audible.

Squealing, Growling

The typical sounds of worn-out wheel bearings are squealing and/or growling. The sound intensifies as vehicle speed increases.

Clicking Sound

If you hear a clicking sound that increases in frequency as the vehicle accelerates, there could be a problem with the wheel hub assembly.

Wheel Wobble

Technicians can check for wheel wobble by putting the vehicle on a lift and manually checking for wheel movement. Normally, it would be impossible to shake the wheel and tire. However, if it moves, the hub assembly needs immediate attention.

ABS Failure

The anti-lock warning light may illuminate. If the ring, tire, and wheel wobble, the wheel’s speed sensor is no longer operating properly, and the ABS may operate sporadically or not at all.

Uneven Tire Wear

If one tire is wearing out faster than the others, it could be a sign that the wheel bearings are worn.

Vehicle Pulls to One Side

Worn bearings may cause a vehicle to pull to the left or right when brakes are applied.

Steering Wheel Vibration

Bad wheel bearings can cause the steering wheel to vibrate. The intensity increases as the vehicle speed increases and the vehicle turns to the left or right.

Steering Feels Loose

If there is excessive play in the steering, meaning the steering seems less responsive and less precise than normal, worn bearings could be causing the problem.

Stop the Squeaking with Scott’s Auto

Hopefully, this blog post has helped you understand the causes of noise when turning the steering wheel, and given you some ideas on how to fix it yourself. If you’re still experiencing problems, don’t hesitate to bring your car to one of our locations to have one of our professionals take a look!