If your car makes a strange noise when you turn the wheel, it’s not something to ignore. Unusual sounds during turns often signal a developing issue in your steering or suspension system. One of the most common causes is a power steering fluid leak. When fluid levels drop, the power steering pump can whine or groan—especially during low-speed turns. Below you can see the aftermath of a major Rack and Pinion Leak. The power steering pump was whining loudly at every turn.
Another frequent culprit is worn or loose suspension components. Items like ball joints, tie rod ends, and sway bar links can make clicking, popping, or clunking noises when they have too much play. If left unchecked, these parts can fail completely, creating unsafe driving conditions. At Priebe’s Auto Clinic we have special tools to help find the cause of the noises. Below is a photo of Chassis Ears a testing tool that allows us to hook sensor up to several parts of the car at the same time. We can then use a set of headphones to listen to each component as we test drive the vehicle. In this case one sensor is hooked directly to the control arm bolt and one to the steering knuckle.
You might also hear noise from worn shocks or struts, especially if the sound comes from just one corner of the vehicle. As shocks wear out, they can no longer dampen movement effectively, which may lead to creaking or knocking sounds when turning or going over bumps.
Other possible causes include low-quality tires, damaged CV axles, or misaligned steering components. The exact cause depends on the sound you’re hearing—whining, grinding, clicking, or thumping all point in different directions.
At Priebe’s Auto Clinic & Tire Center in Oklahoma City, our ASE-certified technicians will perform a full steering and suspension inspection to pinpoint the issue quickly and accurately. We don’t guess—we diagnose. Whether it’s a simple fluid top-off or a deeper mechanical issue, we’ll get you safely back on the road.
📞 Call us today at 405-523-2172
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