Thread: Steering wheel noise when turning

Ok this just started, when I turn the wheel I get a whrul whurl noise and only when turning... it sounds like rough vinyl rubbing together.. it is not coming from the steering pump, the pump has been replaced and it is still there.

I'm also getting a similar noise although much quieter when stopping once you get to about 4 MPH then let it roll stop you can hear a similar noise outside coming from the front wheels like vinyl rubbing.. the noise stops when you get stopped, you can hear it as you speed up to about 5MPH then after that the noise is gone...


what in the world would make a noise like this in two different places? the wheel is concerning me the most... I've already had the rack/steering gear replaced once when the car was new for GRRRRR like noises when turning... the steering pump has been replaced twice now (i don't think it needed to be either time but they always say they are sure that is the problem, so far it hasn't fixed it)

Might be a wheel bearing starting to go. Jack up the front and and push/pull on the tire at the 12 and 6 o'clock position. If you have play, then bearing it is. Have you replaced the brakes recently?

Originally Posted by FordMan77

Might be a wheel bearing starting to go. Jack up the front and and push/pull on the tire at the 12 and 6 o'clock position. If you have play, then bearing it is. Have you replaced the brakes recently?

actually yes I did replace the front pads a few months ago

Might wanna take a video of the noise so we can get a better idea

was going to record it tonight, but phone battery died so have to wait... but as I turn the wheel it sound exactly like the sound you get when you pull a seat belt out... that whrillll noise... it does not sound like a bad pump, it sounds like the noise is coming from inside the wheel I can't hear anything from the engine bay when the wheel is turned

That definitely sounds like a bearing. Whenever you're driving, does the noise go away when you switch lanes or pull a certain direction? Also does the noise increase as you increase speed?

I really only notice the noise at lower speeds.. say 20mph or below, above that nothing

I'm going to add to this a bit since I still haven't figured it out... and the mechanics keep replacing parts that aren't fixing the issue... still...


I noticed that it only makes this vinyl rubbing noise when turning to the left while moving... at the same speed turning to the right no noise, make another left noise again... its like a shurllll shurllll shurlllll noise... it's definitely not coming from the steering pump... after replacing that again I know it's not the pump because its still the same noise