Creeking Sound When Turning Wheel?

dunndarryn

dunndarryn

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Hey guys, just now when I was turning into my parking spot at home, I heard a bit of a creeking sound coming from the front end? When I put the car in park, I turned the wheel left to right a few times, and didn't hear it? Is this just because my car is 12 years old or does something down there need some attention?

Also, I think I'm realizing when I'm braking, I get a bit of a "leap" from my car. Not sure how to explain it. Almost as if I had a bubble in my tire, but not nearly as dramatic. I don't feel it when I'm in motion but only when I'm stopping doing like 2 MPH up to a stop light for a moment. Any ideas?


2000 LS V8
 
For the sound, inspect the suspension, paying particular attention to the parts that move when you turn the steering wheel. I'd put some priority to being sure the ball joints are okay.

The "leap" may just be that you aren't familiar with the feeling from the transmission when it unlocks the torque converter or shifts. Put it in neutral then brake. If the "leap" goes away, then this is all that it is.
 
joegr said:
For the sound, inspect the suspension, paying particular attention to the parts that move when you turn the steering wheel. I'd put some priority to being sure the ball joints are okay.
Click to expand...

Last time I had a ball joint issue when I was on the interstate, I felt like I had very little control and that the car was going to fall apart. I don't feel that currently, so could it still hold true that my ball joints could be bad?

Should I urgently take it to a mechanic before continuing to drive? I drive 40 miles a day to and from work, so I'm always paranoid when I hear something or feel something out of the ordinary, haha.
 
Most of us like to catch ball joint problems before they get nearly that bad.

If everything feels okay, then it should be safe to drive for a few days till you are sure.
 
joegr said:
Most of us like to catch ball joint problems before they get nearly that bad.

If everything feels okay, then it should be safe to drive for a few days till you are sure.
Click to expand...

Yes, I don't want it to get that bad ever again lol. At that time, I wasn't the one driving the car everyday so it took me by surprise.

Everything feels okay, but I did hear that creek today, and I do get light vibration while driving, at times.
 
When my car had a creaking sound while parking, it was an upper ball joint (pass. front). Sounded like it was going to break at any moment. Nerve wrecking!

That leap, is it a consistent leap until you stop? If so, that could be related to your front brakes issue.
 
dNyce LS said:
When my car had a creaking sound while parking, it was an upper ball joint (pass. front). Sounded like it was going to break at any moment. Nerve wrecking!

That leap, is it a consistent leap until you stop? If so, that could be related to your front brakes issue.
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My creak wasn't consistent or loud and obnoxious. But I felt like I heard it some when I was stopping at the light before turning down the road I live on, so I turned down the radio to listen more closely. Then I heard it creak like 2 times while pulling into my parking spot.

For the leap, I'm not sure, I'll have to examine further. I was more concerned with the creak at the time.
 
I would check the ball joints immediately. My wife's LS had a bad ball joint and we drove it back from where we bought it (almost 100miles) and it was fine. When I checked the ball joints it was bad and when I went to change it, it fell apart! The groaning noise could also be from the steering shaft as we have a few members with that issue. See if you can get someone to listen and see where the noise is coming from.
 
agree, creaking may be intermediate shaft u-joints. just had a thread on that.

torque converter used to leap on mine. bad coils/dirty maf/incorrect fuel come to mind as culprits. disconnect battery to clear tranny spec if it doesnt go away or gets dangerous
 
jrand said:
agree, creaking may be intermediate shaft u-joints. just had a thread on that.

torque converter used to leap on mine. bad coils/dirty maf/incorrect fuel come to mind as culprits. disconnect battery to clear tranny spec if it doesnt go away or gets dangerous
Click to expand...

I read this post: http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=84809

At the time I was turning into my spot, it wasn't difficult to turn the wheel as if no power steering, just heard the creaks. I also get vibration while driving. So I'm a bit confused :confused:
 
dunndarryn said:
I read this post: http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=84809

At the time I was turning into my spot, it wasn't difficult to turn the wheel as if no power steering, just heard the creaks. I also get vibration while driving. So I'm a bit confused :confused:
Click to expand...

I assumed that you heard the sound coming from the front of the car. If it's the intermediate shaft, (normally) you'll think the sound is coming from inside the car, from the steering column.
 
joegr said:
I assumed that you heard the sound coming from the front of the car. If it's the intermediate shaft, (normally) you'll think the sound is coming from inside the car, from the steering column.
Click to expand...

The sound was definitely coming from the front end, yes.
 
I'm taking everyone's advise and just made an appointment to replace my entire front end control arm before driving my car any further.

Is the light creaking and vibration while driving tell-tales of a ball joint problem before I pay big bucks to get this fixed? Thanks for the help guys!
 
Yeah I actually just heard this today too. It was EXTREMELY faint. The only reason I heard it was because I was in my schools parking garage amd that makes everything 10x louder. I'm actually still trying to figure out if its the breaks or what because I cant seem to recreate the noise... It sounded almost like a rusty hinge and happened when I was going SUPER slow with the wheel slightly turned. It might have happened again after the gym but I might just be paranoid now (it was super quiet). Sound about right dun? Lemme know what ya hear from your mechanic
 
Stopsign002 said:
Yeah I actually just heard this today too. It was EXTREMELY faint. The only reason I heard it was because I was in my schools parking garage amd that makes everything 10x louder. I'm actually still trying to figure out if its the breaks or what because I cant seem to recreate the noise... It sounded almost like a rusty hinge and happened when I was going SUPER slow with the wheel slightly turned. It might have happened again after the gym but I might just be paranoid now (it was super quiet). Sound about right dun? Lemme know what ya hear from your mechanic
Click to expand...

I know mine wasn't the brakes for sure, sounds coming from the brakes are usually pretty identifiable. Do you get a thud or anything when you hit bumps? Also do you get vibration while driving? If you do, get it checked immediately. The first time I had a ball joint problem, my entire car fell on my tire while in a parking lot. It can be dangerous, that's why I'm getting this looked at immediately.
 
No nothing like that. The only thing I was hearing the slight 'rusty hinge' sound then nothing from then. This is also the first time I've had my LS in slush conditions so there is that too I suppose...
 
Best way to test if its a ball joint issue is to inspect the boots on the ball joint itself. I also had a similar experience with my ball joint, first it only was heard once in a while and eventually got louder until it was embarrassing to even go through a drive thru at mcdonads. You'll also hear creaking sounds when going over a speedbump. Example is this: Ball Joint Squeak - YouTube Dead giveaway of bad ball joints. If this is what you're experiencing, I have a write up somewhere on the forums. Will post back later with the link.
 
fudge12 said:
Best way to test if its a ball joint issue is to inspect the boots on the ball joint itself. I also had a similar experience with my ball joint, first it only was heard once in a while and eventually got louder until it was embarrassing to even go through a drive thru at mcdonads. You'll also hear creaking sounds when going over a speedbump. Example is this: Ball Joint Squeak - YouTube Dead giveaway of bad ball joints.
Click to expand...

Mine sounded nothing like that except at 0:33, that "creak noise" is what I hear but only like a *creak, creak* and that was it.

Over bumps I get like a thud, but I was told that's my sway bar links, so I have those that should be here in a day or 2.
 
Ball joints can go bad without making noise and with the boots being fine. You must check for play. Depending on the upper or lower the process is different. Also if you don't know what you're looking for it might not be obvious. Any play means you need to change them.
 
Hmm, not what mine sounded like at all. Wtf... Ill try some youtube searching and see if I can figure it out. Mine wasnt creaking, more of a rusty hinge type squeel? Oh, and my wheels have no play that I can find. Everything seems solid, hence my confusion (plus I've never heard that noise before). Is there anything visual I can check for? (yeah I'm a newb)
 
You need to put some (not all) weight on the lower control arm. Otherwise you might not see any play. Remember any play means it needs to be replaced. You might need a helper to move the wheel for you. Don't forget to check upper and lower. Also check the tie rod ends and the inner bushings on the control arms while you're there. In fact I would check everything, including the sway bar bushing and links.
 
Ball joint check on any vehicle. Jack vehicle so tire is just off ground. Grab tire @ 3 & 9 see if any movement. Do same @ 6 & 12. Any movement @ all = bad ball joints. Sway bar links usually go bad also. Just replaced both tie rods and all four sway bar links on wife's LS. Boots bad on ball joints but no movement, next project.
 
msgtusmc said:
Ball joint check on any vehicle. Jack vehicle so tire is just off ground. Grab tire @ 3 & 9 see if any movement. Do same @ 6 & 12. Any movement @ all = bad ball joints. Sway bar links usually go bad also. Just replaced both tie rods and all four sway bar links on wife's LS. Boots bad on ball joints but no movement, next project.
Click to expand...

Thanks, msgtusmc! I'm just going to get the front end control arm replaced and I also have sway bar links that should be arriving today.
 
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