Is your car making a squeaking noise when turning at low speeds, and you don’t know the cause? Any strange noise while driving is bad news for you and your vehicle. It may indicate serious issues with the power steering, suspension, or braking system.
If you hear a squeaking noise from your car, turn off the engine and fix the root problem. But first, you must identify the source of this strange noise. In most cases, your car will squeak when turning at low speeds due to defects in the power steering system. Other possible culprits include suspension issues and a failing braking system.
Here is why your car squeaks when turning at low speeds. I’ll also provide effective solutions to each problem.
Answer: Reasons Your Car Squeaks When Turning at Low Speeds
Your auto squeaks when turning due to the following:
- Low power steering fluid level
- Damaged power steering belt
- Faulty steering column
- Defects in the suspension system
- Bad CV joints
- Worn brake pads
- Damaged wheel bearings
Low Power Steering Fluid Level
The power steering system is the first component to check when your car makes a squeaking noise. If the power steering fluid level is low, your vehicle will squeak when turning at low speeds.
The steering fluid powers and lubricates the system. Low steering fluid level causes parts within the power steering to rub against each other and produce strange noises. Additionally, improperly lubricated parts wear out quickly and cause the system to overheat.
Check for a low fluid level in the reservoir and refill if necessary.
Over time, the power steering fluid gets old or contaminated and loses its ability to lubricate parts. So, when checking the fluid level, ensure it’s not old, dirty, or contaminated. If so, replace it with fresh power steering fluid.
If the fluid level goes down than expected, the power steering system might have leakages. In this case, take your car to a certified mechanic to fix the leaking parts.
Damaged Power Steering Belt
The power steering belt transfers engine power to the steering pump. It’s a critical part of the power steering system that allows the steering wheel to be turned effortlessly.
With time, this belt wears out due to excessive use and causes a squeaking noise when turning. Besides, this belt can become loose, cracked, or damaged and cause strange noise, among other issues. The noise usually resembles a screech or squeak and is more prominent when turning at low speeds.
If you suspect that the power steering belt is to blame, locate it with the help of your vehicle’s manual. Inspect the belt to see if it’s loose, worn, or damaged. If the belt is loose, make some adjustments to tighten it. Replace the power steering belt if it looks worn, cracked, or damaged.
Faulty Steering Column
A faulty steering column can also cause squeaking noise when turning at low speeds. The steering column joins the steering wheel to other steering components. It’s responsible for transmitting power between the steering wheel and the gear.
In normal operations, the steering column should allow the steering wheel to move freely. But like many other power steering components, the steering column doesn’t last a lifetime. Parts in the column may become loose and cause excessive play in the steering wheel.
Dirt and debris accumulating in the steering column housing can cause difficulties turning the wheel. Moreover, the steering column can bend over time and cause parts to rub against each other. If your steering column has one or all of these issues, you may hear a squeaking noise when turning.
The best way to resolve this issue is to repair or replace the faulty steering column. A professional will disassemble the steering column, examine it, and fix the problem.
Defects in the Suspension System
Your vehicle’s suspension system plays a significant role when turning or navigating rugged terrains. The suspension must be in good condition to ensure smooth rides despite the driving conditions. If parts in the suspension wear out, you may experience bumpy rides and squeaking noise.
Suspension parts that are likely to wear out and cause strange noise include ball joints, tie-rod ends, and u-joints. When these parts wear out, they may result in steering wheel vibrations in addition to the squeaking noise.
Allow a professional to examine and replace the ball joints, tie-rod ends, and u-joints if they look worn or damaged.
Lubrication issues in the suspension system could also be to blame. Insufficient lubricant can cause parts to rub against each other and make a squeaky noise when turning. A professional should check for insufficient lubricant and lubricate the suspension if necessary.
Bad CV Joints
The CV (Constant Velocity) joints connect the drive shafts to the wheels and the transmission. You’ll find these joints at the ends of your vehicle’s drive shafts. They transfer power from the transmission to the wheels. This allows for continuous rotation of wheels when you press the gas pedal.
Besides transferring power to the wheels, the CV joints absorb shocks and vibrations while driving. They minimize the vibration of the chassis when tackling bumpy or rugged roads.
Over time, the CV joints wear out due to their work and location. Worn or damaged CV joints can cause a squeaking noise when turning at low speeds. If you have a broken CV joint, your car won’t move even after pressing the gas pedal.
When fixing the CV joints, check for insufficient lubricant. Lack of lubrication will cause the CV joint to wear out and make a strange noise when turning. You can apply a suitable CV joint grease to lubricate the joints for a long time.
Replace the worn or damaged CV joints if the Squeaking noise persists after lubrication. CV joint replacement is a standard maintenance service for cars with over 300K miles.
Worn Brake Pads
Brake pads squeeze the rotor when you apply brakes to slow down or stop your car. Over time, brake pads wear out and expose the metal part to the rotors while braking. This may result in a squeaking noise when engaging the brakes. You may notice this strange noise when turning at low speeds.
Brake pads last between 20,000 and 70,000 miles. However, the pads can wear out sooner than that due to the vehicle’s weight, driving style, and driving conditions. If the brake pads wear out, they can damage the rotors, leading to costly repairs.
Besides the squeaking noise, worn brake pads can cause excessive vibration when braking. The loss of grip on the rotors means the brakes won’t respond as expected.
If the strange noise stems from the worn braking system, examine and replace the worn brake pads. You should also inspect the rotors for signs of damage and replace them if necessary.
Damaged Wheel Bearings
Worn or damaged wheel bearings could be why your car squeaks when turning at low speeds. These bearings are crucial parts of your car’s wheel assembly, connecting the wheels and the axles. The bearings ensure a smooth rotation of the wheels while driving.
Wheel bearings can wear out and cause a squeaking, chirping, or growling noise. Generally, a wheel bearing’s lifespan is around 85,000 to 100,000 miles.
In most cases, a worn wheel bearing will make a squeaking noise at higher speeds. However, it’s possible for a worn wheel bearing to squeak when turning at low speeds.
If you suspect the wheel bearings are to blame, remove the old bearings and install new ones. Allowing a professional mechanic to examine the bearings and fix them is advisable. The mechanic will also address issues causing the wheel bearings to wear out fast.
Wrapping Up
Squeaking noise when turning at low speeds may indicate several issues with the steering, suspension, or braking system. If you hear this strange noise, identify the root problem and fix it as soon as possible. Failure to address this problem can cause loss of control, difficulties turning, and unresponsive braking.
If you find the squeaking noise daunting to fix at home, take your car to a certified auto repair shop. A professional mechanic will inspect your vehicle and fix the root problem.