Steering Wheel Noises

[Tourxwagon18]

I've been dealing with some odd noises coming out of my steering wheel over the last couple of months. About 3 weeks ago, I took it in to the dealer and they confirmed what I was hearing too.

Anytime I'd have to parallel park or basically anytime I'd be in driving under 5mph and had to turn the steering wheel, I'd hear some squeaking.

The dealer replaced the lower control arms and sent me on my way. However, it didn't fix it. I took my wagon back in last week and they confirmed that they heard the noise coming from where the steering column met the firewall. So they greased it up and sent me on my way.

But it's still there...

Has anyone else have this problem or know how to address this?

Thanks

 

[MelsRegal]

what did they grease, the universal joints in the steering shaft going to the rack and pinion?

 

[Tourxwagon18]

Great question. All they said was that they greased the area where the steering column meets with the firewall. I guess they thought that that was the area that was making noise. However, they didn't grease it enough or it's coming from somewhere else because I still hear it.

 

[94cruiser]

I have some noises at the last half turn of the steering wheel before full lock.

When I took the car in for the oil change I was dumbfounded as when I pulled in past the door to where the service writer is, the noise was gone.
They told me to let them know if it's still there after it warms up - I think we were in single digits at the time.

Can hear it from inside the cabin, but outside the engine noises are too loud to hear it.
When in the driver's view one can see one side of the car raise as the suspension articulates.
Thoughts?

 

[FavaBean]

I think it may be strut mounts. They'll make a creaking or groaning sound. There have been a few reports of strut mounts going bad on these cars.

@94cruiser I suspect when you pulled into the service bay, it stopped because the concrete floor is treated against staining and therefore less friction/force is put on the mechanical parts when turning the wheel. Put it back on regular pavement and cement, the noise returns.

FWIW- I've got the noise too and need to make an appointment with a dealer to address a slew of issues before warranty is up.

 

[toolmanAR]

The steering column in my Cadillac CTS wagon creaked and groaned from day one and nobody was ever able to fix it. Welcome to the GM family of quality vehicles!

 

[Wlepse]

My buddies SRT 300 occasionally has issues with a noise...not quite a squeak and not quite a groan but it is/was caused by a lack of lubrication on a boot that is supposed seal the shaft from the engine bay.

 

[JoeBlog]

My Pontiac G6 did that years ago. They greased the intermediate steering shaft and it went away. Of course, other steering gremlins showed up, but that problem went away.

 

[Tourxwagon18]

Man, sounds like it could be quite a few things then. It's never easy!

 

[94cruiser]

Now that the weather is warmer I'm no longer able to reproduce the creeking sound found in the last half steering wheel turn.

 

[Tourxwagon18]

Well that's lucky! It's still cold where I'm at. Hope it goes away but going to take to a different dealership to get a 2nd opinion. I'm still hearing the noise and it's really annoying.

 

[ChibiBlackSheep]

My Pontiac G6 did that years ago. They greased the intermediate steering shaft and it went away. Of course, other steering gremlins showed up, but that problem went away.

Very typical issue with all of my GM cars. I feel like I was constantly pulling that boot down from the firewall and spraying white lithium grease into the ISS. I do it frequently on my Monte Carlo, did it every other year on my old Impala, used to help my parents and do theirs...

 

[autocomman]

Now that the weather is warmer I'm no longer able to reproduce the creeking sound found in the last half steering wheel turn.

I have the same issue right now, sounds like the right side, the last half turn before lock. It's cold here, well for LA it's cold, second time I've heard it. First time it was cold as well