I get a creaking, cracking sound when turning the steering wheel. Seems to be more prevalent when at low speed such as backing out of the driveway or a parking spot when more effort is required to turn. The steering components on the front end seem to be pretty tight with no slop and it drives well except for the alignment, which is off slightly due to installation of new control arms and springs. Am I most likely looking at a bad steering column or something between the steering wheel and the steering box, as opposed to tie rod ends or center link?
Do you get the creaking noise when you do the old fashioned shock absorber test? It sounds like the springs may not be in their pockets.
No, the shock test is quiet. Besides, the sound pre-dates the suspension mods and I was very careful to get the springs seated in the pockets.
Double-check the rag joint or "steering coupler". It connects the steering shaft to the gearbox. My wife kept complaining of her car making noise when she turned,(1965 El Camino) and I didn't bother to investigate. Luckily, she was in a large parking lot when it finally let go. The rag joint had deteriorated and started flopping around, banging on the exhaust manifold and the frame rail. If it's even a little suspicious, replace it. -Josh
[FONT=Verdana,sans-serif]Anytime I've ever heard a humming noise when turning the steering wheel on any vehicle,It has always been due to low power steering fluid [/FONT]
Where is the sound coming from? Inside the car at the steering wheel, or outside the car in the front end somewhere? Could it be your control arm bushings? Did you put a little grease on them when you put them on with the new arms?
The noise preceded the new control arms. It sounds like it's coming from inside the car. I'm going over all the components this weekend to try and isolate the noise. I'll probably go ahead and replace the entire steering linkage anyway as it looks every bit of 47 years old.
