Power steering issue?

[illinifrever]

Alright, so i've got a 96 Talon. Recently, when I start rolling back out of my driveway (on an incline). I start hearing a loud squeaking noise, which i think is coming from my front right wheel well. Same thing when i'm in reverse. It sounds like i'm trying to drive with the e-brake partially engaged, but it's clearly not. My friend, who's a mechanic, thinks that it's the power steering. I'm skeptical though. Everything seems to be running alright and i'm not having any issues driving, the noise is just really loud and annoying. Any ideas or help would be appreciated.

 

[talonDSMerr]

Power steering is on the front driver's side. An easy way to tell if it is the PS or not, is when you're not moving, with the car idling, turn the steering wheel. If you start hearing the squeaking noise, it's the power steering.

At idle, with the steering wheel centered, there is no load on the power steering.

 

[illinifrever]

Power steering is on the front driver's side. An easy way to tell if it is the PS or not, is when you're not moving, with the car idling, turn the steering wheel. If you start hearing the squeaking noise, it's the power steering.

At idle, with the steering wheel centered, there is no load on the power steering.

It's not PS. Just did it and didn't hear a thing. It still started whining when I put down the e-brake and rolled down my driveway though. It only makes the noise in reverse. I put it up on a lift the other day and me and my friend checked out the brakes just in case. They look fine as well.

 

[GOT-AWD]

..............did you spin the wheel while it was on the lift? possibly a wheel bearing going bad? they have been known to make some horrible noises!

 

[illinifrever]

..............did you spin the wheel while it was on the lift? possibly a wheel bearing going bad? they have been known to make some horrible noises!

No, I didn't spin it while it was on the lift, probably a good idea in hindsight . A bad bearing has been on my short list of potential problems. I'll probably bring it by the shop in the next day or so and throw it back up again. Theoretically, if it is a bearing, anybody have a guesstimate on how much that will cost me to fix/will it be very hard for me and some friends to fix on our own?

 

[dannyd97gst]

If you car is an automatic, the front pump in the transmission can make a whining sound similar to a p/s whine (usually when worn out or loss of prime). Can't find any info on you profile, a/t or m/t. Also I noticed that you're in the "Rust Belt" so anything is possible. We all will need more info inorder to help or give you some ideas.

Noise only in reverse, only first thing in the am or when cold, only with the wheels straight or when turning right or left, etc?

 

[illinifrever]

If you car is an automatic, the front pump in the transmission can make a whining sound similar to a p/s whine (usually when worn out or loss of prime). Can't find any info on you profile, a/t or m/t. Also I noticed that you're in the "Rust Belt" so anything is possible. We all will need more info inorder to help or give you some ideas.

Noise only in reverse, only first thing in the am or when cold, only with the wheels straight or when turning right or left, etc?

The car was a California car for it's entire life until August when I bought it. This past winter was it's first legit winter and probably it's first encounter with below freezing temps and snow.

It's a manual tranny. Clutch probably has about 18k on it. I hear the noise when the wheels are straight and turned. I can't say this for sure, but I generally only hear it when i'm in reverse or going backwards, shortly after starting the car. I've only been hearing it for the last two weeks or so. It's been anywhere between 30-65 degrees here since then, so I don't think it's weather specific.

Just let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[Defiant]

Search "harmonic balancer".

 

[illinifrever]

Great, more problems. Along with the usual noise backing out of my driveway this morning, I was on the highway and I started hearing a knocking noise coming from my front right wheel well. It's been pouring here all day so I haven't gone out to check on it yet, but I thought a helicopter was flying over me it was so loud. I figure it could be a rotor or a wheel bearing. Any thoughts?

 

[dannyd97gst]

If you hear a noise like that on the highway and in the rain that's a bad noise.
Rotational noise that increases with speed?
Sounds like a wheel bearing to me, just make sure you don't have a badly chopped up tire as they will make noises too. Most of the time when a wheel bearing is noisey the noise will get worse when driving through a corner at a decent speed with the questionable bearing absorbing the majority of the load. For example a right front wheel bearing would usually get louder when turning to the left. In diagnosing a noise like you explained on the highway it is best to get on a low traffic road and safely swerve to the left and right, your noise should worsen as you swerve left. Be safe and keep us updated

 

[dannyd97gst]

If you have a way to rasie the vehicle you can try this.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

1. To inspect bearing endplay, proceed as follows:
a. Place hub in suitable vise, protected by wood blocks.
b. Place dial gauge against hub surface, then move hub in axial direction.
c. If endplay exceeds 0.002 inch, use special wheel bearing installer tool No. MB990998 , or equivalent, to tighten bearing. Torque special tool to 145-188 ft. lbs.

2. Replace hub bearing unit if adjustment cannot be made to within limit.

Or just replace the bearing if it is bad.

 

[illinifrever]

Got tires 3 days ago, so it's definitely a bearing. I'm putting it up on the lift tomorrow so me and my friend will have a better idea once we get underneath it. I'll update when I know more. I'm still not sure about the whining noise going in reverse though. Would that be a result of the bearing too?

 

[dannyd97gst]

Never heard a wheel bearing make a whinning noise. You got me on that one.

 

[illinifrever]

Assuming it is a bearing, how long will I be safe driving on it? I'm car knowledgeable, but not really mechanically inclined, so i'll probably take it into a shop, which I won't be able to do until next week. The noise when i'm in gear just started today.

 

[dannyd97gst]

Assuming it is a wheel bearing still. There is always the possibility that it could lock up or seperate, either of the 2 would suck at 65mph. I had a left rear wheel bearing lock up on an old 93 Sundance of mine, lucky enough I was on a gravel road close to my house. One of the needle bearings turned sideways in between the inner and outer race. It was like dominoes falling down the first one went sideways and the rest followed. Just be careful