Sound when turning steering wheel

[BringBackDSM]

So, I have noticed a pretty loud kind of squeaking/creaking noise coming from my front passenger side tire. Its that sound that some springs/coilovers have when they go over bumbs if that makes sense, but it only does it when turning the steering wheel not when going over bumps. Also it seems to get quieter and go away the faster I go. any ideas?

 

[asexton6969]

Check your balljoints!

 

[BringBackDSM]

Ya, I have been reading since I posted. I searched the wrong thing before posting this thread. Ill be checking a bunch of stuff tomorrow. The noise has gotten louder and louder.

 

[asexton6969]

Basically just jack the car up. Shake the wheel side to side, Up and down. For the ball joints. Use one jack to jack up the car. Now use the other to hold one arm in place. Say your checking the control arm (curved arm) jack up slightly on the lateral arm (straight arm) now shake the wheel side to side and see if you have play. Now swtich it around and vise versa. Jack up on the control arm, and check the lateral arm.

NOTE: Depending how bad the movement is, when your shaking the tire side to side you might even be able to tell which one it is without isolating either arm. Also, there may not be any movement in the arms. Our balljoints are non serviceable, meaning there are no grease points on them. So if they are dry, time to replace any way.

Just thought of this, but have a friend slowly turn the wheel back and forth also. You should be able to tell what is squeaking.

 

[gdmbat85]

The ball joint on the lower straight control arm. That's where my money is.

 

[Project2G]

Yeah check your ball joints. Mine snapped a couple years back and I had my dsm sitting on pavement But I was able to slide a jack under and get a tow truck to take it to Mitsubishi since there is a recal on those. Mitsu replaced the part for free I just had to pay the towing fee.

 

[cool_g_83]

The ball joint on the lower straight control arm. That's where my money is.

I'm with you on this one

I had the same symptons as the OP described. Went to dealership to see if I could get them changed under warrenty and they said the lateral control arms have been replaced and that they couldn't fix them for free. They wanted to charge me ~$450 (lateral control arms are ~40-45 a piece and I would get both sides replaced). I said no, bought the parts and replaced them myself. It is a fairly straight forward procedure (3 nuts) and I did it by myself faster than the dealership had said it would take them (3 hours).

Closing thought, if it is your lateral control arm, replace BOTH SIDES yourself. This is not a part of the car you want to fail while on the highway.