When I went to go to class this morning, my car literally screamed at me (it even almost had a hint of "F**K YOU!" intoned in it now that I think about it) when I turned the wheel to pull out of the parking lot I was in. Having previously had a nearly bone-dry PS fluid overflow reservoir, I first thought that's what the sound was because I was familiar with the horrible grinding of a PS pump that lacks fluid, however, I almost immediately discarded that conclusion when it still made the same dry squeak as I went over bumps in the road or pulled into a driveway etc.

I did go over a fairly large drop in the road last night, not a pothole, more of a sunken road that is still road just dunked about a foot. I didn't see it coming, it was dark and late and caught me way off guard but it didn't make this sound after that as I continued driving and pulled into the parking lot a few minutes later, it started this morning. (It was also about 23 degrees F when I was leaving this morning if that counts for anything)

The car does not bounce repeatedly after going over speed bumps or pulling into driveways so I don't think I blew the shocks when more or less driving off a 1 foot ledge in the road, so what else could it be? My next guess is control arms, since I'm fairly certain those are due for a change anyway, but would they randomly start squeaking an ungodly squeak under these conditions or is it more likely my entire rack and pinion and all that associated stuff has decided to crap out on me?

TIA,

-Justin

 

my car does the same thing and so does my brothers. when you turn the wheel it screeches at you and when you go over any bumps it squeaks. i have stock suspension and have not replaced my control arms. my brother has koni coilovers and replaced all his control arms so im brought to the conclusion that it is the cold weather that causes this because neither or our cars make any noise when the temp is above freezing

 

My P/S pump whines when its that cold too, thats normal. The squeak sounds like control arms. I'd check the P/S tank, and it couldn't hurt to crawl around under the car and check things out, given that you drove it off that little ledge or whatever. GL!

 

Yea, the PS pump whined a little before this happened which I took to be normal since my reservoir is full so its definitely not that. I examined it a little closer today and it is strictly passenger side front wheel, drivers side doesnt do it at all so I'm gonna put my money on control arms as well. I'm gonna head up to my buddy's dad's place this weekend and get her in the air and take the wheel off and see if I can get a better look at what's going on and maybe (hopefully) something just needs a little grease or WD-40. Thanks for the input guys,

-J

 

I think temperature may have something to do with it, but the only doubt I have concerning the relationship is the fact that it's been colder than it was yesterday before. My dash thermometer read -14C a few weeks ago and she didn't have an issue starting nor made any sound like this and yesterday's reading was only -7C so I'm leaning away from temperature having a significant enough impact on this in my case.

 

Honestly, latley i have herd the same screching noise when i turn all the way for the past 2-3 weeks and its been sub zero temps here too. Just trying to put something into the subject, i dont have my own conclution.