Question for you- 98 Cirrus - 89,000 miles - bought for my son. When you turn the steering wheel it groans, whines....thought it needed power steering added - nope - Had National Tire and Battery put on 4 tires. They tell me it needs new ball joints - and tie rods. Don't let them do the work - take it back to the trustworthy mechanic. He says there is nothing wrong with either one. Then he thought maybe Struts - no, so now nothing is fixed. It still makes a horrible sound..............maybe struts? Any suggestions - Can't imagine why the first mechanic wouldn't want the money to fix it.

Mechanic actually said at this mileage they start to make that groaning sound - nothing you can do about it. I'd appreciate your help!

 

Hey, was just wondering if you had any help on this? i just bought one making the same sounds you describe. Didn't get any help from these guys, was wondering if you've figured out what hte problem was..thanks.

 

sounds to me like a power steering pump??? is there any metal in the resevior??? or is the wheel hard to turn at all, especially when cold??

 

Mine was making the same sound, It was a groan and sweaking though. It was usually worse when it was cold outside. It did this for about 5,000 miles, i replaced both belts about 2,000 miles ago and it hasn't done it since.

 

could be tie rod ends.i don't think they have fittings.if you can poke a small hole in the ball joint rubber cover on the tie rod end, then spray some wd40 in the boot and test drive it it might work the noise out.moe

 

Diagnostic questions:

1. Does it make the noise when the car is standing still and you turn the wheel? (If so, tie rod ends and ball joints are not usually the culprit. They tend to clunk, not groan when standing still.) or when the car is in motion? Or both?

2. Does the noise come from under the hood, or under the car?

My power steering pump makes quite a bit of noise, but it is erratic. (Groans and Growls) ( '97 Sebring)

A dry steering box or rack and pinion can groan, but usually not so much with the car in motion.

Try a new accessory belt. They can make odd noises, and cause your accessories to make odd noises because of them. Be sure to tension correctly.

The pump itself is still suspect.

 

Speaking from bitter experience - I'd get a third one. I had the guys at the tire place tell me my ball joints and control arms needed to be replaced, my "real" mechanic tell me they were fine, and then one of them broke while I was driving. Fortunately, I was driving slowly and was able to get to the side of the road before the wheel fell off all together.

Don't mess around with that.