Title pretty much says it. When I make turns when going slow (e.g., in a parking lot, pulling into the garage), I an hear - and even feel - what seems to be a whirring-type noise, which sounds like plastic gears rubbing together without oil or something.

I've read about steering wheel sounds before, such as 'clunks' at almost full turns, but haven't found anything about this particular slow-turning sound. Maybe some kind of lubricant to the steering assembly? If so, what do I do? thanks.

 

If it sounds almost like rubber on plastic and is a continuous grind, I've just had this repaired at Stealership!
They drain the lubricant, flushing it through until any air locks have gone. Kept the car a day, not covered under warranty,
luckily I'd had the car only 2 hours before I returned it, so no charge. Its common but they just won't admit it, and extremely annoying,

 

That sounds like the problem.

Well, mine's a 2004--definitely out of warranty--and I've yet to bring it in for the airbag recall thing. I suppose I'll have them do this as well (and fix one of the seatbelts in the back seat that won't latch into the housing).... Thanks.

 

Yesterday i had to turn hard to avoid some debris and afterwards the steering felt heavy like there were ball bearings or something in there when turning with a vibration through the wheel.

Went home and parked it, started her up this morning and steering felt normal again. Hope it doesnt happen again!

 

i've been trying to track down a similar noise.
when i start to accelerate, a noise occurs and gets louder if i turn the steering wheel as i accelerate.

my question though is why doesnt this noise occur if i'm stopped and turn the wheel? it only occurs in motion. does it have something to do with the active steering?

will flushing the system fix this? and what is the flush procedure? and what fluid type?

 

There are other entries on the forum about this. Not easy to find at the moment as I am on my BlackBerry. I had the same problem. A rubbing noise noticeable when undertaking lots of slow speed steering manoeuvress. I had the steering column changed under warranty.

 

Hi Folks,
Just changed my front drivers side wheel bearing. They both wont go at the same time so if its a wheel bearing it will be less noisy when you turn the steering wheel in one direction when driving than in the other direction if you know what i mean.

cheers

 

I'm getting a humming/resonance mostly around 47mph. It can be felt in the sterring wheel. It's not affected by braking.I don't know if it's from my almost new tires, or a worn wheel bearing. Is it expensive to replace your wheel bearings? Did you do it yourself? Is there a DIY fopr it? I've got 66kmiles, and I just completed a couple of advanced driving schools which popped the cherry off of my brand new tires.

TIA,
Dean

 

It's all ball bearings these days.