Yesterday during one of the first drives of the season my steering was binding in low speed and stationary turning. It was accompanied by a grinding noise/ sensation and the steering was much harder to turn. The grinding noise seemed to come from the driver side as far as I could tell, but it was only evident from inside the cabin. I couldn't detect anything while sitting beside the front wheels while I had someone turning the steering. I put the front end up on jacks but I couldn't notice any issue or noise with the wheels elevated. On a subsequent drive it seemed to go away and things appear to have returned to normal right now. I should note that the car has been in winter storage for four months, and this was one of the first drives after pulling it out of the garage.

I assume that it might have been one of the front balljoints. But there appears to be 3 joints on each front hub. If the issue returns I was just wondering which balljoint might be most responsible for binding up the steering, would it be the one on the end of the tie rod ?. All of the balljoint boots are in good condition, nothing torn or leaking. Thanks for any replies, I'd appreciate any advice.

 

Any opinions on what may be going on ? , anyone ?

 

Did the grinding noise change with vehicle speed or only when you steered?

I suspect it was that the brakes were sticking or had some kind of deposit on the rotors/pads that caused some friction that you would feel through the steering wheel at low speeds or stationary as the wheels have to roll to allow the steering. Try holding your foot on the brake pedal when stationary and trying to steer, is that what it felt like?

If it is a balljoint, the lower control arm balljoint sees the most force during a low speed turn.

And your description of how you could only hear it from the cabin means it could have been coming from the steering shaft.

 

Thanks for the reply I appreciate it greatly. The grinding/binding noise was only evident in stationary or very low speed conditions, nothing evident while driving normal speeds. The noise was kind of like holding your foot on the brake and turning, but maybe a bit more exaggerated than that. Maybe I had some deposits on the brakes, not sure. I haven't been able to drive it again due to the weather but I hope to try it again shortly.

Yeah all of the sensation and noise seemed only evident from the steering wheel and cabin, transmitted through teh steering shaft I think.

Thanks for the info on the lower ball joint if it continues I may have to look at that one first I guess. Much appreciated.

 

you could check the front end for play and visually inspect everything, but I suspect it was just from being stationary for the winter months,

drive it !!! if it gets worse stop driving it and get it looked at !

-Lee

 

Thanks for the added info. Yeah being the first drive of since being in winter storage lead me to believe it might have just been from sitting on jackstands for the last while. Visually everything looks good, I have no torn boots and no grease seepage from the balljoints. No odd wear that I can see. With the wheels elevated she turns very smoothly. I hope to find out more on the next drive, things seemed to have improve after the first incident, so I hope it continues to improve on the next drive. Thanks for the reply

 

I got the car out again today for a second drive, the noise appears to have settled down. I tried to put it through some tight turns and the noise has been reduced as of right now. Im going to take it in for an alignment later this month so I will have them check the suspension parts while its there. I think I will avoid leaving the car up on jackstands for long periods of time next winter season. thanks for reading and the replies provided.

 

My first thought too was the rotors deflecting off the pad when taking a turn after it sitting for awhile. Did you actually feel the steering wheel tightening up at all?

I believe I read in the manual not to store the car on jackstands, the weight drooping on the springs, shocks,etc, is not how the suspension is intended to work.

 

Thanks Jeff !, I initially thought that the steering assist was lower, then I started hearing the noise while turning. But then again I have been driving a 2012 Ford Explorer as my daily driver since the car was put into winter storage so I might be over-sensitive to the light steering of that vehicle and I forgot how the s2OOO steering felt. I will definitely avoid using jackstands for long periods of time, I was doing some work under the car this winter but I took my sweet time dropping the car on the ground. Last season it sat on jackstands for four months when my engine blew.