I'm figuring its a CV axle or something from what I have read around the internet. It just started making the noise not to long ago and got worse after it was towed from the front one day. The noise is most apparent at slow speeds and when the car first starts running. when it picks up speed and gets warmed up, the sound sort of goes away. It's this groaning, creaking noise like "errr dum dum dum dum". I'm not sure if something needs to be greased or replaced or what. My dad also said that it may need a realignment and new tires because the old ones are lumpy, although I haven't noticed anything off.

After it got towed, the plastic in the wheel well got all messed up and part of it had to taken out, if that makes any difference.

 

Hmm.. Well what I would suggest is to jack the car up and shake down the "problem area" or wheel and see if you have play it may be something as simple as the splash guard or something as serious as a lower balljoint

My money is on the balljoint
Rockauto has the whole lower control arm for 35 bones

 

I believe we have the same problem. Would you describe it as an old door, or an old chair sounding? I don't know what it is either.

 

my car creeps and creaks when i make a left turn dead still i was thinking it was me breaking in my new control arms or my old stabilizer links i dont know

 

It sounds like old wood. Like when you sit on an old wooden chair and it makes that creaky, knocking wood sound, or an old dresser. Additionally, it also decides to make the sound when a passenger is getting in in the front.

 

Did you check the power streeing fluid

 

Check to see if you haven't lost any power steering fluid

 

Yup, same problem.

Mine went away though... I had it for about 2 weeks, and now I don't hear it anymore.
I don't know if that's good or bad...

 

check your control arm bushings. one symptom of worn bushings is a creaking sound similar to what you're describing

bad bushings potentially have the same sound as an old door http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oEwVbwXdU8 what causes this is worn rubber, which is exactly what bad bushings are.

 

That's the noise mine was making, but it was coming from under the hood.

 

I forgot to mention I had the exact same problem after racking my car on the lift And shaking down the front I replaced the right lower control arm it's silent now "my money is on the balljoint"

 

possible wheel bearing noise just while turning?

 

NAW man,

Its the rotor rubbing against part of the plating that acts as a shield around the rotor. I think it's purpose is to keep brakedust or water from splashing the driveshafts.

Either way, the plate needs to be pushed off the rotor. Thats what i did and noise went away.

 

Does the noise occur while the car is at stand-still as you turn the steering wheel? Sounds like the strut mounts could be toast.

 

i just replaced my control arms and its still happening! what else maybe sway bar bushings same bushings as control arms

 

If it's only happening when you first start the car, I really recommend replacing your power steering fluid. I had this once and when I checked the reservoir it was low. Added some ATF and it was never a problem again. You may want to replace your fluid instead of just topping it off, but a quart is like $3 - not a difficult or expensive job.

 

Try spraying a little WD-40 on the place where the damper rods enter the strut seal, and a touch to the top and bottom areas of the struts if that doesn't do the job. Then if it goes away you'll know it's decision time...

 

This happened to me some time ago, it could be the bushings, a torn boot cover on the inner tie rod, or in my case the rubber cover on the axle has ripped.

These are the problems i had when the creaking had started, and once i re-greased the inner tie rod i put in the new boot cover, and then replaced the axle. Problem Fixed

 

if the sound can be heard when its not moving, but only wheel turning, its not the brakes, usually not the axle, wheel alignment or any moving parts. You also say that it makes the sound when a passenger gets into the car. To me, it sounds like either a power steering problem, or a suspension issue (because it makes noise when a person gets in the car). To see if it's the suspension, push down on your front struts and see if you can hear a noise. Also,check your belts and pulleys to make sure theyre working properly. While with the hood up, ask someone to turn the wheel and see if you can pinpoint a noise and report back

 

pushing on the struts isn't enough to determine if it's the suspension. i had to replace my bushings and struts and no sounds were made when i pushed on the car while it was in my garage; i actually had to drive it around before i could hear something

 

I've been crazy/busy/stressed during finals week, so I haven't had a chance to check anything yet. I hope it's something simple like steering fluid

 

Update: I checked the power steering fluid and it is below the min line, both hot and cold. I know it should be at least between the minimum and maximum. guess I need to make a trip to autozone. hopefully this is the source of my problems.

 

ATF or power steering fluid?

 

wheellll bearinggggggg

 

the sound was way worse today, along with a recent infestation of ants, thanks to the rain and the creepy tree in the front yard. ugh, how much is all of this going to cost? I have absolutely no mechanical skills. just one more thing to fix on this car. what makes it worse is that it probably could have been prevented if my dad had never parked in a non-parking zone and had it towed from the front. i hope it's at least under $500.

The sound is very similar to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmhYy...eature=related

 

Check the LCA or axle

 

Check the CV Joint and if its a cracking/grinding noise and you have recently done your breaks, check to make sure that the rotor shield isn't scraping anywhere.

 

Also, if it's a CV joint, most likely the boot has ripped meaning that you will have grease spitting out across your wheels. That's a good indicator if that's your problem.