Knocking or Whining When Turning? Steering Noises Explained

Clicking on full lock: CV joints

A clicking or cracking noise when you turn sharply and accelerate, such as pulling out of a junction or a car park, is the classic sign of a worn CV joint on the driveshaft. It usually starts when the rubber boot splits and lets the grease out.

A split CV boot is also an MOT failure, so it is worth catching early — a new boot is far cheaper than a new joint.

Knocks and clunks: suspension and steering joints

A clunk when turning or going over bumps often comes from worn track rod ends, ball joints, anti-roll bar links or top mounts. A creak when turning at low speed can be a dry or broken top mount bearing or a coil spring that has snapped.

Worn steering joints affect how precisely the car steers and will also wear your tyres unevenly.

Whining: power steering

A whine that gets louder as you turn the wheel, especially when parking, often means low power steering fluid or a tired pump on hydraulic systems. Electric power steering does not use fluid, so a fault there usually shows as a warning light or heavy steering instead.

Steering and suspension checks in Brierley Hill

We put the car on the ramp, check every joint for play and road test it to find the noise, then give you a clear quote. Call 01384 936310 to book.