Power Steering Noise

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Dodge Stratus and 2005 Chrysler Sebring. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CONDITION	POSSIBLE CAUSES	CORRECTION
OBJECTIONABLE HISS OR WHISTLE*	1. Damaged or mispositioned steering column shaft/coupling dash panel seal.	1. Reposition or replace steering column shaft/coupling dash panel seal.
OBJECTIONABLE HISS OR WHISTLE*	2. Noisy valve in power steering gear.	2. Replace power steering gear.
RATTLE OR CLUNK	1. Power steering gear loose on front suspension crossmember.	1. Inspect power steering gear mounting bolts. Replace as necessary. Tighten to the specified torque.
	2. Front suspension crossmember mounting fasteners loose at frame.	2. Tighten the front suspension crossmember mounting fasteners to the specified torque.
	3. Loose tie rod (outer or inner).	3. Check tie rod pivot points for wear. Replace worn/loose parts as required.
	4. Loose lower control arm mounting bolts at front suspension crossmember.	4. Tighten control arm mounting bolts to the specified torques.
	5. Loose shock assembly mounting fasteners at shock tower.	5. Tighten shock assembly fasteners to the specified torques.
	6. Power steering fluid pressure hose touching the body of the vehicle.	6. Adjust hose to proper position by loosening, repositioning, and tightening fitting to specified torque. Do not bend tubing.
	7. Internal power steering gear noise.	7. Replace power steering gear.
	8. Damaged front suspension crossmember.	8. Replace front suspension crossmember.
POPPING NOISE	1. Worn outer tie rod.	1. Replace outer tie rod.
CHIRP OR SQUEAL (POWER STEERING PUMP)	1. Loose power steering pump drive belt.	1. Check and adjust power steering pump drive belt to specifications. Replace belt if worn or glazed.
WHINE OR GROWL (POWER STEERING PUMP)**	1. Low fluid level.	1. Fill power steering fluid reservoir to proper level and check for leaks (make sure all air is bled from the system fluid).
	2. Power steering hose touching vehicle body or frame.	2. Adjust hose to proper position by loosening, repositioning, and tightening fitting to specified torque. Do not bend tubing. Replace hose if damaged.
	3. Extreme wear of power steering pump internal components.	3. Replace power steering pump and flush system as necessary.
SUCKING AIR SOUND	1. Loose clamp on power steering fluid return hose.	1. Tighten or replace hose clamp.
	2. Missing O-Ring on power steering hose connection.	2. Inspect connection and replace O-Ring as required.
	3. Low power steering fluid level.	3. Fill power steering fluid reservoir to proper level and check for leaks.
	4. Air leak between power steering fluid reservoir and power steering pump.	4. Replace power steering pump (with reservoir).
SQUEAK OR RUBBING SOUND	1. Steering column shroud rubbing.	1. Realign shrouds as necessary.
	2. Steering column shaft rubbing.	2. Move or realign item rubbing shaft.
	3. Clockspring noisy.	3. Remove clockspring. Reinstall wheel. If noise is gone, replace clockspring.
	4. Steering gear internally noisy.	4. Replace steering gear.
SCRUBBING OR KNOCKING NOISE.	1. Incorrect tire or wheel size.	1. Replace incorrect size tire or wheel with size used as original equipment.
	2. Interference between steering gear and other vehicle components.	2. Check for bent or misaligned components and correct as necessary.
	3. Steering gear internal stops worn excessively allowing tires to be steered excessively far.	3. Replace steering gear.

NOTE: * There is some noise in all power steering systems. One of the most common is a hissing sound evident when turning the steering wheel when at a standstill or when parking and the steering wheel is at the end of its travel. Hiss is a very high frequency noise similar to that experienced while slowly closing a water tap. The noise is present in every valve and results when high velocity fluid passes valve orifice edges. There is no relationship between this noise and the performance of the steering system.

NOTE: ** Power steering pump growl results from the development of high pressure fluid flow. Normally this noise level should not be high enough to be objectionable.