Car Problem Question - Any ideas?

[mamamary]

Hi. I have a Town & Country mini-van. Last week I noticed that my steering wheel was making a noise. Then it sounded like it was coming from the area around the pedals. Maybe both spots? Anyway, then I noticed it only seemed to happen when I made left turns at a slow speed - such as parking. The only thing we checked was the power steering fluid and that was fine. I looked online and did see something similar and the problem was a CV joint. I can't bring my car in to the mechanic until Sat. so I thought I'd see if anyone had any ideas of what this might be.

Thanks.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Power steering pump, maybe?

 

[mamamary]

Power steering pump, maybe?

I don't even know what that is - lol. I just hope the car is ok to drive and we are not making it worse by using it. At first I thought it was because the weather has been so cold but since it kept up for about 5 days I'm sure it's not that.

 

[tiggger1]

Sounds like the CV joint. My Yukon made that noise when the cv joint went bad..

 

[mamamary]

Sounds like the CV joint. My Yukon made that noise when the cv joint went bad..

Do you mind if I ask the cost of fixing that?

 

[tiggger1]

My husband fixed it but I can ask him how much it cost to do so.

 

[shrubber]

CV joints make a clicking noise when they are going out. They are loudest when turning, not as loud when going straight. They will make noise even when coasting, but are more pronounced when engine has a load.IE hitting the gas.

Grinding noises when turning may mean a bad wheel bearing.
I would go to the nearest Lube Stop oil change place.
Ask them to check the power steering fluid...was it low?
Ask them to lube the Cv joints....were the rubber boots broken?
You'll either fix or narrow down the problem from there.

 

[tiggger1]

he said if it just the cv joint is should roughly be between $300-$500 depending on the car

 

[cabanafrau]

Just took my Grand Caravan in about two weeks ago for the same thing. It was debris on the filter in the line for the power steering fluid. Cost about $75 for the mechanic to repair, parts included.

 

[BalooTheBear]

If it's the power steering problem, the noise it makes will be more of a squeal. If it's the CV joint it will sound more like a shoop shoop or clicking when you turn at any speed, not just when parking. Also, you can look under the front axle of the car and see if the boot covering the joint on the axle is still intact.
Usually the rubber boot will be damaged which causes exposure to the elements.


CV Joint repairs can be very costly. Power Steering problems can be anything from the pump $$$ to low or dirty fluids. Because of the cold weather the fluid could also be real thick and make things sound like that.

 

[mamamary]

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions.