I hear a noise whenever I steer the car at about 10 MPH or below... sort of like a rubbery popping sound (not very loud though) that comes when I steer past a certain angle (the speed thing may just because I rarely steer that much over 10 MPH? ie, a 90-degree turn).

My theory is that maybe it's the tires just being "twisted" on the ground because of the slow speeds, but when I stop the car entirely and turn the steering the normal sound that a tire makes when it's standing still but being turned is a bit different...

But I wonder if it's something mechanical in the steering gear, and not the tires?

Any ideas?

 

It also doesn't happen when the car is standing still...soo... maybe it's something in the suspension and not the steering gear per say... or a combination of both.

And it really sort of sounds more like something is getting knocked around rather than a popping noise.

Or maybe the sound that a chair makes when you lean back in it is a better description?

 

Crazy, I actually have the same problem, sounds exactly like a squeeky chair. Any help would be appreciated.

 

It took me forever to think of something to compare it to... then I learned by in my chair :p It's closer to a wooden chair than a plastic computer chair though...

There are a few threads about it and they only thing that I can seem to think is the reason is a worn out strut mount/bearing... that or a loose one.

Although usually a bad strut mount means you hear more of a clunk noise when you go over a bump?

 

yeah, I get a sort of popping noise at those speeds as well.

 

New strut mounts should fix your problem.

 

Seems as this problem has dissapeared for the time being.

Perhaps it's partially a weather issue? (ie, warmer weather = no sound)

I'll get some new strut mounts, eventually... but probably not till I get about $1000 to fully awesomeify my suspension (bushings, strut mounts, springs, shocks, engine mounts, transmission mounts, diff mounts)

 

more than likely a strut tower bearing.

But, I'd also check the boots on the steering rack, perhaps one is twisted and bunching up? As well as the rubber isolators on the brackets for the rack, they may just be worn and loose.