Hello Forum;

Question: Can someone help me pin down or narrow down what could be causing a creaking noise in the front end of my car?

My 2000 Honda Accord makes a creaking noise in the front end. I am starting to think that the creaking noise might be coming from the steering assembly maybe. The creaking noise only happens when I turn the steering wheel. The front end does not creak when I am driving in a straight line.

Symptoms:
- (IMPORTANT) The creaking noise will not start until I have been driving the car for 15 to 20 minutes.
- The creaking noise occurs only when I turn the steering wheel.
- The creaking noise comes from the left front wheel area.
- The power steering system leaks fluid. I have to put new power steering fluid into the container about once every two weeks (300 to 400 miles)

My mechanic has replaced
1). the struts with new struts,
2). CV axles,
3). one or both control arms ( I can't remember).

My car
2000 Honda Accord LX, 4 cylinder engine

Thank you in advance.

 

Noises in general are tough to diagnose over the web and will take some investigative work on your end. Try bouncing the suspension or start the engine in park and turn the steering wheel to listen for the noise. It my not be as loud as when driving. You can secure the car on jackstands and take off the front driver's wheel. Look for orange dust at any ball joint. If I had to guess, I'd look at the lower ball joint, the tie-rod end, and the CV joint.

The power steering fluid leak may be a separate issue. Can you find where the leak is coming from? You can try looking under the boot of the tie-rod for fluid or any connections. The repair could be as simple and an o-ring on the power steering lines or replacing the power steering rack which is more complicated. Finding the leak will determine the repair needed.