Why Does My Pickup Truck Squeak when I Turn?

Pickups are known for being durable and dependable, but even the best vehicles experience troubles from time to time. One of the most frustrating and concerning behaviors a truck may exhibit in its lifespan is a squeaking noise while turning.

Squeaking while turning may be due to issues with the suspension system, bad strut bearings, control arm ball joints, a worn belt, or the  power steering system. Oftentimes, good maintenance habits like regulating your fluid levels and inspecting your belts can prevent squeaking issues.

There are a lot of complicated components in a truck, and sometimes, the simplest of issues like a failing joint can cause a problem systemwide. The rest of this article will walk you through the most common causes of squeaking while turning and the best ways to address it.

Diagnosing Issues with Squeaking

Dodge Ram

Unusual noises emanating from your pickup truck can be concerning, especially when you’re noticing a prominent squeaking while you turn. Thankfully, this noise usually only indicates a minor problem with your truck, not something that requires major repairs. Here’s where you should start looking if you hear a squeaking noise from your car while you turn.

Power Steering Issues

A squeaking noise is often your vehicle’s first indicator that your power steering fluid is low. If you’re noticing squeaking, check your fluid levels. If your levels are low, top them off. While you’re checking, look around the engine compartment for a reddish fluid, which might indicate a leak.

If it’s been a while since your last change, it’s worthwhile to have it drained and refilled.

The power steering belt can wear out over time as they begin to age. Rubber can become brittle and fall off, dry rot can set in, or the belt can develop cracks. If your belt shows visible signs of wear and tear, replace it to see if the squeaking noise stops.

After checking on these two common causes of squeaking, it’s quite possible that the entire system is starting to fail. This is quite likely if you notice a pronounced squeaking as you make a right turn. At low speeds, you may hear grinding or grating noises coming from the power steering pump and have additional difficulty turning.

Faulty CV Joints

If you notice squealing, clicking, or clanking noises as you turn your truck, you might start to suspect a faulty CV joint. CV joints usually have a protective sealed cover, but the joint itself can dry out and become damaged over time or as a result of damage to the vehicle.

The best course of action for this is to take it to be serviced. Usually, your local mechanic will opt to replace the CV joint rather than repairing it.

Steering Wheel Friction

Steering Wheel

New trucks sometimes experience a frustrating issue wherein the plastic material tends to scrape against the interior trim, causing a squeaking noise. Of course, the issue can also occur in older trucks, too. If you are able to diagnose an issue with steering wheel friction, it’s usually worthwhile to return the truck to the dealership.

Tires

Tires can cause a squealing or squeaking noise when accelerating quickly, braking sharply, or taking tight corners. If you’re making sharp turns, the tires are scraping against the road laterally, creating a distinct squeaking or squealing noise.

You should certainly try to avoid making your tires squeak, but in a lot of cases, it doesn’t indicate anything wrong with your vehicle. For example, making a tight turn at low speeds in a parking lot creates that irritating squeaky noise. Slippery surfaces are also much more likely to make your tires lose traction more, increasing the chance of a tire squeak.

Tires are more prone to squeaking when they’re older simply because the tread is more worn, increasing the chance that they will slip when you turn. Amusingly enough, new tires can also make squeaking noises for a while due to the way air gets trapped in between the new tire tread pattern and squeaks against the ground.

After a few days of wearing in your new tires, the issue should stop.

Underinflated tires can also cause a squeaking noise as well. Low pressure allows the sidewalls to flex more, losing traction as you make turns. As the rubber slides along the ground, a squeaking noise will occur.

Suspension System Troubles

Truck Suspension

Issues with the ball joints in the suspension system can cause squeaking noises while you turn.

Depending on the type of suspension system you have, your truck will have either two or four ball joints. These play a vital role in your suspension system, but as with any component under stress in your truck, they are subject to constant friction and might wear out over time.

If you’re noticing a squealing noise coming from the front of your car and some shuddering or vibration as you drive, then you’d do well to suspect a failing ball joint in your suspension system. Unlike many other causes of squealing in your truck, this issue should be addressed immediately.

Worn ball joints are seriously dangerous and are at much higher risk of breaking down, leaving you completely unable to control your steering on the road. This particular repair cannot wait.

Road Surface

Sometimes, the issue isn’t with your truck; rather, it’s the surface you’re driving on. Rare as they may be, rubber roads or rubberized asphalt can cause your tires to squeak a lot more as you make sharp turns.

Next time you’re out driving, check to see if the issue occurs consistently every time you make a turn or whether it only occurs on certain stretches of the road.

Final Thoughts

Squeaking while turning in a pickup truck can be a frustrating experience for any truck owner, but thankfully, a lot of the underlying causes are only minor and won’t break the bank to fix. Oftentimes, it’s a minor issue with your power steering system that needs to be addressed within a reasonable timeframe.

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