If your car makes noise when turning right but not left, the issue is most likely caused by a problem with the steering system—like worn-out tie rods or a damaged rack and pinion—or issues with the suspension system, like damaged, loose, or worn-out struts and shocks.
Every driver hates to hear strange noises coming from their car. And if you’re experiencing unusual noises while turning left or right, you might be worried about both your safety and the car repair costs. While many of the problems that cause noises when turning can result in expensive repairs, you might be able to save yourself some time and money by figuring out the source of the sound.
If you’re looking for some guidance on why your car might make a noise when turning right but not left, you came to the right place. Jerry is the licensed broker super app that helps drivers save on car insurance. But more than that, Jerry is the source of automotive knowledge here to ensure you stay safe and informed on the road.
Why does my car make a noise when turning right but not left?
Depending on the type of sound, your car making a noise when turning right but not left could result from many issues, from problems with the power steering system to worn-out suspension components.
The steering and suspension systems are vital to your car’s function and handling. So, you must find and address any problems quickly to avoid further damage and to keep your vehicle safe.
What is the mechanical breakdown?
When you turn your car to the right, the weight shifts to the left side of the vehicle. This adds stress to the steering and suspension components on that side of the car. If these parts are damaged or improperly lubricated, you might notice any number of strange sounds.
Figure out the problem
The type of sound you hear and the speed at which you hear it can help you identify the problem.
Although hearing any noises while driving your car can be scary, sounds can aid you in identifying issues that might otherwise be invisible. When you’re attempting to figure out the source of noise in your car, you must pay close attention to the type of sound and the direction from which it comes.
LEARN MORE: How to react when your car makes noise when accelerating
Is the noise dependent on speed?
One thing to pay attention to is the speed at which you hear the noise. Does it occur when you’re driving at high speeds? Or, do you notice it more at lower speeds?
If you hear the noise while driving at high speeds and turning, there’s a good chance the problem is a bad wheel bearing.
The steering wheel makes noise while turning
Does your car make noise when turning the steering wheel? And, if so, does it happen when you’re sitting still, moving, or both?
If the sound comes from the steering wheel itself, you might have a bad steering column bearing or boot. Other steering system components—like tie rods, sway bars, and steering knuckles—can also fail and cause noises when turning. It’s important to take note of the conditions when you hear the noise to diagnose the issue accurately.
Car makes a noise when turning right but not left: possible causes
If your car makes a noise when turning right but not left—or vice versa—don’t worry. This is one of the more common problems car owners face, and it doesn’t always require overly expensive repairs.
However, many things can cause noise when turning, and it does take some diagnostic work to get to the bottom of the issue. Here are some of the most common causes of noise when turning right but not left.
A Broken steering rack and pinion
The steering rack and pinion are what convert your steering wheel’s rotational motion into linear motion so you can turn the wheels. It’s made up of several moving parts that must remain lubricated.
If the rack and pinion are broken, you will most likely hear an alarming banging or clunking sound when turning. Less severe damage to the rack and pinion can result in clicking noises.
The rack and pinion is a solid piece of equipment that rarely fails. However, if it does break, it could cost you upwards of $1,200 to replace.
Struts or shocks are worn-out
Worn-out or bad struts and shocks are fairly common and typically need to be replaced every 50-100,000 miles.
If your shocks or struts are worn-out or improperly installed, they might slide around when turning, causing an unpleasant clunking noise. The coil springs might also go bad or crack and cause a creaking sound when turning or traveling over uneven terrain.
Steering column bearing or boot is worn-out
If you hear a squealing or whining sound that seems like it’s coming from the steering wheel itself, you could have a damaged or worn-out steering column bearing or boot.
The steering column is what connects your steering wheel to the rack and pinion. If the bearing goes bad or the boot tears and water enters, you might notice a shaky wheel and squealing noises when turning.
Tie rod ends or boots are damaged
Tie rods are the parts that connect your rack and pinion to the wheels. If they go bad, you’ll likely notice that your tires wear unevenly, your steering wheel is improperly aligned, and a bouncing noise while driving.
You can visually inspect your tie rods for damage by looking for tears in the boots or leaking grease. You can also physically check them by lifting the vehicle and shaking the tire side to side. If you feel lurching or bumping, or hear a knocking noise when shaking the tire, your tie rod probably needs to be replaced.
LEARN MORE: Tie rod end replacement cost
Worn-out ball joints
Ball joints connect your car’s control arms to the steering knuckles and allow the knuckles to move when turning while remaining attached to the vehicle. Worn ball joints can result in a clunking or creaking noise when turning as well as some vibration in the steering wheel.
To test your ball joints, lift the vehicle by placing the jack under the control arms (lifting the car from the control arms relieves the pressure on the ball joints, allowing you to check them for damage and wear). Then, place a pry bar under the tire and lift it up and down. If you feel or hear a knocking, you probably have a bad ball joint.
Control arm bushings are worn-out
Control arms connect your car’s chassis to the wheel hub and have rubber bushings on the chassis side. If these bushings go bad, the control arm will lurch and jerk around while driving. This can result in knocking noises, as well as physical vibrations when the control arm allows the vehicle to shift.
Low power steering fluid
If you’re hearing a squeaking, squealing, or whining noise while turning your steering wheel, you could have a problem with the power steering pump, or the fluid level could be low.
Low power steering fluid or a damaged power steering pump can both cause loud whining and squeaking noises when turning the wheel, especially when turning hard in one direction. You might also have trouble turning the wheel.
If this sounds like the issue you’re experiencing, your first step should be to check the fluid level in the power steering reservoir. If the fluid is dark brown or black (clean fluid should be a rich red color), or if it’s contaminated with debris, it may be time for a power steering fluid service.
If the power steering fluid level and color are good, you may have a damaged or worn-out power steering pump.
Bad wheel bearings
If the sound you hear when turning is dependent on speed, you could have a bad wheel bearing.
You might notice noise when turning right but not left at high speeds because you’re placing more weight on the left side. This puts pressure on the wheel bearing, which can make an awful noise—and the faster you travel, the louder this sound will be.
At low speeds, this sound will be less severe and harder to notice.
Bad CV joints
CV axles, also known as constant velocity axles, transfer the power from your transmission to your car’s wheels. The joints on these axles allow this power to continue flowing to the wheels even when turning.
CV joints are protected by a rubber boot filled with grease. However, if this boot tears or is damaged, water and debris can get inside the joint and cause it to malfunction. This usually results in a popping or clicking sound when accelerating and turning the car.
Key TakeawayIf your car makes noise when turning right but not left, it is most likely due to an issue with one or more of the power steering or suspension system components.
How to fix noise from turning
With the exception of noise caused by low power steering fluid—which you can often fix by topping off the fluid level—most of these problems will require you to replace the faulty parts.
These jobs can range in difficulty from novice to advanced. If you’re not confident in your ability to replace these parts, it’s best to take your car to a professional mechanic.
It’s also important to remember that if you replace any part of your steering or suspension system, your car will require an alignment.
How much does it cost to fix a turning noise?
Depending on the cause of the noise, you could be looking at repair costs anywhere from less than $20 for a bottle of new power steering fluid to upwards of $1,200 for a replacement rack and pinion.
Most of these jobs will cost between $100 and $500 for parts and labor. You can save some money on labor costs by performing these repairs yourself—but remember to follow your manufacturer’s torque specifications when installing new parts, and don’t forget the alignment after you finish.
How to find affordable car insurance
When dealing with an expensive repair to your car, the last thing you need is an overpriced car insurance policy. If you’re overpaying for coverage, it might be time to shop for a new plan.
Luckily, Jerry makes shopping for insurance easy. We’ll do the hard work for you by instantly comparing dozens of companies and showing you the best rates for you and your situation. The best part is the average Jerry user saves over $800 when they switch providers!
FAQ
-
What causes a noise while turning?
John Davis is an expert automotive writer and former automotive mechanic. John\\\\\\\’s work spans multiple categories, and he relishes the opportunity to research a new subject and expand his area of expertise and industry knowledge. To date, John has written more than 200 articles covering car maintenance and care, car advice, how-to guides, and more. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team, John worked as a mechanic and freelance writer, creating content for clients including HotCars and SetPower.
Melanie Reiff is an expert insurance writer and editor with over half a decade of experience in professional writing. Guided by a lifelong love of storytelling, it’s Melanie’s mission to help people problemsolve by means of creative and engaging content. Melanie specializes in analyzing the ways in which society, technology, and culture intersect, previously working with clients in travel, technology, and social impact to tell their stories.
As an editorial team lead at Jerry, Melanie has translated her prior experience into creating and editing insurance content that can help drivers and homeowners find the solutions they need and make informed moves.
Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team, Melanie worked as a freelance content marketing strategist and was the full-time director of choir at Rampart High School Acadamy in Colorado Springs.
