Posted on 5/30/2025
If your car makes an odd groaning or squeaking sound every time you turn the steering wheel all the way left or right, you’re not imagining things. These sounds are your vehicle’s way of saying something isn’t quite right or, at the very least, it’s under stress. While occasional noise may not signal a major issue, persistent or worsening sounds should not be ignored. Let’s find out what these noises usually mean and why they often happen during full-turn maneuvers. Steering System Pressure at Its Maximum When you turn your steering wheel to its furthest limit, you’re putting the power steering system under maximum load. This is especially true if you hold the wheel in that position for more than a couple of seconds. The groaning sound you hear is often the power steering pump straining under that pressure, particularly if the fluid is low or degraded. Power steering fluid lubricates and powers the hydraulic system. When the flui ... read more