High pitch squeal only when steering wheel is turned right slightly

MF-DIF · 05-27-2017, 06:46 PM

I've been trying to diagnose this issue for a while. When the wheel is in the 1 o'clock position while moving I get a high pitched squeal. Only other thing is it sometimes when I come to a stop it'll make the same squeal oddly enough. Not the familiar brake pad squeal.

So far I've...

Replaced the accessory belt (old belt was only a year old, so it looked fine)
Adjusted the belt to varying degrees of tightness
Replaced the power steering hoses
Replaced the power steering o-ring
Flushed the power steering fluid

Suggestions on what's else it might be? If it's a pulley, which one? Anyway to test those other than throwing parts on the car?

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Charlie-III · 05-27-2017, 11:53 PM

Short term, take the PS/alternator belt off, see if the sound stops.

MF-DIF · 05-30-2017, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie-III

Short term, take the PS/alternator belt off, see if the sound stops.

What would that indicate if it did or did not stop? I assume I'd have to try and take it for a spin around the block without any power steering.

Charlie-III · 05-31-2017, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MF-DIF

What would that indicate if it did or did not stop? I assume I'd have to try and take it for a spin around the block without any power steering.

Correct, if the noise goes away, you're down to the belt, PS pump and alternator. If you still have the noise, then it's the other belt, AC compressor, rack.

MF-DIF · 06-01-2017, 06:42 PM

Welp. Took off the PS/alternator belt and still had the squeak. So I guess it's down to the AC belt, AC compressor or rack correct?

Any next steps to narrow it down? The belt is the easiest and cheapest to try.

AC works good. On or off it makes no difference. Hope it's not the rack. There isn't any difficulty turning or anything. But there is a "groaning" noise when I get close the the turning stop point.

MF-DIF · 06-19-2017, 05:08 PM

Well I did the AC belt this week with no difference. Something odd I did notice is that after taking the car to an automatic car wash, the noise temporarily went away. I'm guessing something got wet and that helped lube something. Of course, as it dried it came back.

Could it be something in the suspension? It's driving me crazy!

rexxx161 · 06-21-2017, 08:39 PM

Crank pulley rubbing on timing cover shields?

MF-DIF · 07-30-2017, 05:30 PM

If anyone was curious, it turned out to be my wheel bearing. I had some vibration as well on the highway. I always thought that make a whirling noise. At any rate, once that was replaced, along with the hub because all my stuff was rusted together.

sl0soob · 08-10-2017, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MF-DIF

If anyone was curious, it turned out to be my wheel bearing. I had some vibration as well on the highway. I always thought that make a whirling noise. At any rate, once that was replaced, along with the hub because all my stuff was rusted together.

I got here too late. same thing happened to me. My mechanic was swearing up a storm during the replacement because nothing came apart. it broke apart due to rust

05-27-2017, 06:46 PM	#1
MF-DIF Scooby Specialist Member#: 62197 Join Date: May 2004 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Savannah Vehicle: 2002 PSM WRX Mini Cooper S, Yami FZ-09	High pitch squeal only when steering wheel is turned right slightly I've been trying to diagnose this issue for a while. When the wheel is in the 1 o'clock position while moving I get a high pitched squeal. Only other thing is it sometimes when I come to a stop it'll make the same squeal oddly enough. Not the familiar brake pad squeal. So far I've... Replaced the accessory belt (old belt was only a year old, so it looked fine) Adjusted the belt to varying degrees of tightness Replaced the power steering hoses Replaced the power steering o-ring Flushed the power steering fluid Suggestions on what's else it might be? If it's a pulley, which one? Anyway to test those other than throwing parts on the car? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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05-27-2017, 11:53 PM	#2
Charlie-III NASIOC Supporter Member#: 30669 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: USA, North NJ, 07456 Vehicle: 1998 Legacy 2.5GT Silver Sleeper BK, 5MT	Short term, take the PS/alternator belt off, see if the sound stops.

06-01-2017, 06:42 PM	#5
MF-DIF Scooby Specialist Member#: 62197 Join Date: May 2004 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Savannah Vehicle: 2002 PSM WRX Mini Cooper S, Yami FZ-09	Welp. Took off the PS/alternator belt and still had the squeak. So I guess it's down to the AC belt, AC compressor or rack correct? Any next steps to narrow it down? The belt is the easiest and cheapest to try. AC works good. On or off it makes no difference. Hope it's not the rack. There isn't any difficulty turning or anything. But there is a "groaning" noise when I get close the the turning stop point.

06-19-2017, 05:08 PM	#6
MF-DIF Scooby Specialist Member#: 62197 Join Date: May 2004 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Savannah Vehicle: 2002 PSM WRX Mini Cooper S, Yami FZ-09	Well I did the AC belt this week with no difference. Something odd I did notice is that after taking the car to an automatic car wash, the noise temporarily went away. I'm guessing something got wet and that helped lube something. Of course, as it dried it came back. Could it be something in the suspension? It's driving me crazy!

06-21-2017, 08:39 PM	#7
rexxx161 Scooby Newbie Member#: 461066 Join Date: Jan 2017 Vehicle: 2009 WRX Silver	Crank pulley rubbing on timing cover shields?

07-30-2017, 05:30 PM	#8
MF-DIF Scooby Specialist Member#: 62197 Join Date: May 2004 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Savannah Vehicle: 2002 PSM WRX Mini Cooper S, Yami FZ-09	If anyone was curious, it turned out to be my wheel bearing. I had some vibration as well on the highway. I always thought that make a whirling noise. At any rate, once that was replaced, along with the hub because all my stuff was rusted together.