My poor car is making a loud creaking sound everytime I turn left, but only when it's wet or cold. This is driving me nuts & its really embarrassing in parking lots. Several people have told me it might be the control arm bushing, but it's been too cold to get under there & check it. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this problem, and what it turned out to be.

 

Creaking while turning is most likely going to be the outer tie rod ends. Creaking while going over bumps is LCA bushings. Clunking and or looseness in steering is usually ball joints. I've had all three problems and replaced all three of the above parts. If you can, spring for MOOG parts for the outer tie rod ends and ball joints. They are solid and built very well. LCA bushings are best to replace with something like the Prothane Poly bushings.

 

So is this something i need to take care of ASAP, is it dangerous?

 

check the hub to see if the bearings are going out

 

I don't know if it's dangerous (it crossed my mind as well, but I never got around to asking anyone that knew), but I changed everything ASAP because the noise embarrassed the hell out of me. I take pride in everything I own (probably because I have to pay for it; it's not just handed to me), so having a car in that state was unacceptable to me as well. Creaks while turning, creaks while going over bumps...good Lord.

 

heck no, its perfectly safe untill the wheel falls off or you loose steering. personally i would wait till i crash and call my insurance company.

 

Yeah, actually. Thinking about that, a Honda down the road had that same problem with the same cause.

 

Yeah, I'm taking it to the dealership first thing tomorrow. I have actually had a tie rod break on me before, in my old Eclipse back in 03.

 

ha ha dam this is my problem too ha ha ha good ole mopar rods

 

I just can't believe how...weak-looking the factory ones are!? They are like sheet metal compared to the Moog ones. If you have a couple of wrenches, I'd just do it yourself and save some money. Not really hard at all to do unless they are rusted up.