Steering Squeak

[Aenyone]

1989 944 N/A 2.7

A while back my power steering bracket broke (here in Louisiana we have less than standard roads). So I removed the power steering pump and looped the lines together. Now, when I turn the wheel it squeaks something awful. I drove around for a little while with the two hoses capped and tied up under the car before looping them and there was no such squeaking noises.

Too much fluid? It isn't leaking (that I can see). The fluid level has remained in the same spot.

[Aenyone]

Nobody has seen this problem after changing from power steering to manual?

[mikepellegrini]

Where's the squeak coming from?

The most common squeaks would be from the strut mount bearing or the suspension. My guess is that it's not related to the change in your power steering, but just happened.

[Aenyone]

The squeak is coming from the left front side, sounds like right by the tire. Now.. that strut is dead. Waiting on parts to replace it right now. I wonder if the sticking strut is causing the squeak when I turn the steering wheel.

[Timmay!]

Should I reply in Francaise Cajun or English?
The P/S system shouldn't squeak if it has any fluid in it at all. You should have sealed struts on your 89, so if the shock inside is dead, that's a very likely place to get a squeak. Those sealed (non-serviceable) struts are $$. We usually steer customers to the Koni adj shock mod and they're very happy with the cost and performance upgrade- tho that might not be so good for you if you have really rough roads. One big pot hole and Wam!, blown foot valve in the shock.
If that doesn't fix the sqeaking......remove the scared nutria from the control arm.

[Aenyone]

Timmay.
I get the feeling you are from these parts...?! LOL
In any case, my buddy and I replaced the strut inserts with the 'hacksaw' method. However, the squeak is still there! I notice it no matter how little I turn the steering wheel. I also notice it when I get out of the car sometimes. Is there something else that would squeak in that area? Bushings?
I wish it were as easy as a nutria!

[Timmay!]

I'm from all over, but I love the Cajun culture, especially the music (not Zydeco! That's different.) Even got me a Cajun style accordian.
Anyway, Like Mike from Tacoma said, try this. I've seen the top of the strut mount rubber come apart. Customer thought it was the rack squeaking , then a sway bar bushing. Was neither- but sounded like it.
Jack the front of the car up. Go to key 2 so the steering doesn't lock up on you. Hood up. Grab the left front tire/wheel and turn it while looking at the strut top. See pic. Follow arrow to dot. This is where customer car was squeakin' like a nutria.

[Aenyone]

I grew up on the music, my Grandfather would play accordion when we would go visit... I miss those days.

I'll try this test, Timmay. Thanks. And Mike, thanks.
Will post results.

laissez les bon temps rouler!

[Lapponia]

Aenyone! Do follow Timmay´s suggestion but paint one more dot on the giant donut like washer above. With the front wheels of the ground try move wheels fully to the right and left. Does the upper paint dot move from dart? If not your upper strut bearing is stuck by rust/dirt. Upper paint dot move away from dart (it should). If not, same issue. Still squeakin when you move wheels to the right or left, same issue. It´s the spring moving in its upper strut position that should allow movement but doesent as the strut bearing is stuck, ask me how I know. I had new Bilstein shocks in without changing the bearings and got the same result like you did. Now after a lot of work all is OK . Good Luck.
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Lapponia 1984 944 NA