After a three hour trip last week, I pulled into the parking lot and noticed a screeching/squeaking noise (that had not been there when I left home) when turning the wheels, pulling into and out of parking spaces, and occasional brief knocks that sounded like they were coming from somewhere beneath me. I made the trip home and did not hear the noise with highway driving, but was still there when I would pull into a parking lot or turn from a complete stop. I took it to a mechanic today and, of course, it did nothing! He put it up on the hoist and couldn't find anything. I asked him to take it down, start the engine and just turn the wheel. Finally, after almost giving up, it started again with each back and forth turn of the wheel. They were tracking the noise and, before he could pinpoint it exactly, it stopped again. But he said it sounded like it was coming from the rack. I don't know what this means exactly. He suggested I drive it, as is, for awhile. It might resolve itself or, if it becomes continuous, they could at least find the problem more easily. He also said they may just need to try a power steering additive or I may eventually need to replace the rack. What is your take on this? Beyond the basic maintenance of a vehicle, I'm automotively challenged. Did I get the right advice and how will a power steering additive help? In the nine months since I bought the car used, I've only topped off the fluid once and that was a minimal amount.
Apr 21, 2010 at 4:06 AM