The Short Answer
Something in your steering or suspension is worn out, low on fluid, or on its way to failing. Clicking, grinding, whining, popping: each sound points to a different culprit. Some are cheap fixes you can knock out over a weekend. Others will leave you calling a tow truck if you ignore them too long.
Clicking or Popping When Turning
Most people first notice this during low-speed turns. Pulling out of the driveway, crawling through a car park, that sort of thing.
CV Joint (Most Likely)
A rhythmic clicking that gets faster as you turn the wheel harder is classic CV joint wear. These constant velocity joints sit at each end of your drive shafts, letting power reach the wheels while everything moves around underneath.
Each CV joint is protected by a rubber boot. Over time that boot cracks, grease leaks out, and dirt gets in. Once contaminated, the joint wears quickly and starts clicking.
What to look for:
- Clicking gets louder on full lock
- Worse on one side only, which tells you exactly which joint is gone
- Grease splattered on the inside of the wheel or around the axle
Cost to fix:
- CV boot replacement (caught early): $150 to $300 AUD / $100 to $200 USD per side
- Full CV axle replacement: $300 to $600 AUD / $200 to $450 USD per side including labour
Ball Joints or Tie Rod Ends
More of a clunk or pop than a click? Worn ball joints or tie rod ends are likely suspects. These are pivot points in your steering and suspension. When the internal bushings deteriorate, you get play that creates a distinct knock when turning.
Cost to fix: $200 to $500 AUD / $150 to $350 USD per side, alignment included.
Grinding Noise When Turning
Grinding is always more concerning than clicking. Metal is touching metal somewhere it shouldn't be.
Wheel Bearing
A failing wheel bearing produces a growl or grind that shifts with speed. Here's a handy trick: turn left and the noise gets worse? Probably the right-side bearing, because more weight is loading onto it. Opposite applies if it's louder turning right.
Bearings can go from a subtle hum to sounding like a truck in a matter of weeks. Don't sit on this one. A seized bearing can lock your wheel mid-drive.
Cost to fix: $250 to $600 AUD / $180 to $400 USD per wheel. Press-in units cost more in labour than bolt-on types.
Brake Components
Grinding only when you turn AND brake at the same time? Could be a worn pad. Some brake pads have a metal wear indicator that squeals or grinds once the friction material is gone. Turning shifts your car's weight and can push the worn pad harder against the rotor.
Cost to fix: $200 to $400 AUD / $150 to $300 USD per axle for pads and rotor resurface.
Whining Noise When Turning
Power Steering System
A whine or moan at low speed, especially on full lock, usually points straight at the power steering.
Hydraulic systems (older cars):
- Low fluid is the number one cause. Pop the bonnet and check the reservoir.
- The pump itself could be wearing out. Failing pumps get progressively louder.
- Holding the wheel at full lock for more than a few seconds builds excessive pressure. Bad habit that kills pumps.
Electric power steering (most modern cars):
- No fluid involved, so a whine from a newer car might be the electric motor or its mounting. Less common, but worth getting checked.
Cost to fix:
- Topping up fluid: $10 to $20 for a bottle (DIY job)
- Power steering pump replacement: $400 to $900 AUD / $300 to $700 USD
- Rack and pinion replacement: $800 to $2,000 AUD / $600 to $1,500 USD
Creaking or Groaning at Low Speed
Suspension Bushings
Rubber bushings in the control arms, sway bar links, or strut mounts creak and groan as they age. Every time you turn, the suspension moves, and worn bushings complain about it. Especially common in older cars or anything that's spent years on rough roads.
Cold weather makes it worse because rubber stiffens up. You might find the noise disappears entirely once things warm up.
Cost to fix: $100 to $400 AUD / $80 to $300 USD per bush. Varies a lot depending on which one it is.
Strut Mount or Spring
A bad strut mount (top mount) can creak or snap when you turn at low speed. The mount sits on top of the strut assembly and allows it to rotate with the steering. When the internal bearing fails, you get noise and sometimes a notchy, sticky feeling through the wheel.
Cost to fix: $200 to $400 AUD / $150 to $300 USD per side.
When to See a Mechanic
Get it sorted now:
- Grinding that's getting louder. Could be a wheel bearing heading toward failure.
- Any noise paired with vibration through the steering wheel.
- Steering that feels loose or wanders on its own.
Book it in this week:
- Clicking on turns. A CV joint won't heal itself and will only get worse.
- Persistent whine from the power steering, especially with low fluid.
Keep an eye on it:
- Mild creaking on cold mornings that goes away. Probably bushings, not urgent.
- Occasional pop over bumps. Worth mentioning at your next service.
Can You DIY?
Topping up power steering fluid is easy. Check your owner's manual for the right type and just pour it in. CV boot replacement is doable if you're mechanically inclined, but most people find swapping the whole axle is actually simpler. Wheel bearings, ball joints, and tie rods generally need a press and proper tools. Leave those to a shop unless you've done them before.
Ask TorqueBot
Not sure what your noise is? Describe the sound to TorqueBot. Tell it when it happens, which direction makes it worse, and how fast you're going. It'll narrow down the most likely cause for your specific car. Some models are notorious for particular issues (Subaru CV joints, anyone?) and TorqueBot knows which ones to watch for.