Hi All,
Just started getting a creaking noise when I turn the steering wheel. It sounds like it's coming from underneath the vehicle in the area behind the left front wheel. It sounds like rubber against steel and drones as long as I turn the wheel. It also sounds when the suspension is activated. ie when I go over a bump. It's pretty loud.
Any ideas?
Thanks!

Will

'05 Limited

 

Your lower ball joint moves when you steer the wheel. That would be a good place to start. My Ranger pick up squeaked when I turned the steering wheel while sitting still. It ended up being ball joints. Your Escape has MacPherson Struts so it only has lower ball joints. (my 2 wheel drive Ranger has 4 ball joints) A clunking noise at slow speeds is most likely your sway bar links, which is a very common problem and an easy fix.

 

Thanks for the hit Dan! I'll check out the ball joints.
When I hit a bump, I don't get a clunking sound. It's the same creaking noise that turning the steering wheel makes. It's almost like the sound you make if you wet your finger and slide it across a glass window.

 

Did you find the rumbling noise when you turn the wheel? Mine has the same sound, just started in the last few days. When I'm sitting still, I can turn the steering wheel left & right and hear a "bump bump bump bump".

Dave

 

Hi Dave,

I'd recommend getting this in front of your dealership so they can check it out. What's the current mileage on your Escape?

Crystal

 

Hi Crystal,

My 2002 3.0 V6 2WD Escape has about 175,000 miles on it. Been a great truck, and still looks like new. I live in NC and we almost never have any snow/salt here.

Dave