Annoying Sound When Making Hard Turns

poncharello · December 22, 2009

I have a 2007 GMS Sierra 1500. I recently noticed an almost grinding sound when making hard turns. Can anyone tell me what this might be and if it requires the dealer or other mechanic to fix it. Thanks in advance.

mattjulien · December 22, 2009

a "hydralic" whoosh kind of sound is normal, but definitely not a grinding sound. first of all, check your power steering fluid to see if it is low. also, when was the last time you had your brakes serviced and how many miles are on your truck?

gmtech4 · December 22, 2009

warranty left ?

Zembonez · December 22, 2009

I have a 2007 GMS Sierra 1500. I recently noticed an almost grinding sound when making hard turns. Can anyone tell me what this might be and if it requires the dealer or other mechanic to fix it. Thanks in advance.

By making hard turns, do you mean at full lock? You never want to hold the steering all the way to full lock... and yes it will make complaining noises if you do.

poncharello · December 22, 2009

To answer the questions above, I have 42,000 miles on the truck. The sound I am hearing is indeed when I hold the wheel at full lock, but I have never heard it before now. I have not checked the power steering fluid, but will do so in the morning. Thanks for the feedback.

ColoradoSkiCountry · December 22, 2009

Definitly don't hold the steering wheel to full lock. I'd have to say the noise is probably normal even if it has not been doing it till now. When at full lock, your causing excessive wear and pressure build up in power steering.

Ape0r · December 23, 2009

Definitly don't hold the steering wheel to full lock. I'd have to say the noise is probably normal even if it has not been doing it till now. When at full lock, your causing excessive wear and pressure build up in power steering.

More specifically, the huge pressure that the system is pushed to by holding it at the lock causes a huge temperature spike in the fluid. This temperature spike will eat all the seals in your power steering system. However, you would really have to try to get that to happen. I had a friend that did testing for an automotive company, sometimes they had him spend full days taking steering components to failure - he'd hold it on the lock and go WOT in order to see how long the parts would hold up.