Hello,

I have a 2002 Protege ES 2.0 and just turned 60,000 miles.

The last couple of thousand miles, I have noticed a strange creaky sound - imagine a big creaky wooden door being opened. At first I couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from but eventually noticed it appears to happen when I turn the steering wheel/column - so I'm not sure if it's related to the steering or perhaps the front wheels?

If I am parked and turn the wheel from side to side, I hear it (it's not super loud though). If I back up or am just starting out in 1st gear and turn the wheel, the sound is much more loud/noticeable.

I am about to take it in for an oil change and probably to get the timing belt checked, so any idea what this might be/what I should look at?

Thanks.

 

I'm curious about this as well guys. My g/f's Alero started doing this exact same thing last night .. sounded just like a creaking wooden door every time she would turn the steering. I thought it could be low power steering fluid or something, but that wasn't it. Have you checked your fluid level yet?

 

Yep, I checked all the fluids last night actually. Everything looks A-OK.

 

Does it matter which way you turn? May be suspension creaking as you lean the car into turns.

Rack and pinion shouldn't creak, but a shock sure could.