# Winstar 1998 - Noise Turning Steering Wheel

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/winstar-1998-noise-turning-steering-wheel/31833>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [June 13, 2009, 3:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/winstar-1998-noise-turning-steering-wheel/31833 "2009-06-13T15:09:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![REB2009](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@REB2009](https://community.cartalk.com/u/REB2009)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 3:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/winstar-1998-noise-turning-steering-wheel/31833/1 "2009-06-13T15:09:59Z")

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I have an intermittent noise when I turn the steering wheel. Sometimes after driving the car for a few miles when I turn the steering wheel I get a rubbing or groaning sound from the front end of the car. The noise occurs whether the car is moving or stopped. When I drive the car to work in the morning I don’t get the noise. When I drive it home in the afternoon I usually do get the noise. Any know what causes this?

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 3:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/winstar-1998-noise-turning-steering-wheel/31833/2 "2009-06-13T15:13:53Z")

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Two things can cause this groaning noise. A dry ball joint or a worn upper strut bearing.

Tester

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**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/winstar-1998-noise-turning-steering-wheel/31833/3 "2009-06-13T16:48:40Z")

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At ~57k miles my 98 Windstar started to make a groaning noise when I turned the steering wheel pulling into or out of a parking space. The tie rod ends needed lubrication.

There are no grease fittings but my mechanic was able to lube them using a needle fitting. Otherwise the tie rod ends would have to been replaced. The van was still quiet when it was sold at 98k miles.

Ed B