Can you diagnose my car problem?

Whole front end sounds funky.

Maybe last front end work was done by a carpenter or plumber!

Wheel should be straight ! If not the power steering will cause the steering to WANDER. Caused by plumber not centering wheel and steering box at last repair.

Vibration is sign the wheels need to be balanced.

Creaking maybe a ball joint or CVJ. If backing up it clicks and creaks ( CVJ needs work and replacement)

Take it to a front end alignment shop !

@Tropical_Willie Forgot to mention just got new tires and had the wheels balanced.

Thanks. I think I do notice noise backing up but I think it’s the same creak as when I’m driving or turning.

Yes, the whole front end needs service. A complete rebuild, ball joints, tie rod ends, the works. Plus CV joints/shafts. Everything.

Start with a front end alignment, but @kritiper might be right and you need a complete front end rebuild, BUT start with a alignment and see where that gets ya.

^ Totally agree. Pay $80 and have the front end aligned. It might be a simple as your “toe-in” setting is way off.

Get the front end looked at SOON. This is not one of those things you want to put off. And high speed driving under these circumstances is suicidal.

How many miles are on the vehicle?

@SQUEEKY2 About 55k

Then I highly doubt it needs a complete front end rebuild, just get a front end alignment and you should be good to go.

One big clue for the necessity of a wheel alignment is rapid and uneven wear of the tread on one or both front tires. But for the steering to exhibit so many no nos at such relatively low mileage is the sort of mystery that you want to solve soon. Even if you don’t have the money for the repairs, I think most tire and auto repair shops will put your car on the rack and inspect the front end. The mechanic can show you on the spot what parts are worn, misaligned, etc. He can also predict how close you are to cheating death. I’m wondering if the car has been in a collision.

@stanleybmanly It wouldn’t surprise me at this point. The car has been cursed since day one. I should probably check the Carfax.

Update: no accidents.

Have you had an alignment done on it yet?

@SQUEEKY2 No, next week it’s scheduled. Do you think an alignment issue could be causing the creaking sound though?

It could, but you might have a ball joint going as well,they should be able to spot that when they do the alignment.

Once the car is up on the rack, all should be revealed. And you should actually insist that the car be elevated for inspection before a wheel alignment or any other work is done. It is important that you deal with a reputable shop. Don’t be shy. A good front end man is usually willing to take you along on the tour of your car’s steering and suspension components in his/her inspection. But there is little point in having your wheels aligned only to discover that more extensive repairs are required. A wheel alignment is a quick amd rasy route to profit for an auto shop, but if the folks in the shop try to convince you that an inspection of your front end is unnecessary, go somewhere else. Let us know how this turns out.

Agree with @stanleybmanly you can’t have an alignment and with a failing/failed ball joint or steering rod end.

Sad to think those components could be failing at 55k on the vehicle but it is possible.

Hey!! How about an update on the car problem, what was it?

Update: Sorry for the delay! My husband ended up being hit by another driver (minor damage) but the car needed an alignment. The issues all went away after the car was repaired.