Jay_G

Hello everyone, I picked up an S2000 recently and am looking for some advice and guidance towards a repair. I hear a loud creaking noise every time I turn the wheel left to right. I’ve briefly jacked up the car and checked underneath from end to end to see if anything is out of place. To the extent of my knowledge, everything seems okay. I recently replaced the LCA’s and UCA’s and know these are in good order and inspected the ball joints which appear fine. I'm thinking this may be a power steering related issue but, I don’t feel any sort of hard resistance when turning in both directions, otherwise it rotates smoothly.

The creaking noise only occurs when the car is at a dead stop or if I’m pulling out of a parking spot/driveway. Once I get it rolling, I don’t hear much going on. The noise is louder on the driver side.

I plan on jacking up the car this coming weekend and can use your expertise to see what areas and components I should inspect closely. Curious if it may be as simple as greasing a certain part or replacing another part out entirely. Unsure at this point. I can use your guys help! Thanks in advance and cheers!

VIDEO LINK OF NOISE ATTACHED BELOW FOR REFERENCE - Shared via GoogleDrive

Steering Noise

B serious

This is often a sign of a lower ball joint starting to fail.

The check for it involves injecting grease into the boot to see if the noise goes away.

Basically, the old grease dries up, the polymer bearing sees wear, and then starts creaking.

Jay_G

Thanks for pointing that out, much appreciated! I'll follow up you on the weekend and let you know how it goes.

Jay_G

UPDATE

Inspected the lower ball joints and did as you said, everything appears to be in order! Thanks for your advice nonetheless, learned something new when it comes to diagnosing a failing lower ball joint.

On another note, talked to another enthusiast on the S2000 Technical forum page through FaceBook and he pointed me in the direction of the 4 tie down bolts that secure the steering rack to the car. I torqued the bolts to 32 lb(s) and solved the issue! Been testing the car out for the past two days and haven't heard a sound since.

SheDrivesIt

I suspect that steering rack has been worked on. It wouldn't normally just loosen up.

B serious

Wait...so did you inject grease into the ball joint?
As stated, that would also make the noise go away....

Anyway, I'm glad the noise is gone. And I'm sure you'll revise the thread if the noise comes back.