My front left tire screeches every time I turn the steering wheel

ANSWER : A clicking noise on turning is very characteristic of a failed outboard CV axle joint. Sometimes, in such a circumstance, you can see that the rubber outboard boot is actually torn and leaking grease. If you see that (look behind the wheel toward the axle end), the axle for sure will have to be serviced. If you change the axle, be sure to install a new rubber seal on the transmission output side so that you do not have transmission fluid leaks with the new axle (a common mistake is to overlook that seal; if an old, left-in-place seal leaks after the axle is put in the job has to be done all over again). Vibration without actual shaking of the steering wheel "might" be related to the axle issue. On the other hand, such vibration could also be due to a failed wheel bearing, especially with over 200,000 miles on the vehicle and if those are the original bearings. If you were to need both an axle and a wheel bearing at the same time, and on the same side, that’s actually not that bad because the steering knuckle that holds the wheel bearing has to come off anyway to replace the axle. But, backing up here, the very first thing to do is get the issue properly diagnosed so you spend the minimum possible. If you want to obtain a diagnostic, please request a vehicle CV/wheel bearing noise inspection and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

ANSWER : The problem to me sounds like you have worn out bushings that hold the power steering rack and pinion assembly. This is why your steering wheel gets off center in the direction of the turn. Have the steering inspected and the bushings replaced if they are bad. You should have no problems then.

ANSWER : Hi there. From the description you have provided, concerning your vehicle’s steering wheel is locked far right and key won’t turn with the front wheels in a forward default position, is somewhat confusing to me. It could be, undo pressure is being applied to the steering wheel lock. You could try, physically moving the left front tire side to side in either direction, to relieve the pressure on the steering wheel lock. It could be, the key you are using has a problem, try another key if available. It could be, the ignition lock cylinder is at fault. I recommend having your vehicle’s can’t turn the key be diagnosed and repaired by a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic.

ANSWER : Your description could cover a number of things. If it makes the sound when the car is not in motion, you may have a problem with the power steering belt. If the sound only occurs only when the car is moving, you may have some hardware in the brakes scraping against the rotor or you may even have just barely worn to the level of the "Noisemaker" which is a strip of steel designed to do just that, make noise when your brakes are nearly worn out. That the noise occurs in a turn depends on the side stresses on the rotors. If it is the noisemaker, it will get worse until it’s happening anytime you apply the brakes. On the other hand, there are a few other components that can give you some noise in a turn, wheel bearings or CV’s are some, but the noise they make is rarely described as a screech. The rubber piece you see leaking fluid may be a CV boot or it may be a ball joint boot. The only way to tell for sure is to have a technician check it out. If you contact Your Mechanic, they will send a technician to your home or office to check out your car and tell you what needs to be done.

ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. Checking the brakes was a great place to start. At this point the first thing we need to find out is if symptoms happen always, or only when driving over bumpy roads. If you feel it only when going over bumps, you want to check the suspension. If the suspension is not up to par on the vehicle, you will feel and fight those forces in the steering wheel. You can perform a bounce test, and do a visual inspection to see if the suspension shows any signs of leakage or damage. This would include the ball joints. If the suspension seems to be okay, you want to turn your attention to the rack and pinion. For more help with diagnostics and resolving the issue, contact our service department.

ANSWER : The steering lock may not be unlocking either due to a faulty ignition lock housing or more commonly as the cars age a faulty spring at the steering wheel on the under side of the column. If the ignition lock housing is the issue the housing can be replaced. It s a bit tricky as the mounting bolt has break off heads and generally need to be driven out with a punch. If the lock is not disengaging because of a faulty spring on the ignition lock many owners have had the spring removed by having it drilled out of the housing. However, removing the spring may permanently disable the steering lock. The last option would be to replace the steering column. You may want to enlist the help of a mechanic who can recommend the proper repair for your situation.

ANSWER : Hi there. It sounds like part of the suspension was bent when the accident occurred. From what you are explaining most of the time the strut or the lower control arm gets bent and causes this. If you want to have this steering problem checked, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to inspect the suspension for damage and guide you in the right direction for completing the repairs.

ANSWER : Hello. It sounds like the steering gear box and/or the power steering pump is going bad. The steering gear box is what is allowing the wheels to turn left and right when using the steering wheel. There are gears and other moving parts in the gear box that can get binded up or get stuck. The power steering pump also has internal parts that wear out and may make steering difficult. Have a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, inspect the steering system and make the necessary repairs.