squeaking noise from driver side wheel/door area

When getting in and out of vehicle a squeaking sound is heard, also when turning or hitting bumps you can hear the sound. Trying to figure out what is causing the sound.

My car has 115000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello. It sounds like you have an issue with the suspension of the vehicle. Most of the time when this occurs it is caused by worn out suspension bushings or ball joints. These areas move and flex when going over bumps or when the vehicle moves like when getting in and out of it. I would usually start by getting the vehicle in the air to check these parts. In some cases of the joints and bushings are fine then it may just need a lube job done. If you are thinking of having this repaired, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose where the suspension noise is coming from] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brakes-steering-and-suspension-inspection

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

Worn, damaged, or bent suspension parts, wheels, or wheel hub bearings, caused by an accident or hitting a pothole or curb, can cause tread cupping, feathering, or scalloped wear. Any of that can make tires squeak. A trip to your repair shop is best to diagnose and correct abnormal tire wear.
Suppose you notice your car has started making a squeaking sound when you turn. In that case, there are three common culprits: a lack of lubrication in the suspension, low power-steering fluid, or friction between the steering wheel housing and the interior trim.
The most common reason as to why your suspension is squeaking is due to a lack of lubrication. Your suspension is made up of two metal and one rubber pieces, so without proper lubrication you won`t have a quiet ride.
The classic sounds of a bad wheel bearing are cyclic chirping, squealing and/or growling noise. You can also tell that the sound is related to wheel bearings if it changes in proportion to vehicle speed. The sound can get worse with every turn, or it can disappear momentarily.
Squeaking Noises

Like the clunking, you`ll likely hear this when you`re going around curves in the road or over bumps. Squeaking noise may indicate that your ball joints have gotten dirt, grime, or other debris inside of them. While a rubber gasket seals the joints, this gasket can start to break down over time.

In conclusion, silicone grease and lithium-based grease are the best options for lubricating rubber suspension bushings due to their excellent lubrication properties and compatibility with rubber.
Most of the time, squeaking noises made when driving without brakes applied are not dangerous, but they are quite unpleasant to the ears. Hence, it`s best to take care of the issue right away for the benefit of both you and others around you.
Annoying roaring or “helicopter” noises coming from the wheels are signs that your wheel bearings need replacing. The noises generally get louder at higher speeds and when the bearings are under strain while going around curves.
A high-pitched squeal when accelerating.

If you notice a loud squeal when accelerating, especially if your car is just warming up, it could be that you have a loose or worn fan belt. Usually if your fan belts are worn, it could mean your timing belt needs to be replaced as well.

Sound — Usually the first indication of worn or loose ball joints will be a faint, intermittent clunking noise that seems to be coming from a corner of your vehicle. The sound may be more pronounced when going over a bump or a dip or when going around a corner.
As they age, they sometimes can develop annoying squeaks even though there may be nothing fundamentally wrong with the bushing. The squeak you describe is likely to be coming from the upper strut mount bushing, which anchors the strut and allows the strut to rotate as you turn the wheels.
You`re hearing squeaking sounds coming from your vehicle.

Whether you`re just driving down the road, braking, or you`re running over a pothole or rough patch, if you`re hearing squeaking from your suspension then it`s time to bring your car in to have your shocks and struts inspected for wear.

A sure sign that your bearing has failed is vibration. If the raceway surface of the bearing becomes damaged by abrasion, the rolling elements (the balls or rollers) will bounce around on the raceway surface during operation, causing high levels of vibration.
If the noise becomes worse the faster you drive, then it`s almost certainly a bad wheel bearing. If the noise remains the same, then the issue may be the tires instead. The noise may be the result of an under-inflated tire or improperly aligned tires.
The most common cause of squeaking plain bearings is the so-called “stick-slip effect“. This effect occurs mainly when the plain bearing and shaft are very smooth. This is somewhat unintuitive because bearing points usually have the lowest possible coefficient of friction – i.e. should be as smooth as possible.
The noise could be from the wheel bearing, but it could also be from the brakes, or a bad outer constant velocity (CV) joint. The classic symptom of a bad wheel bearing is typically a cyclic chirping, squealing or growling noise that changes in proportion to vehicle speed.
A worn output shaft bearing can cause the output shaft to rotate unevenly and cause the drivetrain to produce excessive vibrations. The vehicle may experience excessive vibration when accelerating or cruising at a constant speed. The vibrations are also usually accompanied or preceded by noises as well.
If you hear a loud clunking noise when shifting your vehicle, this is another sign of driveshaft damage.
The most common reason is simply due to wear and tear on the parts of your car. Over time, the bearings in your steering column can become worn down, causing them to make noise when they rub against each other. Another common cause of noise from the steering wheel is due to a lack of lubrication.
Once you notice any sign indicating a bad wheel bearing, avoid exceeding 500 miles with that issue. A failing wheel bearing will increase your difficulty in driving. But with a high-quality wheel bearing, you can drive for another 1000 miles as per the estimate.
Check the brake pad for glossing over, which is a sign of and can make your car squeaking noise when turning left or right. If one of the pads is worn but not the other, there may be an issue with the way the pad was sitting, or there could be a problem with the pads sticking or frozen from bad slide pins.
Mineral oil lubricants are the most common type of lubricant used for ball bearings. These lubricants are made from refined crude oil and are affordable, widely available, and effective in reducing friction.
Applications of silicone grease

Figure 3: Silicone grease can be used to lubricate gears, valves, or machinery components such as bearings.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Driver side door lock button not working, and passenger side sliding door makes a buzzing noise
ANSWER : Hi there. These door issues are common on this vehicle. Most of the time the main issue is the master door lock switch on the driver door. It sounds like you already replaced that. As for the sliding door problem, most of the time, this is a failure within the door module or it can be a connection issue.

I typically take the door apart and check the connections on the module and inside of the door just to make sure that there is nothing apparent in there. If the connections and the wiring are fine, then I use a scan tool to check the module to see what the inputs and outputs are doing. If you need to have this looked at, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose your door problem and recommend a repair.

Having problems with door locks on 08 Cadillac CTS. Driver side door especially and will not lock or unlock with key. Others loc
ANSWER : This is often related to a malfunctioning door lock actuator, a blown fuse or a faulty power door lock switch. When you use the door lock switch in the car it sends a signal to a relay which then activates an actuator inside the door. The actuator is the final step in the process in that it is a small motor with a set of gears that actually locks and unlocks the latch mechanism inside the door allowing the door to open. When this motor is bad, the latch mechanism will fail to operate and cause the door not to unlock as it is designed to. In the case of a bad door lock relay, the power, normally needed to send the signal from the switch when you activate it to the actuator motor is not there. This means the relay is not allowing the circuit to be completed and the actuator motor is not activated. Any of the above may cause your power door lock switches not to work properly and should be diagnosed by a qualified mechanic. I would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to take a look at the door locks in your vehicle.

all doors lock only by inserting key in passenger side door and locking
ANSWER : Your central locking system may have been designed with a control module in the circuit. This is a small computer that is responsible for controlling the different functions of a particular system. It is possible that the module for your central locking system may have shorted out internally preventing particular functions from working properly. I would recommend having a certified technician test your central locking module to determine if all of its functions are working properly.

I hear an abnormal noise from front driver’s side wheel. It sounds like a wheel bearing but not sure.
ANSWER : A wheel bearing noise can be different between vehicles as some designs may vary a little. The most common is a roaring noise that may change when going around turns. It may be louder going in one direction or the other or just make a loud noise all of the time. The wheel hub presses into the wheel bearing. The hub is where the studs are for the wheel to be bolted onto the steering knuckle and the bearing provides the support for the wheel and weight of the vehicle. Consider hiring an experienced technician like one from YourMechanic who can come out and take a closer look at your wheel bearing noise to offer a more personal diagnosis.

Door unlocked alarm, no power window or door lock on driver door only, interior light comes on with L turn signa
ANSWER : Hi there. In general, wiring harnesses are sold by the manufacturer as a whole harness; not individual wires. It is much easier, cost-efficient and safer to replace the entire harness if it’s determined that it is faulty and the source of your alarm / door issue. It would be best to have one of our mobile mechanics come to your location and complete an electrical problems inspection though, as it’s possible that this issue is related to an error code trapped in the ECU. If this is the case, simply clearing the code will resolve the problem. If the issue is determined to be the wiring harness or an exposed wire, they can recommend and most likely complete the repairs as well.

Loud repetitive noise coming from front tire in 2 wheel drive, goes away when in 4 wheel drive.
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. Chances are there was an existing issue that was amplified by the tire rotation. There are several parts that will cause similar symptoms. You will want to consider the parts that are under load in 4wd, that are free when in 2wd. This would include the axle and sveral joints. There are a couple of tests that can be done. More damage was likely done driving on dry pavement in 4wd. It was a good step in diagnostics, but should be avoided. For more help with diagnosing the sounds, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.

Driver’s side door won’t open from outside
ANSWER : Hello. This is a common issue. The door handles are linked to the latch assembly via metal rods. The rods are inserted into the door handle which is made of plastic. Over time, the plastic part of the door handle where the rod is located breaks. The repair is a complete door handle replacement. Some vehicle have updated parts where the stress point of the handle is now metal. A mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, will be able to inspect the door issue for you and confirm if this is in fact the issue.

I hear a loud clicking noise on the drivers side by my tire rim when turning the steering wheel front tires vibrating as well.
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.