Car: Clicking/whining when turning while cold

[Reel]

92' Camry

When I turn the wheel when pulling out of a parking spot, the car (wheels or perhaps steering column) makes a clicking and whining sound. It is definitely related to the turn because if I straighten out or stop, the sound goes away. After a few seconds and once I start moving, it doesn't make the sounds anymore. It only does it right when I start the car.

For example, it made the sounds this morning. Then, I parked for an hour and the sounds were there again. After driving, the sounds went away.

I checked the power steering fluid and the levels seemed fine. I had the CV joints replaced in spring so I have my suspicions that something went wrong with that but it is only when I start the car and turn not every turn.

Thanks for any help.

 

[NutBucket]

CV joint is shot. Probably a poor rebuild (very likely if its from your average parts store).

 

[Reel]

Damn. That is what I was afraid to hear. I wonder if they gave me a warranty or guarantee on it. I got it a chain store around the corner. Time to go find the receipt.

 

[NutBucket]

Well autozone has lifetime replacement on those. I've gone through like 8 of 'em myself. Most of the time they were bad right out of the box.

 

[Reel]

I just pulled the paper. It is Tires Plus and they give a 3 month/3000 mile guarantee. It has been about 5000 miles and 8 months. I wish I had thought about that guarantee when I bought it.

 

[Colt45]

Yeah, sounds like a CV to me.

clickety-clackety.

 

[psteng19]

I don't think it's the CV joints.
He mentions it only happens when cold.
CV joints would do that regardless of temperature.

 

[jagec]

The bad news is that it's your CV joints.

The good news is that CV joints last for thousands and thousands of miles after they start clicking.

I believe I put 50,000 miles on my Celica, all with bad CV joints...the previous owner(s) probably put an additional 20k or so from when they started clicking.

 

[Reel]

Good news for me. The bill didn't explicitly state that it had a lifetime warranty but I called and they do. I am going to take it in and have it checked out. Thanks for the advice. I hope you guys are all right about the CV. I don't want to spend the money for something else to have broken.

 

[Reel]

Well, it turns out that my "belts" were loose. I assume that means some belts relating to my power steering or something. Anyhow, they fixed it and all in 20 minutes and didn't charge me for it.