Drivers have all been in the situation where they are turning a corner and their car suddenly makes a racket. Whether it’s a grinding noise or a strange squeak, it can be a worrying sound that you can’t help but be conscious of. One particular sound car owners can experience is their vehicle making a noise when turning right, but not when turning left. Many different problems can be the cause of this issue, and although it may be an unsettling sound, it can usually be easily fixed.
One potential cause of the problem lies in the suspension or steering component of your car. If a component of these systems has gone wrong or is faulty, it can start making strange noises when turning in certain directions. The suspension and steering systems power the car’s ability to turn. Both systems rely on different components to make them work, including lots of parts which can wear out over time. One of the parts which could be causing the noise when turning right, but not left are the tie rod ends. These are parts which connect the steering wheel to the wheels on the car, and they allow the steering wheel to turn the wheels to make driving easier. Over time these can become worn out and this can lead to the car making rattling or squeaking noises when turning right, but not left.
Another potential cause of this strange sound when turning right, but not left, can be the brakes. By pushing down on the brakes, car tires usually wear down a bit on the edges. If this is occurring unevenly, a strange noise can be created when turning. This type of noise can occur both when turning left and right, but it can be more noticeable when turning right due to the way some brakes are typically designed. The brakes on the car generally have a “curved slipping point” when pressing down on them. This means that the brake will begin to slow the car down at a certain rate, and then begin to slip if it is pushed further. This slipping can cause the brakes to make noises and this can be more noticeable when turning right than left due to the direction the car turns in which the brakes have to stop it.
Other causes of this problem can include faulty wheel bearings, warped drive shafts, worn out CV joints, and other various parts. Wheel bearing faults can lead to the car making a weird grinding sound when driving, with the sound becoming more noticeable at higher speeds. If the drive shaft is bent or otherwise damaged, it can make a clunking sound when turning right, but not when turning left. Worn-out CV joints can cause the car to make clanking noises when cornering, but this can usually be heard when going in either direction.
These are just a few of the potential problems which could be causing your car to make a noise when turning right, but not left. To determine what the exact issue may be, it’s best to take your car to a trusted mechanic or a dealership to have it properly assessed. They should be able to diagnose the problem and provide you with a solution to make sure your car is up and running smoothly once again.