Dedicated to all owners of front wheel drive vehicles. Sooner or later, the front-wheel drive can be heard - a crunch when turning. That is, you turn at speed, but you have something crunching and knocking on the right or left. What is it and why is this happening, let's figure it out ... ..

Crunch when cornering - means one thing, you have broken the CV joint of the drive wheel or in simple language "grenade". Don't know what a grenade / CV joint is? Let's start with a definition.

- a hinge of equal angular speeds, transmits torque from the engine to the wheel of the car, 90% is used in the front drive of the car, and only 10% in the rear. Creation in the automotive industry was necessary, because with its help the car can turn the wheels at an angle of up to 70 degrees. Before the front CV joint, automakers used a cardan transmission, namely a cardan joint. But the cardan joint has significant drawbacks in its structure. Firstly, this is a rotation angle of only 35 degrees, a larger angle of rotation loaded the cardan joint, many times more, so this design often failed. Secondly, another weak link in the driveline is the crosspieces, complex needle bearings, which also do not differ in strength. Thirdly, the cardan transmission, which is expensive to manufacture. Therefore, the appearance was perceived, as they say, with a bang. There are four types of SHRUS (ball, tripod, croutons and coupled cardan joints). But the most widespread are ball bearings, they are used in front-wheel drive cars. In order for you to imagine the work of the ball joint, I am spreading this animation.

The only and, perhaps, one of the most significant disadvantages of such a "grenade" is the protection from dirt. The CV joint is closed in a rubber, and now a silicone boot, if it breaks, the device will fail very quickly (crunch).

And so we smoothly came to why the CV joint crunches. One of the prerequisites for breakage is an anther rush,

since this system must be closed, dust and dirt, if they hit, on the moving parts themselves (balls and their grooves), provoke additional wear, respectively, with a lot of wear, the structure itself breaks and loses its strength. Therefore, check the anthers at least once a month. If you still hear a crunch when turning, know your "grenade" has already broken down and needs to be replaced, if this is not done, then the CV joint will simply jam.

It is very easy to check the CV joint, as they say for "crunch", when buying a car. Turn the steering wheel to the right until it stops, and drive off, if you hear a crunch when turning, it is better to refuse to buy such a car. Do the same for the left side. Remember - a crunch when cornering means a breakdown of a very important part of a front-wheel drive car, a CV joint or, among the people, a "grenade". If you have skills and abilities, then change the "grenade" yourself, if not, then urgently to the station.

That's all I think, helped to determine the breakdown, sincerely yours

If there is a knock, hum, squeak or rattle when you turn the steering wheel, this is, in fact, not always a problem that needs to be addressed. So, cars with power steering make noise quite often (a kind of low hum) when turning the steering wheel, and this is a feature of power steering. It's another matter if this rumble turns into a grinding, creak, or even a knock, or just intensifies - then there is a chance that you will have to contact a mechanic.

Can you describe the noise? Is it crunching, squealing, hum, knocking, grinding and so on when you turn the steering wheel? It is very important that you can correctly characterize this type of sound. In any case, below for each of the symptoms, we will consider additional clues to finding the exact problem. But you still need to take into account the following nuances of this noise:

1. What is the nature of this noise: knocking, grinding, hum, crunching, creaking or something else?
2. Does the noise appear only when turning the steering wheel, when entering a turn, or under any other circumstances and actions?
3. Does the noise always appear or does it depend on the weather, humidity, warming up of the suspension / steering components, vehicle load, etc.?
4. Sounds when you turn the steering wheel to the left or right, or both directions?
5. What additional symptoms or problems do this noise cause?

The answers to all these questions will provide valuable information for the correct diagnosis of steering noise.

The front of your vehicle has many different tasks:

• prevents the car from rolling when cornering;
• moves wheels up and down for shock absorption;
• allows you to turn the wheels by the steering wheel;
• transfers power from the engine to the wheels, driving the car in front-wheel drive cars.

With all this in mind, there are many reasons for the front suspension and steering mechanisms to wear out. Fortunately, as these components wear out, many of them start making strange noises warning them that they must be replaced, lubricated, or fixed. However, by the time they start making noise, they are usually very close to failure, so it is best to diagnose this or that unit as soon as possible. Some sounds made when you turn the steering wheel are like knocking, others like creaking, still others like hum, and so on.

Here is a list of all the noises your car can make when you turn the steering wheel and the possible problems associated with them. These are the places where you should start your diagnosis, but remember, this is not an exhaustive list of possible causes. So, what could be the reasons for knocks, squeaks, hums when turning the steering wheel?

Hum while turning the steering wheel in place

This kind of noise when turning the steering wheel when the vehicle is stationary is typical for vehicles with power steering (PAS). And this is a normal condition for any car with power steering. If you got into the car for the first time and hear this quiet hum, then know that it will accompany you quite often. In very rare cases, a hum can appear only when the steering wheel is turned in one direction: left or right.

However, if you have owned a car for a long time, and the hum has obviously become louder, appears not only when you turn the steering wheel in place, but also on the move, then you may need to check the power steering. Do not worry, the most common problem with a symptom such as hum when turning the steering wheel is easily solved by topping up the power steering fluid. Just check its level under the hood (a special tank with marks for the minimum and maximum fluid levels and identification in most cases that this is the power steering fluid). A low fluid level may indicate a possible leak, so after topping up, check the fluid level at least once a week.

Power steering in the steering system

Other problems with such a symptom may be a faulty power steering pump, air that has entered the power steering system, or a weakened power steering belt. In this case, only a specialized service will help.

Almost all of these power steering malfunctions are manifested, in addition to the hum when turning the steering wheel, even more difficult turning this steering wheel itself.

Knock when turning the car in motion

The next symptom is a characteristic knock when you enter a corner. Moreover, the knock can be the stronger, the smaller the turning angle and the worse the road. Such a knock is typical for worn out shock absorber struts - they simply stopped working properly and must be replaced. Due to the fact that shock absorbers on one axis do not always wear evenly, knocking is usually accompanied when turning in one direction, but not in the other.

Shock absorber shown schematically

Another symptom, in addition to knocking when entering corners, characteristic of this malfunction is the appearance of knocking on uneven surfaces, including when driving in a straight line. The fact is that the load on the shock absorbers increases precisely in the turn, and at the same time they knock more often. Also pay attention to the presence of wet spots on the shock absorbers - this may indicate a leak.

If your car is more than one year old, it already has an impressive mileage (we will not give numbers, since the struts can become unusable for different models in different ways, and, in addition, many other factors affect this), it has shock absorbers are at risk (the disease of your model, which can be found on a thematic forum, for example, or from a dealer), it is quite possible that shock absorbers are the cause of knocking when cornering. You can check this by visiting a professional mechanic.

Knock when turning the steering wheel with steering play

Although the steering joints do not require maintenance for almost the entire service life of the car, they still wear out on our roads. The main symptom of wear on the steering joints is their weakening with the appearance of backlash and a characteristic but quiet knock at the very beginning of the steering wheel turn. The most accurate determination of the cause of such a knock when turning is possible by standing on a flat spot in the parking lot and trying to turn the steering wheel from side to side - first with small movements of the steering wheel, and then more and more, until the backlash and knock are determined. You can also get out of the car, look at the wheels and do the same work with the steering wheel through an open car window or door. If you see that the wheels remain motionless when the steering wheel is twisted by small amplitudes, then a backlash has appeared in the steering system, which must be eliminated.

You can defeat this malfunction by diagnosing all the hinges with a specialist for wear and play, and replacing the worn out hinges and joints and tightening the corresponding mechanisms that give the steering wheel play.

Squeaking or grinding noise when turning the steering wheel both in place and in motion

Another noise that can be heard when it comes from the steering wheel and responds to steering movements is squeaking or grinding. These sounds are usually also a symptom of worn joints in the steering system or front suspension. As in the previous case, it is necessary to diagnose the connections in the steering or suspension and replace them as necessary.

But the most common problem with this symptom is worn out steering tips or a lack of lubrication in them.

Also, the cause of a squeak (sometimes to a crunch) when turning the steering wheel, regardless of whether the car is standing or driving, may be the support bearings of the strut or lower ball joints. In the latter case, an additional symptom is wheel play when the vehicle is suspended.

Cornering crunch in front-wheel drive cars

It also happens that the car already crunches when entering a turn. Moreover, the steeper the turn and the higher the speed, the more characteristic and louder the crunch is. It seems that this crunch does not depend on the steering wheel turn, but comes precisely during the turning maneuver on the road and is emitted from under the wheel on which the load falls - that is, the wheels on the outside of the turning path. At the same time, the crunch most often occurs when turning only in any specific direction: to the right or to the left.

This crunch is typical only for front wheel drive or all wheel drive vehicles. And the reason for the crunch when turning the car is the CV joint, better known in the common people as a "grenade".

The CV joint is a joint that allows the front wheel to turn in all directions at a specific angle while maintaining a constant axle speed. Since the CV joint is constantly spinning and experiencing serious stress, sometimes it wears out and must be replaced.

The insides of the CV joint

You can check the condition of the grenades in the car by turning the steering wheel all the way and slowly and then driving the car a little faster in a circle - first in one direction, then in the other. If you hear a crunch with this maneuver, then your CV joint is worn out. Please note that if such a crunch is also accompanied by vibration, then the car should be taken to a specialist as soon as possible.

Garnet (highlighted in red) in the anther

The grenade must always work inside the boot, which protects it from dirt and dust from entering the system. It often wears out due to damage to this anther. And the crunch of a grenade is nothing more than grinding particles of dirt inside it or crumbled grenade bearings.

Your car is an extremely complex system, and suspension steering systems are made up of many components and vary in structure, type of operation and component parts from model to model, and often even from modification to modification of the same model. Therefore, this or that noise can indicate not only everything that we have given above. Often all kinds of sounds are emitted by the steering column, steering rack, steering knuckles, shock absorbers and hinges. Even an elementary part that has fallen off or weakened completely unrelated to the steering or suspension of the system can, for example, begin to touch the elements of the steering system or suspension when turning the steering wheel or on bumps, respectively.

Nevertheless, the optimal course of action in the event of the appearance of this or that extraneous noise when turning the steering wheel or the entire machine is first of all to identify additional symptoms of noise (steering to the side, more accurate identification of sounds). Next, you should inspect all the anthers of the steering system and suspension under the car, check the steering wheel, and then the wheels for play.

What if I hear a crunch when turning the steering wheel? First of all, you need to understand the general structure of the steering mechanism of a modern car. This will allow beginners to understand what is allowed during its operation, and what is strictly prohibited, thanks to this information it will be possible to save some amount of money.

When you turn the steering wheel, a crunch is heard, which may be accompanied by slight vibration or other signs... Is this a malfunction, is it worth worrying about? So, what is the design of the steering mechanism.

The main functions that are assigned to this unit: the transfer of power from the steering wheel to the turning wheels, for this, automakers began to implement. Also, the steering mechanism ensures that the steering wheel returns to its original position if the load on it has disappeared.

Device

This mechanism is a gearbox with a set of gears. Among the steering rods, there are worm-gear, rack-and-pinion and screw type. The most common of these three is the rack and pinion mechanism.

It is installed on modern cars, the essence of its work lies in the fact that by turning the steering wheel, the force is transmitted to the rail, which goes to the left or to the right, depending on the direction of rotation... But need to understand, the design features of this mechanism, force manufacturers to install it only on cars equipped with front-wheel drive, while their suspension must be independent.

The worm gear is based on the so-called worm - screw shaft... The essence of his work lies in the fact that the steering wheel makes a special roller move along the groove of the worm, shifting it.

This movement transmitted to swivel wheels... I would like to note the fact that this mechanism is difficult to manufacture, expensive to maintain, because has a mass of connections in its design and calibration is required over time.

However, among the advantages, it is possible to note a large angle of rotation of the wheels, which provides excellent maneuverability of the car, it is also not afraid of impacts on the steering wheels, which allows it to be used on special equipment and off-road cars, buses, etc.
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The screw mechanism has a complex design, according to the principle of operation it is very similar to the worm-type steering rods.

This type of mechanism differs from the previous ones, that it has a high level of efficiency, that is, the driver's effort is realized more efficiently.

The expensive segment of cars is equipped with exactly this type of steering rods, it can also be found in heavy and cargo vehicles.

Crunching steering gear

Sometimes when the steering wheel is turned in different directions, it usually does not depend on the side of the turn, an uncharacteristic sound is heard - a crunch. Feels like it might resemble the friction of an elastic band on plastic. Some car owners, who understand a little about the steering mechanism, put an end to the rail.

On different brands and models of cars, the price for this repair varies, but it is considered expensive. But don't jump to conclusions, sometimes the problem lurks on the surface.

You need to drive the car to the stand in a car repair shop, carry out diagnostics. Most likely the problem lies in support bearings... I would like to note for car owners who are still under warranty service - this case is just the same under warranty.

If you are not particularly versed in cars or just do not want to mess around with replacing bearings, then it is better to entrust this to the masters. But remember, if a crunch is heard when turning the steering wheel, there may be a lot of reasons, contacting the workshop remember that careless auto repairmen can trick you into expensive repairs.

If a crunch is heard when turning the steering wheel, it is urgent to find the cause and eliminate it, as this can lead to serious consequences. Steering plays an important role in the design of your car, as your safety depends on how well it works. Malfunctions of this system can lead to costly repairs, as well as an emergency on the road.

A steering system that has a malfunction must be immediately brought into working condition at the first signs of a problem. A popular malfunction is the crunching sound when turning the steering wheel in motion. Having found this malfunction, you can not delay the repair of this mechanism. But first you need to make a diagnosis. Someone immediately goes to a car repair shop, another repairs his "iron horse" with his own hands.

Both of these car owners made the right decision in their own way, as there are advantages and disadvantages in both cases. If we talk about the repair and diagnostics of the steering mechanism at the service station, then the main advantages of such treatment are that it is possible to diagnose the malfunction efficiently and quickly, and also to eliminate it quite quickly. The downside is the waste of money, and the steering is expensive and costly to repair, so you should think carefully before going to a car service.

This work is quite difficult, since when the steering wheel is turned, not only the steering mechanism works, but also many other nodes: CV joints, steering tips and rods, wheels, etc., so it is difficult to immediately tell where the crunching appears when the steering wheel rotates. It may not be steering related.

When you turn the steering wheel while driving, a crunch is heard. From the very beginning, the thought arises that this is a malfunction of the angular velocity joints, simply called grenades.

The steering action is performed without extraneous noise and sounds, but if this system is damaged, a specific sound similar to a crunch often appears. He lets the driver know that in the near future such symptoms will lead to unpleasant moments:

• The CV joint can suddenly fly out of the saddle and harm the car engine.
• The traction with the wheel can fly out, leading to an accident on the road.
• Along with the sounds, the car vibrates when the wheel is turned to the end.
• When turning, the wheel begins to brake and slide along the road.
• Slow release of steering and blocking of the entire mechanism.

If there is extraneous noise and sounds from the car, you need to immediately find out the cause of its occurrence and quickly take measures to eliminate it. In this case, to resume the operation of the steering, it is necessary to install a serviceable part together with new anthers.

An experienced car owner can quickly distinguish between the crunch of a grenade and the noise coming from the steering rack. This does not happen often, but this occurrence cannot be ruled out. Such a malfunction is characterized by the following factors:

• Crunch when turning the steering wheel in place.
• Vibration of the steering wheel when driving on a flat road surface.
• The car does not obey the steering wheel well.
• When turning the steering wheel, a lot of effort is required, or vice versa, too easy.
• On a muffled engine, when the steering wheel is turned all the way to one side, a metallic click is heard, there is a slight backlash.

If such breakdowns are detected, they must be quickly eliminated. Most often, the steering rack needs to be replaced with a new one, but there are professional craftsmen who can sort out this unit and prolong its work. This solution is not used in practice by ordinary car owners, since after restoration this unit will not work for a long time. Therefore, it is better and easier to completely replace it with a new product.

It is very difficult to replace the steering rack yourself, so it is advisable to contact a car repair shop.

A crunch or squeak is heard directly in the passenger compartment and is not related to the steering mechanism. Most often, such a malfunction occurs in inexpensive car brands due to poor-quality processing of body parts. The reason lies in the friction of the steering wheel against the plastic, the laxity of various mountings, for example, a signal device.

This malfunction does not require much effort to solve the problem. The steering wheel must be disassembled and dismantled, if necessary, the upper part of the plastic elements of the steering column is cleaned.

Steering column

In this mechanism, the crunch can be emitted from the following sources:

• The body is made of cheap plastic in inexpensive cars.
• Extraneous noise can be emitted from the steering column clutch, which can be eliminated by adding a certain amount of grease, the type of which depends on what material the clutch is made of.
• The crosspiece of the column, called the cardan, rubs against the boot located near the driver's feet, where the column goes into the engine compartment. Cracking may occur after repair due to slight misalignment of parts. The problem is solved by adding grease, or WD-40.
• The steering column may be bent. A squeak appears on the surface, auxiliary signs are: shock, vibration on the steering wheel. This malfunction is eliminated by replacing the entire mechanism with a new unit, although a small noise indicates a minor malfunction.

Crunch from other parts

Grinding, crunching and squeaking causes increased wear on steering parts:

• Lack of lubricant or sand that has penetrated into bearings, steering knuckles will appear in the form of a whistle or squeak, as well as excessive heating of the bearings. This malfunction is eliminated by adding grease to the mechanism where the creak comes from.

In the steering mechanism, where it is mounted, it is the most noisy mechanism. When you turn the steering wheel of a stationary car, a specific noise is emitted from it. An increase in this sound indicates that the fluid level in the power steering is insufficient. This issue is solved by adding liquid to the expansion tank.

Other extraneous sounds such as whistling or squeaking indicate serious malfunctions. Their causes may be wear of the power steering belt, or its weakening, air penetration into the system, breakdown of the power steering pump. It is advisable to identify and repair them in car repair services.

If, after checking the mechanisms that are considered, the cause of the crunch is not clarified, then it is necessary to carry out subsequent diagnostics of the lower units of the machine. At the same time, this work should not be postponed, since the crunch can turn into serious negative consequences that are not comparable to the safety of driving a car.

When the steering column is turned, the hub bearing may crackle. But most often it hums when the car reaches a certain speed. This condition is easily verified. To do this, together with the assistant, perform the following actions:

1. Lift the wheel to be checked on a jack or hoist. At this time, the vehicle should be secured with wheel chocks.
2. Squeeze out the parking brake actuator as much as possible and make sure that the rest of the wheels are firmly on the ground
3. Start the engine and engage second gear, release the clutch pedal.
4. Wait until the suspended wheel picks up speed, switch to neutral, turn off the engine and listen to the sounds coming from the rotation of the wheel.
5. If the hub bearing is defective, it will crackle or hum until it stops. If the bearing is serviceable, then only the sounds of friction of the suspension parts with each other will be heard.

This procedure is allowed only on vehicles with front-wheel drive, without all-wheel drive or the ability to lock the differential.

Timely detection and elimination of a malfunction associated with the occurrence of a crunch and the appearance of various sounds can increase the life of the corresponding nodes, which can fail in the event of a malfunction. With the quick identification of a damaged CV joint cover, you can quickly replace it, and protect the grenade from dust and sand penetration into it, which requires much less financial costs.

Also, if you hear a crunch when you turn the steering wheel, and you quickly find it, this will make your life safer. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically check the condition of the car, which is much cheaper than making repairs and replacing expensive parts.

Various kinds of noise can come from the tires of the wheels when driving or turning the steering wheel. In this case, the most common problem is the wrong geometry of the front wheels. Here you need to adjust the wheel alignment and correct the position.

Incorrectly set wheel angles negatively affect tires, which will wear unevenly and fail faster than at normal angles.

This is a popular problem with crunching rubber-to-metal joints, especially in hot summer weather. At elevated air temperatures, silent blocks can creak, which indicates the need to check and replace them.

The creak or crunch of silent blocks on a summer day occurs due to the drying out of the hinges. The main material of these assemblies is rubber. At elevated temperatures, it dries out and decreases in volume, especially if these nodes are already old.

There is no particular danger in the crunch of silent blocks until the rubber breaks. It is necessary to remove the silent blocks and make a visual inspection. If cracks or damage are found, they should be replaced. If no problems are found, then they should be put in their place and continue to enjoy driving the car, hoping that soon the air will become cooler and the creak will disappear.

If there are certain problems in the steering of the car, you should immediately fix them, otherwise delay can lead to the fact that the most important system of your car will malfunction and stop functioning normally. If it breaks down abruptly and directly while driving, then serious troubles in the form of loss of control and other not very successful consequences are not excluded. A crunch when you turn the steering wheel can mean several problems, each of which should be given special attention when diagnosing. Self-correction or contacting a specialized service is up to you. The car will definitely need good diagnostics, so the service has many advantages in this case.

A good service station will help you do a really good research on every chassis and steering assembly to get reliable answers to the question of what caused the crunch. Turning the steering wheel affects more than just the steering rack. In this process, the steering tips are included in the work, as well as the rods that pull on the chassis elements. Therefore, a knock or crunch in the steering wheel does not always mean problems with the steering mechanism. This can give away troubles with the chassis. Today we will look at three of the most common steering wheel crunching problems.

CV joint is one of the likely culprits for steering wheel crunch

The steering gear does not often make sounds like a crunch, but for the CV joint it is the main indicator of a possible malfunction. Therefore, it is this breakdown that should be checked first. If it crunches when turning in motion, it means that in 90% of cases, the CV joint, also called a grenade, will be the culprit. This mechanism has a direct connection to the steering gear. When the steering wheel is turned to the maximum possible angle and a uniform slow motion with a broken grenade, a crunch occurs, which increases over time. This problem can only be dealt with by replacing it, which is quite difficult. The consequences of untimely repairs can be as follows:

• gradual complete failure of the grenade and the refusal of this unit to perform its functions;
• when turning, the wheel begins to slip or slow down, depending on the nature of the breakdown;
• the crunch increases and no longer seems so harmless for the driver and passengers of the car;
• along with the crunch, a slight bouncing of the car appears when turning to the maximum degree;
• the thrust from the engine has every chance of simply flying out of the mount with the wheel, which will make further movement impossible;
• with a sharp drop out of a grenade from its workplace, a drop in engine load is possible.

You should not bring the breakdown to this stage and check what can actually happen to the power unit. It is much better to simply eliminate the cause of the crunch and forget that such a problem was present. Few motorists have experienced on themselves what a too neglected problem with the CV joint means, and the reviews about this experience are not the most flattering. If during a turn in your car there is a crunch in the steering area or clearly on the wheels, you just need to replace the grenade with a new one. This is done at any service that serves your car brand.

Steering rack - a peculiar crunch and does not appear often

Some BMW models in the late 90s had a certain technical subtlety - they sometimes crunched steering racks. It's not even a breakdown, it's just that the rail had such a design feature. However, the Bavarians never had a relationship with Reiki at all. But not for some of them this node causes certain problems. Problems with the steering rack occur in almost all cars, this unit serves no more than 250-300 thousand kilometers. With such a resource, almost every car has to deal with reiki problems. Moreover, in some cases the mechanism can fail much faster. The main signs of a broken steering rack are:

• crunching can be during the entire steering wheel travel or at certain intervals during rotation;
• knocks are heard not just under the hood of the car, but directly in the steering wheel, vibration is felt on the hands;
• on the muffled engine, a knock is heard in the extreme positions when checking the free wheeling of the steering wheel;
• the features of the steering change, there is stiffness or, on the contrary, excessive ease in turning the steering wheel;
• there are problems in management, the car does not always react to the steering wheel turn in the right way.

If such problems are present in your car, you should work with the steering rack. Unfortunately, the design of the steering gear on modern cars is such that in most cases the rack will have to be changed. This is an important point that should be applied almost always. Repair of the steering rack is short-lived, so it can be economically unprofitable and not very pleasant for further operation. It is best to change the rail, and you may not be able to do it yourself in the garage, especially on cars with power steering and other control additions.

Undercarriage, bearings and other rare crunch options

When you check all the possible reasons for the crunch when cornering, you can safely say that the problem lies only in the chassis. Of course, it is quite difficult to find problems with the chassis, for this it is also better to use professional diagnostics. Crunching is the prerogative of the bearings, but the only type of undercarriage that can crunch is the hub bearing. However, they often buzz when they fail at a certain speed than crunch. If you want to diagnose wheel bearings, you can do it as follows:

• lift one side in front of the car on a jack and secure the car well with stands;
• put the car on the handbrake, and also make sure that the three wheels are firmly on the base;
• get behind the wheel or put your assistant so that he performs certain actions to spin the wheel;
• after that you need to start the car, turn on the second speed and smoothly release the clutch pedal, giving a little gas;
• note that such actions cannot be carried out on vehicles with four-wheel drive and center differential lock;
• after that, you need to turn off the engine and allow the wheel to turn at a sufficiently high speed;
• if the bearing on this wheel is faulty, it will definitely tell you about it with an abundant hum;
• with a working bearing, only the sound of friction of the metal parts of the suspension will be heard.

This is a fairly simple way to diagnose wheel bearings and it doesn't take too long. To implement such a test, it is not necessary to have an assistant; you can conduct all the tests yourself. To do this, you need to quickly get out of the car while the wheel is spinning. Best of all, the rumble from broken bearings is heard near the wheel. However, sometimes the wheel bearings hum throughout the garage, then it is better to replace them before it's too late. Completely decaying wheel bearings will cause serious damage to the entire undercarriage. Therefore, you should pay special attention to fixing problems if any. We suggest watching a short video describing the cause and elimination of the problem with knocking and crunching when turning the steering wheel:

Summing up

If you think that crunching when turning the steering wheel is not such a serious problem, find out the opinion of those drivers who have encountered its consequences due to poor-quality repairs or no restoration at all. After a detailed study of the problem, it turns out that you are not getting the best operating conditions for the car, and if you wait and do not repair the car, you even expose yourself to a certain danger. Your best bet is to find the cause of the crunch right away and fix it completely.

In this case, we are often talking about the safety of the trip, because the best option would be a trip to a professional service station and solving all problems by installing factory spare parts. Crunching always means breaking a specific control, chassis or other components. Therefore, do not think that this manifestation will pass by itself. Just keep yourself safe and have more confidence on every trip. What problems in your experience have shown a crunching sound in the steering area?