Your car is making creaking noise when driving slow because of worn-out suspension components, bad wheel bearings, and damaged brake pads. Besides, the vehicle will produce a squeaking noise if the calipers get stuck or lack lubrication in the braking system.
In this automotive guide, I will break down everything you need to know to stop the creaking noise. So, stay in tune with us till the end.
Table of Contents
Why Is My Car Making Creaking Noise When Driving Slow [7 Reasons To Fix]
This chapter will disclose those culprits that cause your vehicle to produce squeaking noise.
Note: You can also read how to fix popping noise when driving straight.
1. Worn-Out Suspension Components
A lot of issues work behind a creaking noise when you drive your car slowly. And worn suspension components are a few of them. Links, ball joints, springs, and bushes are the parts of the suspension.
What I recommend you to do first is to inspect the suspension area and identify where the sound is coming from. Suspension creaking at low speeds is the result of worn-out ball joints, damaged suspension bushes, and damaged suspension springs.
For example, the suspension springs move with the movement of the wheel and absorb the shocks coming out of the road surface. If they wear out, the springs can’t absorb the bumps and creak as a result.
How To Fix:
Inspecting the suspension area is a must. You can watch the following video to learn how to inspect the suspension area of your car:
Replace every component that goes bad or wears out. It is highly recommended to bring your car to a professional mechanic to test the suspension system of your car.
2. Wheel Bearing Goes Out
Car making creaking noise when turning! Then, defective wheel bearings are the culprits behind this issue. The sound will be noticeable when you make a turn.
If it creaks when turning your vehicle left, we bet the right bearing gets worn out. On the other hand, the left bearing is at fault if it squeals when turning the car right.
The most prominent sign of worn-out wheel bearings is the sound will change in proportion to car speed. Generally, wheel bearings will wear out if dirt or contaminants make their way into the seal and enter the bearing.
How To Fix:
None but replacing the worn-out wheel bearing is the only solution to stop the creaking noise. If you are mechanically inclined, you can check the below tutorial to change the wheel bearing, Alternatively, you can hire a professional to help you in replacing the wheel bearing.
3. Loose Brake Pad
Creaking sound when driving slowly! If you are going through this issue, loose brake pads or worn-out brake pads can also be the culprit.
Most brake pads contain small steel tabs or plates. When the brake pads wear thin, it exposes the steel material. And guess what, this steel material rubs with the rotor and makes a creaking noise.
Driving a car through hilly routes, or going through extremely wet weather are some common reasons that cause the brake pads to wear out. Besides, poor-quality brake pads can also be responsible for producing squealing noise.
How To Fix:
Brake pads are not repairable. In other words, you must replace them when they wear out. In this case, you can find the following video handy:
However, you can call a certified car mechanic to replace the brake pads for you. The best suggestion we can offer is- to check the condition of the brake pads regularly. If they wear out, make the replacement right off the bat. Otherwise, they will damage the rotors.
4. Brake Calipers Get Stuck
A sticking brake caliper can also grind when driving your car slowly. If the calipers get stuck open or close, they will rub against the rotors and squeak as a result.
How To Fix:
You have two options- either rebuild the brake calipers or replace them. Sometimes, applying grease may help to remove the caliper from the sticking condition.
The best bait is to get a caliper rebuilding kit and rebuild it. Alternatively, you can replace the brake calipers completely to stop the creaking noise.
5. Lack Of Lubrication
The braking system stops your car from friction. Besides rotors and pads, there are other components in the braking system. And you need to keep them lubricated for proper functioning.
For example, you need to lubricate the backside of the brake pads and the caliper pins. If the backside of the brake pads is not well-lubricated, this part will rub against the caliper piston and make a grinding noise in the process.
How To Fix:
Keeping those brake system parts lubricated will help you in stopping the creaking noise. You can find a lubricant called brake caliper lube to lubricate those parts. So, get the lubricant and apply it to those parts.
6. Defective CV Joint
If you feel the CV joint making creaking noise when driving slowly or making sharp turns, we bet the CV joint gets faulty.
Some culprits cause the CV joint to produce squeaky noise. And they are defective CV boots, worn-out boot clamps, and CV joints that are not well-lubricated.
How To Fix:
RX Mechanic has a complete guide on this topic where they break down how to fix the noise coming from CV joints. So, you can check that article. If the CV joints get severely damaged, you might replace the CV joint.
7. Steering System Issues
Steering system issues are also responsible for making a grinding noise when driving slowly. For example, low power-steering fluid can cause the car to make a squeaking noise. You can feel the power-steering fluid getting low when you have trouble turning the steering wheel.
According to CARS.COM, a failing power-steering pump and steering components that lost lubrication are also responsible for this issue.
How To Fix:
Check the power-steering fluid level and replace it with fresh fluid if needed. Other problems like a power-steering pump or wheel steering issues should be inspected by a professional. So, bring your car to a certified mechanic to handle the steering system problems.
Conclusion
The creaking noise is not normal. Once you hear the grinding sound, you must figure out the source from where the noise is coming.
And we make it easy for you as we broke down everything that causes your car to make the creaking noise. So, follow our guidelines and take the steps we mentioned to stop the squeaking sound.
About John M
John contributed as a technical head at an automobile company just 2 years after his post-graduation in Automobile Engineering. He loves to lead a free life, so he left his job & started blogging. Now, he does research on every automotive problem, part & product and seeks a better solution & best products & shares his findings with his readers to help them as well as to minimize their struggle.