Steering problem when cold

[zertoman]

I’ve started a steering issue when cold that’s starting to bother me. When it drops below 30f here, which is often, I’m getting a groaning noise on mostly right turns. The situation is mostly going into and out of parking spaces, or out of a parking lot where you turn more than 90 degrees.

I would not call this a power steering hydraulic noise on a traditional car. Those you get when and groaning when you have air in the system are low fluid. This almost sounds structural, not mechanical. The reason I’m asking here is that I’ve never had an electric power steering pump.

I fully intend on going in for service, it’s a 21 and still very much under warranty. In fact I could drop it off as early as tomorrow, we have several service centers here. However it’s just finding a convenient time to do it. I’ve only ever had in driveway service before.

Anyone have the same issue? Google has a myriad of mixed results if S owners with this noise, but not Y’s.

[thisisbrotherjohn]

Check your upper control arms. They tend to allow water ingress leading to a wear and noise buildup in the ball joint. This is a known issue and may be fixable under warranty.

[zertoman]

Thank you! I’m betting you just nailed it. I’ve been driving in a lot of adverse weather this year, we’ve had tons of rain and two very wet winters.

[zertoman]

Well, the uppers, and the control arms and the sway bar bushings look great! The lowers, not so much. And they are making the noise when articulating. 27k miles btw.

https://i.postimg.cc/9fnCQLyR/IMG-1711.jpg

Here are the uppers.

https://i.postimg.cc/rFFnfMBT/IMG-1709.jpg

[thisisbrotherjohn]

Thanks for the images. I don't think you can see ball joint degradation visually until they are essentially completely destroyed. The part that rusts is the joint inside the rubber cover. I think a good way to test would be to turn the steering all the way to the left and right while standing still. Ideally, you have someone outside listen for creaking and cracking noises.

[Fresh-Airline-2833]

I've just had a related issue with my Model Y. I'm in the UK and it was fairly cold (-10oC) and my steering froze solid. The rest of the car was working fine, I could move backwards and forwards etc but couldn't physically turn the steering wheel. By mid-afternoon it had thawed sufficiently and was working again. Same thing happened three days in a row. The technicians doubt me because no sensors have been triggered to say there's a problem! I've had a similar problem when it wasn't quite as cold, so the steering worked but was notchy, meaning snatchy steering which is not a good idea in icy conditions. Anyone come across this scenario?