Q: Car is making weird nose from the front end

asked by on June 12, 2016

When I first start my car after its been sitting in the driveway my steering is loose and the front end makes a weird humming/grinding noise when I break the break pedal also vibrates a little but after about 5 minutes of driving my steering tightens up and the noise stops until the next time I go to start my car up again it's been doing this for about 4 days now I'm not sure what it is, what could be causing this? I've also checked all my fluids and they are all good

My car has 190000 km My car has an automatic transmission.

Hello there, the loose steering and brake pedal vibration can be caused by a few different items and may be related. The most common causes of the loose steering and noise is the power steering pump failing or air in the power steering system due to a leak, low fluid level, or a failing rack and pinion. The brake vibration can be caused by warped rotors, the steering rack and pinion or a wheel bearing. A qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, will be able to diagnose your brakes, steering, and suspension to detect the faults and make any repairs that are needed.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Fluid leak from power steering reservoir
Hello! The most common leak on a Nissan, especially the 3.5, is the power steering hose between the pump and the power steering rack. In order to access this hose, the panels below the cowl and wiper must be removed....
Sunroof stuck
While the information provided on the Honda Prelude is a bit limited, my experience with this car leads me to believe that the tilt function on the sunroof has stopped operating correctly. If the sunroof can open and close but...
Driver's seat stuck in the forward position
Hello. In addition to the motor, there are other components to your seat that control its movement. It sounds like the mechanical parts that control the upper part of the seat have broken, which could cause the seat to be...
Oily thick coolant
Hi there. This is a sure sign of a blown head gasket (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-replace-a-head-gasket-by-jerel-lawrence). This can happen when the car overheats causing the cylinder head gasket to fail. When this happens, this will allow oil to leak into the engine coolant...
Gauges lose power sometime, battery being drained.
Hello - quite likely, the inconsistency with your gauge operation and the occasional dead battery are related, with a short in the wiring perhaps. This problem can be diagnosed by connecting an ammeter to the positive (red) battery cable, observe...
20k schedule maintenance
Hello, thank you for writing in. The scheduled maintenance for the vehicle should be located in your owner's manual, and you should compare that list to the quote. Without knowing what issues they may have found, its hard to tell...
Hissing sound coming from the front of the car
It sounds like the AC lines may still have a leak in them as indicated by the hissing sound you describe. This is a common sound when there is a leak in the AC system. As the AC compressor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ac-compressor-replacement)...
What could cause check engine light and transmission service message to display on when weather is over 100 degrees?
Hi There, A number of sensors may become faulty in hot weather conditions which will ultimately cause the check engine light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection) to come on. As the weather gets hotter, many sensors, fuel injectors and other components such as ignition...
car is shaking when I brake especially down hill and knocking sound when driving slowly
Hi there. What you are describing is typically an indication of a damaged wheel bearing as opposed to a brake system issue. The wheel bearing is designed to wear out over time and will cause vibrations, shaking and make sounds...

Related articles

Why Does My AC Rattle When I Turn It On?
Common reasons why a car AC system makes a rattling noise is due to a failing AC compressor, worn serpentine belt, or worn out AC compressor clutch.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Pitman Arm Shaft Seal
If the power steering fluid is leaking, at a low level, or making a noise, you may need to replace the pitman arm shaft seal.
How Long Does a Horn Switch Last?
With With all of the danger on the roadways, finding a way to keep yourself and your car safe should be a concern. A car has a variety of different mechanisms that are built into it that will allow for...