What the hell is this noise??

[HardcoreZ28]

My wife's 99 Sebring is making a hideous squeaking noise in the front. It's mostly when you're turning the steering wheel but you can also hear it over bumps in the road. The front end is probably all original with just over 100k on it.

Safe bet to think it's the struts/strut mounts?

If I don't fix it for her soon she may burn my shop down! Shoemaker's kids are always barefoot you know.

[sweetbmxrider]

haahha nice saying. i'd jack the front end up and check for play. might be an upper or lower ball joint. those chrysler wheels are notorious for peeling, make sure if they are chrome that the inside of the wheel coating isn't hitting the rotor or the like.

[HardcoreZ28]

It's extremely loud and I can hear it with the car at a stop, just turning the steering wheel left and right.....that rules out the wheels I think and probably the ball joints.

[sweetbmxrider]

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles. If the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt and water can intrude. Also, MMC has added the potential of leaking moisture, which can cause the ball stud to corrode.

This condition could cause the lower lateral arm ball joint to separate, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. This campaign supercedes MMC's previous safety recall campaign, see 99V-066.

Dealers will inspect the lower lateral arm ball joint for wear. Ball joints that exhibit wear beyond the established tolerance will be replaced with newly designed lateral arm ball joints. Ball joints that are within the established tolerance will be cleaned and a special sealant will be applied to prevent intrusion of moisture. Owner notification began May 21, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

there is this tsb for sedans.

SUBJECT:
Clunking Or Rattle In Steering Wheel/Steering Column

OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves resetting the steering column preload.

MODELS:

1995 - **2000** (JA) Breeze/Cirrus/Stratus
1996 - **2000** (JX) Sebring Convertible
1995 - 2000 (PL) Neon

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Steering wheel/column clunking or rattle is more frequent while hitting bumps or on hard turns.

DIAGNOSIS:
Inspect steering wheel/column for any rattle or clunking noise. If symptoms exist perform the Repair Procedure.

and this for the verts

[JW]

Power Steering Pump?

JW

[alamantia]

Tie rod ends?

[HardcoreZ28]

Not the steering pump.....could be tie rods but I doubt that too.

It sounds like rubber and metal...you know that sickening sound they make together.

I'll have to pull the front wheels and have her turn the steering wheel while I listen closer.

[MyFirstZ]

maybe a p/s rack. . . . how is the return on the wheel when driving and making turns and the tightness/looseness in the steering wheel

[WildBillyT]

I'd try putting it in the air and seeing what it does with no weight on the tires. Then pull the wheels and dig in.

[Mark42]

Originally Posted by HardcoreZ28

It's extremely loud and I can hear it with the car at a stop, just turning the steering wheel left and right.....that rules out the wheels I think and probably the ball joints.

That is typical of a bad ball joint or tie rod end. Don't know anything about that model, but at 100k, its common for those parts to wear. If you can bounce the suspension by pushing on the fender and hear the noise, its a good chance its one of those parts.