Can anyone tell me what this noise is and remedy for it? Happens at about :03 into the sound bite attached. Kind of a squeak. Only seems to happen when turning 2011 RDX. I checked power steering fluid, it's full but on the dark side. Not sure what color it's supposed to be or when it was last changed though. Thanks.

 

Not in a position to listen, but a squeak/rattle/light grind when turning the wheel or driving over rough roads can be a sign of worn strut mounts. The sound will seem as though it's coming from your high dash area, or near the bottom of the windshield. The power steering pump generally makes more of a whining sound, and would usually be constant, only getting louder when you turn the wheel. It should also vary with engine rpm, and may go away temporarily when the fluid warms up.

I know that my strut mounts are making some noise, especially when it's cold outside. I'm at 155k miles and planning to replace all the suspension bits here in the next month or two (replacing tires at the same time).

 

That makes sense, I think I had strut mounts replaced on my '07 at around 100k miles (which the wife's '11 has on it right now) as well. The location of the sound is as you describe, and is not constant. Looks like I need to take to shop. Thanks. Any other input is also welcome. than the file above:


Noise happens at around :03.

 

It may also be a bad install on a brake rotor/pad. Some hard thinking led me to conclude this noise began a few months back after Firestone put on new pads/rotors. We took it back there once to have them fix the brake squeaking that was going on, and chances are good that in "fixing" that they created this issue which began after we brought it back. Could also be a strut or power steering issue. I'll have to take it in to find out for sure.

 

If you're turning the wheel while stationary and hearing the sound, it's definitely not rotors or pads. That one should be easy to eliminate. What is your current mileage on the RDX?

 

Just a touch over 100k miles on the '11 RDX (SH-AWD). It only happens when the car is in motion, sorry if I wasn't clear on that. I could only reproduce it while making a right turn while in motion, also while doing a circle while turning right in motion it is clearly evident the entire time. Sounds like it's coming from wheel/tire area, although it could be higher up (strut) and I'm just not able to pinpoint it.

Wife said she hears it while turning left in motion also. But I could not reproduce the noise while turning left, not even in a circle, in 35ºF weather. It is at the Firestone Store #2 right now, those guys in just a couple of brief convos seem to be a lot more competent and interested in fixing it than the store that's closer to me. So we'll see what they say.

There have been two noises since the Firestone #1 replaced brakes and rotors:
1. Squeaky brakes - this is just an adjustment. We took it back in a month or two ago for this and it came back with...
2. This other noise, the high-pitched whine while turning in motion.

Wife still says brakes squeak as well. So two noises happening. Won't be going back to Store #1 for a few years anyway, see if the management changes.

I'll post back as to what Firestone Store #2 tells me. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

FS#2 fixed it - plate that sits behind the rotor was out of whack. No charge since it was their issue. Thanks for the troubleshooting help, guys.

 

Good to hear you got it fixed. Also scary to hear how badly Firestone did your brakes. I highly recommend DIY on brakes if you have the time and space. Only takes about an hour with hand tools, and you'll know you got it done right (or, at least you'll know how to take it back apart if you didn't!). But really, it's probably the easiest maintenance item on this car after changing your oil and air filters. The only extra things you'll need are a floor jack (unless you want to fight with the scissor jack the comes with the car) and a piston tool, and the cost of those will easily be offset the first time you do your own brakes.