Creaking steering noise

I have an annoying noise realted to my steering and so far I have been unable to reslove it -

At low speeds during parking etc whenever I turn the wheel I get a low pitched creaking noise that sounds like it is coming from the centre of the engine compartment. Its quite loud and I am sure it can be heard outside the car.

The best way to describe the noise is its like a rubbery creaking similar to if you squeeze a baloon.

Here is what I have checked / replaced so far:

New Front control arm bushings (wow what a difference)
Re-lubed front sway bar busings
Checked Power steering fluid (its only 6 months old anyway)

I have jacked the car up and turned the steering to try and locate the noise with no luck -it must only happen under load.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Next step I think is to take the steering guibo apart and lubricate it to see if that helps -my car only has 34k on it so its not like everything is worn out.

Thanks

I have the same problem. RRT mentioned something about a spring or whatever in the steering wheel assembly. I cant remember exactly but If I keep my car, I'm getting a M steering wheel from Tischer to replace it. It will drive you crazy until you either remove the wheel and fix the problem or get a new wheel. Sorry I don't have specifics but RRT tried everything but removing the steering wheel and it still squeaks.

Thanks for the reply, I am not sure it is the steering wheel as it sounds like it is coming from outside the cabin. I am determinded to get to the bottom of this as it is embarrasing when parking.

I tried lubricating all ball joints / steering guibo and into the bearing at the top of the rack where it enters the firewall.
I also parked on grass and had someone turn the wheel while I listened but tyically I could not replicate the sound at all!

I though I had fixed it but I got into the car this morning and it was LOUD.

Any other suggestions? thanks

You need to check the strut bearings. You can pull the black cap and work abit of grease into the ball bearings to see if it helps, but if it does, go ahead and replace as once they start making noise they are toast.

I finally located the source of the creak - Its coming from the strut tower, not the bearings but I believe it is something rubber on the strut hat.

I will check it out tomorrow but it should be an easy fix.

Thanks to all that helped.

Problem solved! The noise was the bump stops rubbing against the strut hat! shoved plenty of copper grease in and now I am creak free!