Car Makes a Grinding Noise When Turning? 5 Causes You Shouldn’t Ignore

Published on November 24, 2025

If your car makes a grinding noise when you turn, something in your steering, suspension, or drivetrain is wearing out. These issues almost always get worse with continued driving—and some can become dangerous.

1. Worn CV Joint (Most Common)

The CV joint allows your front wheels to turn while receiving power from the drivetrain. When the protective rubber boot tears, grease leaks out and dirt gets in. This quickly causes metal components to grind or click during turns.

Typical symptoms include:

  • Grinding or clicking when making sharp turns
  • Grease splattered inside the wheel well
  • Shaking or vibration under acceleration

2. Bad Wheel Bearing

A wheel bearing helps the wheel hub spin smoothly. When it wears out, the extra load during turns makes the grinding louder. A severely worn bearing can cause the wheel to wobble or even detach in extreme cases.

  • Grinding that gets louder when turning left or right
  • Humming or growling at higher speeds
  • Wheel play when rocked by hand

3. Brake Rotor Contact (Dust Shield or Worn Pads)

If a bent dust shield or worn brake pads make contact with the rotor, you may hear grinding during both braking and low-speed turns. This is often mistaken for a suspension issue.

  • Metal scraping sound when braking or turning
  • Visible scoring on brake rotors
  • Burning smell after driving
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4. Power Steering or Tie Rod Issues

Low power steering fluid, a failing pump, or worn tie rod ends can create grinding or groaning noises when turning the wheel. These issues also affect steering feel and can make the wheel harder to turn.

  • Grinding or groaning when turning the steering wheel
  • Stiff or inconsistent steering
  • Fluid leaks under the front of the vehicle

5. Suspension Components Rubbing or Binding

Worn ball joints, control arms, and bushings can shift during turns and cause grinding or scraping. If the noise happens over bumps as well, suspension wear is a strong possibility.

  • Grinding or scraping during turns and bumps
  • Clunking when braking or accelerating
  • Uneven tire wear

What To Do Next

Because grinding noises usually involve metal wear, it’s important to address the problem quickly.

  1. Limit Driving: If the grinding is loud or worsening, have the vehicle towed. Continuing to drive can cause major damage.
  2. Check for Leaks and Visible Damage: Look for torn CV boots, leaking steering fluid, or bent brake dust shields.
  3. Get a Professional Inspection: A mechanic can isolate whether the noise is coming from the drivetrain, brakes, bearings, or suspension.