Steering Knuckle Noise: Causes & Fixes

Hi.

I've been trying to track down this creaking noise for quite some time now, which occurs when steering, especially in warm weather.

This weekend, with the help of my neighbor, I was able to hear the noise quite clearly and I figured out:

If I turn the tie rods (which can be adjusted by about 10 degrees), it makes exactly the same creaking noise as when steering.

"But the rod has two ends... Does it ever happen that the heads become so dry that they creak with noticeable vibration?"

I can't get the steering rack bellows open and closed without repeatedly breaking them, so I won't be able to inspect anything there.

Has anyone had similar experiences?

Greetings.
m;

Okay: G5 12/95 1Z Variant 168,000 km - XTR USA Steering Gear.

I replaced both tie rod ends with new ones.

The steering is quiet, and although there was no noticeable play during the TÜV inspection, I would say it feels "defined" – as if it had some play before.

Okay, please provide the German text you would like me to translate into English. I will only provide the translation.

Hello dieselmartin!

I'm experiencing a loud creaking noise when steering my Golf, especially in very hot weather. There are no noises at all when the weather is cold.
I already had the control arms replaced at a mileage of 198,000 kilometers.

Best regards, D.

Hi D.

Was ist das? Ist das eine Frage in deiner Nachricht?

I figured out the thing about the SS logos.
When it was warm and the steering noise was present, I twisted the tie rod ends (in a way they are not normally supposed to move). In doing so, the ball joints made exactly the same noise as when turning the steering wheel. I compared the noises by having a colleague turn the steering wheel slightly while I was underneath the car.

Okay, please provide the German text you would like me to translate into English. I will only provide the translation.

Thank you, dieselmartin, but we also use '?' at the end of questions in our language.

It was just a casual comment from me.

Best regards, D.