MBNUT1

I have been getting a creaking noise / vibration when I turn the wheel to the left when the car is hot. I initially thought the power steering fluid was low but when I checked it cold it is at the 20 degree C max line. It's strange that it is quiet when the car is cold. Hoping / praying that it is not the steering rack. Not obvious how to diagnose because I suspect that the weight of the car needs to be on the wheels. If I had to guess I would think that it sounded like a dry ball joint.

Arrie

Delete this, wrong forum.

S-Prihadi

If you can find something say 2+ inch high to use as a tire pad, by being on a 2 inch higher surface "road" for the suspect left or right front wheel , that can create extra corner weight for that tire.
Hoping it can cause the balljoint to produce the sound due to higher loading on it, while car is safe stationary for your inspection.

Arrie

In my car and I believe in all 212 models the front has the strut that carries the weight of the car. There is no load bearing ball joint that turn when turning the steering wheel but perhaps the the dry joints could make noise even when not loaded that heavily.

The turn happens inside the strut so could there be a problem inside the strut that makes the noise?

S-Prihadi

Yes Arrie, supposedly a macP strut takes all the load at its top side bearing and the lower ball joint is just a follower ball joint and not a loaded one like a double wishbone suspension set up.
However, during my caster/camber correction bolts adventure I noticed even being a follower type ball joints (we use 2) at high steering angle and decent suspension travel , the balljoint has some load on it.

I agree the macP strut top side bearing is a good candidate for inspection too, sweet info. thanks