Horrible Grinding Sound when turning corners in Cold Temps - Dodge Caliber SRT-4 Forums

SunBurstGirl · 02-15-2008, 05:53 PM

Hello all. I have a 2007 Caliber SXT SPORT.

It has been damn cold here lately...
I am talking -51 with the windshield.

Even when it is not that cold...-10 to -20...
my car still makes the same sound.

As I turn the steering wheel to turn a corner
(both left and right) it sounds as if there is
some metal grinding underneath my car.
The sound could also be compared to a
muffler dragging along a cement road.

There is nothing dragging underneath the car.
There is no snow deposit under the wheel wells.
The sound goes away as soon as the car straightens out...
it only comes back during turns.

I called the dealership and they have blamed the sound on frigid temperatures...
and it should go away when it gets warmer.

- yes, I understand it is cold...but I have had many cars over the years
and this is the first one that sounds like it is scraping metal together...
and it doesn't sound good.

If I turn a corner and someone is standing outside, their head will whip around
and gawk at my car...it's that loud!

The sound does get a little better as the weather warms up...
but it is still there.

I work with a guy who bought the exact same car as me
- on the same day...

we met up in the parking lot yesterday and both said...
does your car sound like metal grinding when turning corners???
and we both said YES!!!!!!

Thank god it isn't just me, or my car!
He said that he has had his car at the service dept
and they can't figure out what is making the
horrible noise...then the next time they said
Dodge knows about the problem but doesn't
know how to fix it....
but they wouldn't say what that problem was.

Anyone else out there in a cold city having the same
scary sounds when turning corners???

If you have heard about this problem...
or have a suggestion it would be greatly appreciated.

12-09-2008, 10:14 AM

I have the same problem with mine already had it to the dealer once and they couldn't duplicate the problem and blamed it on the cold and said wait for the car to warm up.

The car had just 6k on it when the problem started happening and I can still hear it even when it's warm if anyone else has an answer for this problem I'd appreciate it too.

Sorry I couldn't help but I'm just as curious for an answer as well.

GreaseMonkey · 12-09-2008, 11:08 AM

I have the same problem. I don't feel any binding or hear any clunking. I think it is just a byproduct of the vehicle.

Only other things I can think of it being is the steering angle sensor, or the tires.

12-19-2008, 09:28 AM

The brakes change shape (from the shape they were when they were made) in the cold, causing the squeaking. I could be mistaken, but it makes the most sense to me.

Thank God I live in GA. It *may* hit 5 degrees F once a year at a low.

12-19-2008, 03:29 PM

2008 Caliber SXT Sport

I'm having the same problem, it's -40 with the windchill and the noise this thing makes while turning is incredible! The dealer tells me he has seen many of these cars with the same problem and has no idea what it is. This is totally unacceptable for a brand new car!

If anybody out there has had a satisfactory solution to this problem please let us know.

GreaseMonkey · 12-19-2008, 03:34 PM

It could also be fluid traveling through the rack.

I think it's just an unfortunately byproduct of the design.

Anyone also have the loud blower fan for the heat and A/C?....that's annoying too.

mvs1 · 12-26-2008, 01:32 AM

Not being 100% positive but pretty damn sure, the noise is a by-product of the severe cold effecting the grease in the cv-joints. Grease, like oil, gets thick when really cold, that's definitely going to give you some noise when turning. Dealer couldn't reproduce because your car sat in the nice warm cozy garage for an hour or so before they actually did anything with it. I'd monitor, if it seems like its getting worse then contact the dealer about it.

GreaseMonkey · 12-26-2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvs1

Not being 100% positive but pretty damn sure, the noise is a by-product of the severe cold effecting the grease in the cv-joints. Grease, like oil, gets thick when really cold, that's definitely going to give you some noise when turning. Dealer couldn't reproduce because your car sat in the nice warm cozy garage for an hour or so before they actually did anything with it. I'd monitor, if it seems like its getting worse then contact the dealer about it.

That is also a very good possibility.

12-27-2008, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvs1

Not being 100% positive but pretty damn sure, the noise is a by-product of the severe cold effecting the grease in the cv-joints. Grease, like oil, gets thick when really cold, that's definitely going to give you some noise when turning. Dealer couldn't reproduce because your car sat in the nice warm cozy garage for an hour or so before they actually did anything with it. I'd monitor, if it seems like its getting worse then contact the dealer about it.

Sounds about right to me

SunBurstGirl · 01-05-2009, 09:48 AM

Called the dealership - explained sound - again.

Reply - yup, it makes a sound, yup we have heard complaints
about this issue, yup it's loud...

Is this damagin my car?

nope - there is no damage happening to the car when this sound happens...it probably happens to a lot of cars in cold weather.

I have had 5 cars in my life - even my 64 Valiant didn't sound this way

answer....hummmmmm

"can it be fixed?"

answer - hope for warmer weather.

02-15-2008, 05:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
SunBurstGirl Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7	Horrible Grinding Sound when turning corners in Cold Temps Hello all. I have a 2007 Caliber SXT SPORT. It has been damn cold here lately... I am talking -51 with the windshield. Even when it is not that cold...-10 to -20... my car still makes the same sound. As I turn the steering wheel to turn a corner (both left and right) it sounds as if there is some metal grinding underneath my car. The sound could also be compared to a muffler dragging along a cement road. There is nothing dragging underneath the car. There is no snow deposit under the wheel wells. The sound goes away as soon as the car straightens out... it only comes back during turns. I called the dealership and they have blamed the sound on frigid temperatures... and it should go away when it gets warmer. - yes, I understand it is cold...but I have had many cars over the years and this is the first one that sounds like it is scraping metal together... and it doesn't sound good. If I turn a corner and someone is standing outside, their head will whip around and gawk at my car...it's that loud! The sound does get a little better as the weather warms up... but it is still there. I work with a guy who bought the exact same car as me - on the same day... we met up in the parking lot yesterday and both said... does your car sound like metal grinding when turning corners??? and we both said YES!!!!!! Thank god it isn't just me, or my car! He said that he has had his car at the service dept and they can't figure out what is making the horrible noise...then the next time they said Dodge knows about the problem but doesn't know how to fix it.... but they wouldn't say what that problem was. Anyone else out there in a cold city having the same scary sounds when turning corners??? If you have heard about this problem... or have a suggestion it would be greatly appreciated. Last edited by SunBurstGirl : 02-15-2008 at 06:00 PM.

12-09-2008, 10:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
DACouture Posts: n/a	Having the same problem on my 2008 SE Plus Pkg I have the same problem with mine already had it to the dealer once and they couldn't duplicate the problem and blamed it on the cold and said wait for the car to warm up. The car had just 6k on it when the problem started happening and I can still hear it even when it's warm if anyone else has an answer for this problem I'd appreciate it too. Sorry I couldn't help but I'm just as curious for an answer as well.

12-09-2008, 11:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
GreaseMonkey Moderator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 2,688	I have the same problem. I don't feel any binding or hear any clunking. I think it is just a byproduct of the vehicle. Only other things I can think of it being is the steering angle sensor, or the tires. __________________ '08 Caliber SRT4

12-19-2008, 03:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
GreaseMonkey Moderator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 2,688	It could also be fluid traveling through the rack. I think it's just an unfortunately byproduct of the design. Anyone also have the loud blower fan for the heat and A/C?....that's annoying too. __________________ '08 Caliber SRT4

12-26-2008, 01:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
mvs1 Who Dies w/Most Toys WINS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany Posts: 193	Not being 100% positive but pretty damn sure, the noise is a by-product of the severe cold effecting the grease in the cv-joints. Grease, like oil, gets thick when really cold, that's definitely going to give you some noise when turning. Dealer couldn't reproduce because your car sat in the nice warm cozy garage for an hour or so before they actually did anything with it. I'd monitor, if it seems like its getting worse then contact the dealer about it. __________________ K&N Drop In, MPx DP w/Cat, PTP UPP w/TurboSmart VeePort, MPx STB, Aeroforce Interceptor II w/SRT Faceplate, Blu/Wht Prosport Oil Pressure gauge, BWoody Check Valve, NGK BKR6EIX, MS 1, Progress Rear Sway, PTP WGA set @ 17psi, BWoody Traction Bars.

12-19-2008, 09:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
bennmann Posts: n/a	The brakes change shape (from the shape they were when they were made) in the cold, causing the squeaking. I could be mistaken, but it makes the most sense to me. Thank God I live in GA. It may hit 5 degrees F once a year at a low.

12-19-2008, 03:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
imallright Posts: n/a	2008 Caliber SXT Sport I'm having the same problem, it's -40 with the windchill and the noise this thing makes while turning is incredible! The dealer tells me he has seen many of these cars with the same problem and has no idea what it is. This is totally unacceptable for a brand new car! If anybody out there has had a satisfactory solution to this problem please let us know.

01-05-2009, 09:48 AM	#10 (permalink)
SunBurstGirl Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7	Happy Sounds in 2009~! Called the dealership - explained sound - again. Reply - yup, it makes a sound, yup we have heard complaints about this issue, yup it's loud... Is this damagin my car? nope - there is no damage happening to the car when this sound happens...it probably happens to a lot of cars in cold weather. I have had 5 cars in my life - even my 64 Valiant didn't sound this way answer....hummmmmm "can it be fixed?" answer - hope for warmer weather.

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