Hey folks, hoping someone can shed some light on this. My 2017 Outback has started making a faint but distinct whining noise that seems to come from the front end, but only when I’m turning the wheel to the left at lower speeds, like in a parking lot. It goes away when I straighten out or drive normally. Power steering fluid looks okay. Just trying to figure out if this is a “get it looked at tomorrow” thing or a “monitor it for a bit” situation.
That sounds annoying and a bit worrying. If the noise only shows up when you turn left at low speed and not when you go straight it could be trouble with the electric power steering or a worn part in the front end. Since you checked the fluid is fine that makes a pump issue less likely but not impossible. I would get it looked at soon rather than later.
From an engineering angle the power steering motor or a belt driven pulley could whine when load is high in a tight turn. A loose belt or tensioner can do that at low speed too. It might also be something in the steering rack or a joint that only shows up when the wheel is turned a certain way. Listen for whether the noise changes with engine rpm or if it stays fixed.
Maybe the noise is not from the steering at all but from a tire rubbing on a fender or a brake caliper sticking and contacting the rotor when you steer. It would be odd that it's left only but it can happen if the suspension shifts a bit.
I am skeptical that this means a major issue. Cars make odd noises sometimes that disappear once the suspension settles. A quick check for stray debris in the wheel well might be enough to rule out a loose shield or small object.
If you reframe the problem around feel rather than sound you might find clues. How does the steering feel when the noise occurs is there more effort or is the steering normal and the sound just there. If the steering feels unchanged it may point to a tire noise or something in the wheel well rather than the power steering itself.
Plan to have a shop listen to it when you can and see if they can reproduce the noise. Often a diagnostic lane test is enough to point to the component.
I am not sure how much you can tell from a parking lot story but it is helpful to keep notes of when it happens and what you did that day. If it worsens or spreads it should get a check sooner rather than later.