How Expensive is This Sound?
 

I've been developing this squeak over the last couple of months. It's now intolerable. It only happens with steering input, moving slowly or stationary (that I can hear) and predominately when turning left. I'm going to take it to be looked at as I couldn't find any obvious issues when I was swapping my winter wheel/tires on. However, I admittedly wouldn't even know what to look for.

'06, C4S, 56k miles - Video Here

I'd like any thoughts or ideas on the problem and potential treatment. Thanks!

I had a sound like that once. Cost me $4200 bucks, but boy was that stereo kickin!

You need a friend to help in a garage out of the wind. It sounds like metal on metal....something like a shot of WD40 would cure. Check under the dash as well.

My similar sound turned out to be a tie rod end monoball. But to get it to squeak like the video required turning the wheel maybe double the distance. Repair costs were reasonable, required an alignment. Steering rack also comes to mind but I doubt that's your problem. That repair cost would be much more.

Steering repairs almost always mean an alignment is needed afterwards. Suspension work is definitely an advanced DIY job. If you have never popped a ball joint out of a wheel carrier, take this in for a pro to diagnose at a minimum since you need a pro for the alignment afterwards (yes you could DIY string align but that's even more advanced DIY than swapping tie rod ends). And don't be afraid to use aftermarket parts like TRW tie rod ends or LCA's. They are identical to the OEM parts without the Porsche tax - TRW is an OEM supplier.

I would go under the car and follow the steering shaft down to where there's a Universal joint. It sounds like babe at a junction like that its loose and causing the squeak. Some oil on that joint might do it.

Another thing to check is the front swaybar bushings as unlikely as that sounds. If it was more turning of the wheel to cause the squeak, that might be more likely, but might take a look anyway.

is the noise definitely coming from the underside/outside of the vehicle, and not inside? if inside, i'd bet on clockspring in steering column.

If exterior, check strut top mounts/bearings.

Wait, I just re read your original post. You mentioned a tire/wheel change. A different diameter/camber/shape can change geometry obviously. Car is fine with summer wheels but when you swap over to winter wheels, it pushes-pulls something into squeek territory. Yea, enlist a buddy and you will find it quick.

Had same on mine (identical), needed a new steering rack. good thing for warranty.

I had a similar sound coming from my MB. Was a 60 cent washer and $600 in labor!

That has to be a record for parts to labor ratio! Sorry that you won.

Get this.. its even crazier. My warranty had just expired at midnight the day before i brought it in. I just couldn't get there due to business travel (you gotta make a living). The agreed to cover the repair. A really good MB dealer.

That is crazy but good for you. That's one for our team! I drove an SLK for 15 years and it was a beast and when I went to replace it in 2016 my wife says she wants me to get a German sedan as the daily beater when I said I wanted a PDK Cayman. She didn't like the Panamera and a happy wife ......... So my P dealer had a sister Audi shop sharing the same facility and I buy a diesel A3 two days before the VW emission thing blows up. I don't like front wheel drive but I figure I'll put up with if for 50+ miles a gallon. To make a long story longer the A3 experience was worse than I had imagined and I replaced it with a C300 4 matic. Awesome that they took care of you when they didn't have to do so.