As much as we rely on our cars, they’re not always perfect. We’ve all had those minor issues that seem to crop up out of nowhere and can be incredibly frustrating. One such issue is a grinding noise when turning your Honda CR-V.

If your Honda CR-V is making a grinding noise when turning, it could be due to a faulty CV joint, low differential fluid, worn brake pads, or damaged wheel bearings. Easy fixes include replacing worn components, changing the differential fluid, or having a mechanic fix the problem.

This article will cover the common causes of grinding noise when turning a Honda CRV and ways to fix them.

Why Your Honda CRV Makes Noise When Turning?

Arguably, Honda CRVs are some of the most reliable cars thanks to their excellent engineering. However, as with any car, a few things can go wrong and cause your CRV to make unusual sounds, such as noise when turning.

Here’s a rundown of the reasons a Honda CRV may make a grinding noise when turning:

The CV Joint Is Loose or Worn Out

The CV, or Constant Velocity joint, is located at the end of your Honda CRV’s driveshaft. It allows the driveshaft to rotate while still being able to move up and down, as well as side to side.

Over time, the CV joint can become loose or even wear out completely, causing a grinding noise when turning. Besides the noise, a worn joint can manifest in other ways, such as a clicking sound when accelerating or decelerating and difficulty turning the wheel.

Common causes of loose or worn CV joints include:

• Driving on rough or uneven terrain, damaging the CV joint over time.
• Lack of regular maintenance and lubrication, leading to dry, cracked joints.
• Accidents or other impact damage that can break the CV joint or cause it to come loose.

Read: Why Honda CRV Not Starting?

The Differential Fluid Is Dirty or Low

The differential fluid is responsible for distributing power from your engine to the wheels. The fluid helps lubricate and cool the gears in your differential. It can gradually break down and become dirty, causing problems. If the differential fluid is dirty or low, it can cause a grinding noise when turning, as well as difficulty turning the wheel and a burning smell coming from the car.

The typical cause of low or dirty differential fluid is time and mileage. However, if you frequently drive on rough terrain or in extreme conditions, it can cause the fluid to break down more quickly as well.

The Brake Pads Are Worn Out

The brake pads are one of your car’s critical safety features, so it’s important to keep an eye on their condition. As time goes on, the brake pads will wear down and become thinner, eventually reaching a point where they need to be replaced.

If the brake pads are too thin, they can start to grind against the rotors, causing a grinding noise when you slow down to turn or come to a stop. In addition to that, you may also notice that your car takes longer to stop or the brakes feel spongy when you press down on them.

The common causes of worn brake pads include:

• Driving at high speeds over rough roads or uneven surfaces, which can wear away the pads more quickly.
• Driving in stop-and-go traffic, which can cause the brake pads to overheat and wear out faster.
• Misalignment or other mechanical problems with the brake system.

Read: Automatic Transmission Have Grinding Noise When Put in Gear. How To Fix?

The Wheel Bearings Are Seized or Damaged

Wheel bearings help keep the wheels attached to your car and allow them to rotate smoothly. These bearings can become seized or damaged over time, causing a grinding noise when turning. Also, you may notice that your car vibrates when driving at high speeds or that the steering feels loose.

Here are some potential causes of damaged or seized wheel bearings:

• Driving down pothole-infested roads, which can result in damage to the bearings over time.
• Accidents or rough driving conditions that can cause the bearings to become damaged or seized.

The Suspension Is Loose or Worn

The suspension system helps keep your car stable and comfortable when you drive by absorbing bumps in the road. Eventually, the suspension components can become worn or loose, causing a grinding noise when turning.

Specifically, worn-out springs or shocks can cause the wheels not to align properly, resulting in a grinding noise. Other issues that may be causing the problem include loose ball joints or damaged wheel bearings.

Read: Knocking Noise When Driving – What’s The Cause?

The Tires Are Worn Out

Another common cause of grinding noise when turning is worn-out tires. For the tires to grip the road properly, they need to have a certain amount of tread. If the tread on your tires is too low, it can cause them to slip when turning, resulting in a grinding noise. You may also notice that your car is not handling as well as it used to or that the ride is rougher than usual.

A Steering Component Is Damaged

One common cause of a grinding noise when turning your CR-V is worn out or damaged steering components. This could include things like the:

• steering rack
• power steering pump
• other connections in the steering system

If a steering component is not functioning properly or has excessive wear, it can cause a grinding noise when turning. Your car may also become hard to turn or the steering feels loose.

Read: Why There Is Noise When Turning Steering Wheel While Stationary?

Ways To Fix Honda CRV Noise When Turning

Now that you know some of the possible causes of a grinding noise when turning your Honda CR-V, let’s look at some potential solutions. If you ignore the problem, it could result in more serious damage to your car down the road (no pun intended).

Here are a few quick tips to help you fix the grinding noise when turning:

Check the CV Joint

If you suspect your CV joint is causing the noise, it’s important to inspect it for wear and tear. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Park your car on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
2. Place a jack under the front of your car and raise it to access the CV joint.
3. Inspect the CV joint for any damage, such as cracks or missing pieces.
4. If the CV joint is worn out or damaged, you may need to replace it.

Caution: If you’re uncomfortable replacing the CV joint yourself, it’s best to consult a professional mechanic for assistance.

Read: Honda Civic vs. Accord

Change the Differential Fluid

If you believe your differential fluid is the cause of the grinding noise when turning, it’s time to check the level and condition of the fluid.

To check the level of your differential fluid, follow these steps:

1. Locate and unscrew the filler plug on the differential case.
2. Let out any fluid in the filler hole, then wipe the area clean with a rag.
3. Check the fluid. If you notice it’s dark or smells burnt, it may be time to change the fluid.
4. If no fluid flows from the filler hole, it may indicate that you need to add more fluid.

This video describes the steps for checking and adding differential fluid in more detail:

Replace the Brake Pads

If your brake pads are worn out or damaged, you must replace them to prevent further damage to your car.

To replace the brake pads on your CR-V, you’ll need a few tools, including:

• Jack and jack stand
• Brake pads and hardware
• Wrenches
• Brake cleaner or brake fluid

Once you have the abovementioned tools and supplies, follow these steps to replace your brake pads:

1. Jack up the front of your car and secure it in place with a jack stand.
2. Use a wrench to loosen the brake caliper bolts and remove the caliper from the rotor.
3. Use a brake pad tool or a flat-head screwdriver to push the brake pad pins out of the caliper bracket.
4. Remove the old brake pads and hardware from your CR-V. 
5. Clean any debris or grease with a brake cleaner or brake fluid.
6. Install the new brake pads and hardware, then secure the caliper using the bolts you loosened earlier.
7. Repeat the steps above for the other side of your car.
8. Once finished, lower your CR-V and test your brakes to ensure they function properly.

Caution: If you’re not comfortable replacing your brake pads, it’s best to take your car to a professional mechanic instead.

Read: Why Car Makes Noise When Turning at Low Speed?

Replace the Wheel Bearings

If your wheel bearings are damaged or worn out, you need to replace them as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could end up doing more damage to your car.

To replace the wheel bearings, you’ll need:

• A jack and jack stand
• Wrenches and sockets
• New wheel bearings
• Torque wrench
• Grease

Then, follow these steps to replace your wheel bearings:

1. Jack up the front of your car and secure it in place with a jack stand.
2. Remove the tire and wheel from your CR-V.
3. Use a wrench to loosen the bolts that hold the wheel bearing in place.
4. Remove the old wheel bearing and clean any dirt or debris from the mounting surface of your car.
5. Pack the new wheel bearings with fresh grease.
6. Install the new wheel bearing and tighten the bolts to secure it in place.
7. Replace the tire and wheel and lower your car to the ground.
8. Repeat the steps above for the other side of your car.
9. Once finished, test your CR-V to ensure that the noise is gone.

Here’s a video that may come in handy when replacing your CR-V’s wheel bearings:

If the noise persists, it may be time to get a trained mechanic to help you.

Check the Suspension

If your vehicle’s suspension is loose or worn, it could be the culprit behind the grinding noise when turning. To check your suspension for any issues, you’ll need to:

1. Inspect the shocks and struts for any leaks, cracks, or damage.
2. Check the ball joints for any wear or damage.
3. Look for signs of damage or wear in the inner and outer tie rods.

If you notice any issues with your vehicle’s suspension, it’s best to take it to a professional mechanic for further inspection and repairs.

Pro Tip: For valuable insights into keeping your car in tip-top shape, read Car Care Basics: Basic Car Maintenance Tips For Beginners (available on Amazon.com). The book describes essential car maintenance tasks like checking tire pressure, changing oil, and replacing windshield wipers. It also provides helpful tips for maintaining your vehicle’s performance and longevity.

Replace the Tires

If your tires are worn out or damaged, you must replace them to prevent further damage to your car. To replace the tires, you’ll need:

• Jack and jack stand
• Lug wrench
• Tire iron
• New tires

After getting the abovementioned tools and supplies, follow these steps to replace your tires:

1. Jack up the front of your CR-V and secure it in place with a jack stand.
2. Use a lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the wheel you would like to replace.
3. Remove the old tire and wheel, then clean away any debris or grease from your car.
4. Install the new tire and wheel, ensuring that it’s properly aligned.
5. Tighten the lug nuts in a criss-cross pattern, then lower your CR-V to the ground.
6. Repeat the steps above for any other wheels that need to be replaced.
7. Once finished, test your CR-V to ensure that the noise is gone.

Check the Steering System

If you suspect your CR-V is making a grinding noise when turning due to a problem with the steering system, you’ll need to:

• Inspect the power steering fluid level and add more if needed.
• Check the power steering pump for any leaks.

Note: If you notice any issues with your steering system, you need to take your car to a mechanic for further inspection and repairs.

Summary

If your Honda CRV is making a grinding noise when turning, there may be several factors causing the issue. Some possible reasons include worn-out brake pads, a problem with the differential fluid, damaged wheel bearings, or a loose suspension.

To fix the problem, you may need to replace your tires, inspect the suspension or steering system, or seek professional help from a mechanic. Whatever the issue may be, taking prompt action can help prevent further damage to your car and ensure a smooth ride.