Just recently I have noticed that when I turn my wheel in either direction, be it while the car is on or off there is a creaking noise, sounding something like an old door opening or closing. I haven't had a chance to look under the car because it has been too cold to get under there. When I check under the hood it seems to be coming from below the engine, possibly the steering linkage.

Here are the conditions:
My car has 145,xxx miles on it now. The temp here in Mass has been fluctuating from below 32 degrees to around 50 on any given day. I checked to see if my steering fluid was low, that was no the case. i made sure to top it off. the power steering seems to be fine, i see or feel nothing wrong with it. my car has always pulled to the left, and upon braking at high speeds the steering wheel would shake. its not the brakes or the rotors, those are brand new. I think i am just in need of an alignment, or another ball joint has gone bad. I have had my right upper control arm replaced due to blowing it hitting a pot hole a while back.

Has anyone encountered the same issue? Or does anyone have any ideas what could be wrong? A bushing? the rack and pinion?

Thanks!

Side note:
On most, if not all mornings on a cold start my steering wheel will jerk to one direction and the belt will squeak for a second. I'm guessing its due to the cold, and its a normal thing. This is a secondary concern for me right now though. I have to make sure I can fix the first problem and pass inspection this month.

 

your steering linkage going to the P/S pump may be dry (joints) grease them.
if its not that then you have a P/S pump going out.
so, steering linkage- lube it -or- check your pump and see if its going out.

 

could it be my lower ball joint?