Background:

Had to get a safety done on a 2000 Acura 1.6EL (pretty much same **** as a Civic SI for the Americans).

Upper balljoints were toast so control arms were replaced.

A few weeks after that, very loud squeeking started, lower balljoints were replaced.

Everything was fine until I put on winter tires (not sure if it can be related in anyway but it started almost immediately after doing so). I now have the following symptoms:

#1 Steering is very stiff meaning when I turn right, I have to manually bring the steering wheel back to center...it doesn't move on its own. Can this issue just be alignment?

#2 Every now and then there is a VERY loud grinding noise coming from the front end when turning the steering wheel SLOWLY left to right. It doesn't happen if I turn the wheel quickly. It also happens if I'm stopped at a red light. Does that rule out wheel bearings and sound like the lower balljoints are toast again?

the sound is not a squeeking sound like it was when the balljoints were replaced. It sounds like total metal on metal grinding. Someone said it may just be the dust shield on the brakes but I doubt it.

Any thoughts?

 

you checked the tie rod ends? what does an overall visual inspection show??