I should know this, or get one of my kids to help me figure it out, but it's so cold here! What's the likely cause of a groan coming from the front right firewall area when I turn the steering wheel or when the front suspension is working? Upper ball joint? Thanks---Mason

You can check the ball joint by measuring the free play. Bad ball joint will also manifest itself with popping sound at low speeds like in a parking lot. What vehicle and year?

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

My '88 260e was making a groaning noise when turning at low speed, such as parking. It turned out to be the outer tie-rod end.
If the suspect tie-rod end is not loose, it might be just dry. You can inject grease right through the little rubber boot using a grease gun and injection needle. If the noise goes away you found the culprit.

John