Grinding on the right side steering wheel when you

It's a good chance that it's either wheel bearings or the CV joints.

Hi David,
Could you please tell me which wheels are you talking about? Fronts or rears? Once you do that perhaps I can be of help to you

it can be any part of the front suspension or brake system including drive train damage jack up right side and with wheel still on place hands at top and bottom of wheel and push and pull in and out if movement usually a ball joint but ball joints dont give off a grinding noise ===now grab tire at the 9 and 3 position front and back -push and pull if loose possible tie rod damage or steering component damaged this also doesnt give off a grinding noise unless bent into a turning part =====turn wheel and listen and look at cv axle and around brake area if noise remove wheel and now inspect brake caliper ,brakes ,hub and axle for noise these components can give you your grinding noise repair or replace damaged components the other tests performed were for possible damaged parts since wheel was bent inward

check for failed wheel bearings or loose wheel on studs. Check suspension ball joints and steering joints the problem is serious so have the front inspected by a competent mechanic

may be you should make a diagnostic and you can do it in a garage or you can do it by yourself if you want to do it by yourself you need some tools and you can find some good ones here: spobd2.com

Were the top strut bearings changed?

You don't turn the steering wheel, unless
your have the vehicle moving or off the ground

Do you flush the power steering fluid every 3 years,
when you do the trans fluid every 3 years?

almost certainly a wheel bearing that is just about to break up.could also be track rod end if you have any play in steering.you need to jack up the car(wheel off the ground)and with your hands at 9-3 oclock, rock from side to side,any "play"will be OBVIOUS. enlist the "eye" or "hands" of a volunteer to help,makes it easier.

The front axle isnt disengaging completely. You need to probably replace the vaccum solinoid located right above your distributor on the firewall. To test you simply disconnect the two vaccum lines and splice them together. Then turn the 4wd on and see if all is normal.

I had the same exact problem with my 2003 Focus with 108,000 on it. Making right turns and accelerating was even worse. Had many ideas from differant mechanics saying it was wheel bearing, steering rack, loose heat shields, transmission...ect. Well after having wheel bearing replaced and steering rack replaced, the grinding was still there. It was finally discovered that the noise was coming from a bad motor mount on the right side. Had the dealer replace the motor motor mount and finally!!! the problem was solved. Thank God.