2004 Dodge Stratus noise when I turn the steering wheel

Have a helper turn the steering wheel while you hold your fingertips on the top of one of the front coil springs. You'll have to reach over the top of the tire to do that. As the tires turn, the spring should also turn freely. You will likely feel the top of the spring bind and refuse to turn until the pressure builds up, then it will pop loose, make a noise, and turn.

If that's what you find on one or both wheels, the upper strut mounts are binding and must be replaced. This isn't real serious, and usually doesn't occur while the car is moving because bouncing over bumps in the road will jar the mounts loose.

To replace the mounts, the struts must be removed, so it will be necessary to have an alignment performed as part of the repair.

Caradiodoc