Clicking noise when turning hard
08-10-2018, 07:22 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Clicking noise when turning hard
So I've read a few posts diagnosing clicking noise when turning hard and I think I've got it down to a few possibilities:
Loose lugs
Loose Axle nuts
Worn wheel hub bearings
Sway bar end links
Steering wheel gear
Turning the wheel while stationary does not produce a noise. However, when turning and moving forward clicking definitely coming from the front (as diagnosed by driving in circles around my wife haha). Turning left, it can be heard mainly from the right side, but turning right it can be heard loudly from both sides. I checked the wheels before I pulled them off and didn't feel any play in them at all.
I'm going to go ahead and check the axle nut tension and turn the tires/rims 180 degrees and put all lugs back on to see if that helps. Outside of that, can anybody recommend how I can diagnose the other three issues (bearings, links, and gear)?
Thanks!!
Loose lugs
Loose Axle nuts
Worn wheel hub bearings
Sway bar end links
Steering wheel gear
Turning the wheel while stationary does not produce a noise. However, when turning and moving forward clicking definitely coming from the front (as diagnosed by driving in circles around my wife haha). Turning left, it can be heard mainly from the right side, but turning right it can be heard loudly from both sides. I checked the wheels before I pulled them off and didn't feel any play in them at all.
I'm going to go ahead and check the axle nut tension and turn the tires/rims 180 degrees and put all lugs back on to see if that helps. Outside of that, can anybody recommend how I can diagnose the other three issues (bearings, links, and gear)?
Thanks!!
Last edited by Nate_M; 08-10-2018 at 07:50 PM.
08-10-2018, 07:45 PM
#3
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You seem to be on the right track................... and in correct order of items to check!
The second part of your question related to diagnosis of certain specific items listed would be below.
Loose lug nut: could lead to vibration or noise, potential wheel coming off depending upon how loose.
Loose axle nuts: typically noise while moving under load (torque applied) or weight.
These top 2 would be most likely of "clicking type noises."
Worn wheel hub bearings would be growl or groan type noise, or excessive movement of the wheel assembly if moved in any direction. Commonly louder on turns when the bearing is under load.
Sway Bar End Links would cause rattles especially over bumps, or whenever the suspension components move up or down relative to the bar attachment points.
Steering gear would also be felt in steering wheel, as a direct connection is made there. May be binding, difficult to rotate, due to the hydraulics or electronics in the various applications used in vehicles today.
Best of luck getting it resolved.
The second part of your question related to diagnosis of certain specific items listed would be below.
Loose lug nut: could lead to vibration or noise, potential wheel coming off depending upon how loose.
Loose axle nuts: typically noise while moving under load (torque applied) or weight.
These top 2 would be most likely of "clicking type noises."
Worn wheel hub bearings would be growl or groan type noise, or excessive movement of the wheel assembly if moved in any direction. Commonly louder on turns when the bearing is under load.
Sway Bar End Links would cause rattles especially over bumps, or whenever the suspension components move up or down relative to the bar attachment points.
Steering gear would also be felt in steering wheel, as a direct connection is made there. May be binding, difficult to rotate, due to the hydraulics or electronics in the various applications used in vehicles today.
Best of luck getting it resolved.
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Nate_M (08-10-2018)
08-10-2018, 08:01 PM
#4
Racer
Thread Starter
You seem to be on the right track................... and in correct order of items to check!
The second part of your question related to diagnosis of certain specific items listed would be below.
Loose lug nut: could lead to vibration or noise, potential wheel coming off depending upon how loose.
Loose axle nuts: typically noise while moving under load (torque applied) or weight.
These top 2 would be most likely of "clicking type noises."
Worn wheel hub bearings would be growl or groan type noise, or excessive movement of the wheel assembly if moved in any direction. Commonly louder on turns when the bearing is under load.
Sway Bar End Links would cause rattles especially over bumps, or whenever the suspension components move up or down relative to the bar attachment points.
Steering gear would also be felt in steering wheel, as a direct connection is made there. May be binding, difficult to rotate, due to the hydraulics or electronics in the various applications used in vehicles today.
Best of luck getting it resolved.
The second part of your question related to diagnosis of certain specific items listed would be below.
Loose lug nut: could lead to vibration or noise, potential wheel coming off depending upon how loose.
Loose axle nuts: typically noise while moving under load (torque applied) or weight.
These top 2 would be most likely of "clicking type noises."
Worn wheel hub bearings would be growl or groan type noise, or excessive movement of the wheel assembly if moved in any direction. Commonly louder on turns when the bearing is under load.
Sway Bar End Links would cause rattles especially over bumps, or whenever the suspension components move up or down relative to the bar attachment points.
Steering gear would also be felt in steering wheel, as a direct connection is made there. May be binding, difficult to rotate, due to the hydraulics or electronics in the various applications used in vehicles today.
Best of luck getting it resolved.
I've got 40k miles on her, so I'm probably going to go ahead and pull the trigger on sway bar links all around anyway. I'll likely put the wheel hub last.I'll be sure to check back in with everybody once I get through the likely culprits.
08-10-2018, 08:08 PM
#5
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Seldom that a steering gear would create a "clicking noise" as well as be felt in the wheel..................... if so, you can check the joint on the steering gear (bolt) to make sure it is tight too!
Majority of steering gear issues are leaks, or hard to turn (binding) due to internal seal concerns.
Start with the easiest, most common items, and proceed from there!
Majority of steering gear issues are leaks, or hard to turn (binding) due to internal seal concerns.
Start with the easiest, most common items, and proceed from there!
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Nate_M (08-11-2018)
08-10-2018, 09:04 PM
#6
Safety Car
This may sound too simple but I developed a loud clicking noise when turning some time back. My technician listen to it and had no idea but an old suspension guy did. Pulled both front wheels, cleaned hub matting surface on wheel and spindle, and reassembled torquing to specs. Noise gone! 2008 base coupe with suspension option and polished wheels. Clean yours when you pull the wheels. Good luck - hope it’s as simple as mine was to fix.
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Nate_M (08-10-2018)
08-10-2018, 10:00 PM
#7
Racer
Thread Starter
Seldom that a steering gear would create a "clicking noise" as well as be felt in the wheel..................... if so, you can check the joint on the steering gear (bolt) to make sure it is tight too!
Majority of steering gear issues are leaks, or hard to turn (binding) due to internal seal concerns.
Start with the easiest, most common items, and proceed from there!
Majority of steering gear issues are leaks, or hard to turn (binding) due to internal seal concerns.
Start with the easiest, most common items, and proceed from there!
08-11-2018, 12:51 AM
#8
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Thanks for confirming I'm headed in the right direction. Unfortunately, your last statement about feeling the clicking in the steering wheel if it's the steering gear is relevant because I CAN feel it in the wheel I've got 40k miles on her, so I'm probably going to go ahead and pull the trigger on sway bar links all around anyway. I'll likely put the wheel hub last.
I'll be sure to check back in with everybody once I get through the likely culprits.
I've got 40k miles on her, so I'm probably going to go ahead and pull the trigger on sway bar links all around anyway. I'll likely put the wheel hub last.I'll be sure to check back in with everybody once I get through the likely culprits.
Last edited by HOXXOH; 08-11-2018 at 12:54 AM.
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Nate_M (08-11-2018)
08-11-2018, 12:58 PM
#9
Racer
Thread Starter
Welp, good news. I took the lugs off and rotated the tires 180 degrees, then torqued everything back down. Presto, clicking gone.
Thanks everybody for your thoughts and advice. Really appreciate your time!
Thanks everybody for your thoughts and advice. Really appreciate your time!
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Vet Interested (08-15-2018)
08-11-2018, 04:17 PM
#10
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Glad you have it corrected, and THANK YOU for stopping back and letting other's know what it was! 
08-14-2018, 09:46 PM
#11
This may sound too simple but I developed a loud clicking noise when turning some time back. My technician listen to it and had no idea but an old suspension guy did. Pulled both front wheels, cleaned hub matting surface on wheel and spindle, and reassembled torquing to specs. Noise gone! 2008 base coupe with suspension option and polished wheels. Clean yours when you pull the wheels. Good luck - hope it’s as simple as mine was to fix.
08-16-2018, 12:20 PM
#13