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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 09:18 PM
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St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Default Wheel Click Issue

While driving slowly in the parking lot with my wheels turned all the way to the right, my drivers side front wheel makes a clicking noise. The clicking noise gets faster as I speed up so it has something to do with the wheel assembly. Almost sounds like a rock in the tire but it's not ( I checked). I'm thinking maybe a warped rotor? Wheel bearing? Does not make the noise when the wheels are turned straight. Any ideas?

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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 09:31 PM
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um....2008? I have heard that same sound...kind of like a piece of sticker or something on a tire and only when you are in a parking ramp! I have heard it too!
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 09:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Hundoracer
um....2008? I have heard that same sound...kind of like a piece of sticker or something on a tire and only when you are in a parking ramp! I have heard it too!

No it's an 07, but I'm sure nothing changed in the wheel assembly from 07 to 08. Of course the steering rack was changed though. Mine definitely doesn't sound like a sticker.....it's a strong metallic click.
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 09:52 PM
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Ideas would be a stone in the wheels' center cap, or brake pad rubbing on rotor.

I would jack up the front of the car and spin the wheel and see if you can hear the clicking sound... easy test
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 09:54 PM
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Originally Posted by c54u
do you hear it only when turning?

Ideas would be a stone in the wheels' center cap, or brake pad rubbing on rotor.

I would jack up the front of the car and spin the wheel and see if you can hear the clicking sound... easy test
Yea it's only when turning. I plan on jacking it up, but I'm thinking it a brake pad rubbing on the rotor. If it clicks once a rotation that would indicate a warped rotor wouldn't it?
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 09:58 PM
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It could be a warped rotor, you could tell once it is on the jack. Could be something stuck in the brake pad as well making that noise. Check for debris in the wheel well, it might be making contact with it.

Does the noise go away with your wheels turned if you go fast enough?

Last edited by c54u; Dec 19, 2008 at 10:13 PM.
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 10:46 PM
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Originally Posted by c54u
It could be a warped rotor, you could tell once it is on the jack. Could be something stuck in the brake pad as well making that noise. Check for debris in the wheel well, it might be making contact with it.

Does the noise go away with your wheels turned if you go fast enough?

Nope. The noise is still there no matter how fast I go. Also ,I applied the brakes while turning and it makes NO difference in the noise whatsoever. I think that rules out the warped rotor. It also only makes the noise while turning right. There isn't anything in the wheel well, I already checked that. I'm starting to think wheel bearing. Any other ideas?

Last edited by Silverspeed; Dec 19, 2008 at 10:48 PM.
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 11:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Silverspeed
Nope. The noise is still there no matter how fast I go. Also ,I applied the brakes while turning and it makes NO difference in the noise whatsoever. I think that rules out the warped rotor. It also only makes the noise while turning right. There isn't anything in the wheel well, I already checked that. I'm starting to think wheel bearing. Any other ideas?
Mine did the same thing. Mine was only from the right wheel, not the left. It was driving me crazy. Had the wife drive in circles while I walked with the car to try to pinpoint. It was coming from the wheel itself. I took the wheel off to look, couldn't find anything, so put the wheel back on. No more noise for about 1 minute, then it started again. I then decided to loosen the lugnuts and the noise when away. Torqued them back to 100 lbs and the noise came back. Bottom line, at 90 lbs torque the noise goes away and does not come back. Not too sure why, but this is how I stopped the noise.
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Old Dec 19, 2008 | 11:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Dave O
Mine did the same thing. Mine was only from the right wheel, not the left. It was driving me crazy. Had the wife drive in circles while I walked with the car to try to pinpoint. It was coming from the wheel itself. I took the wheel off to look, couldn't find anything, so put the wheel back on. No more noise for about 1 minute, then it started again. I then decided to loosen the lugnuts and the noise when away. Torqued them back to 100 lbs and the noise came back. Bottom line, at 90 lbs torque the noise goes away and does not come back. Not too sure why, but this is how I stopped the noise.
That's really odd. I've done some searching and some who have had similar issues say it could be from improperly lubricated caliper pins. I have aftermarket rotors but this doesn't seem to be the problem because the noise is there no matter if I am on or off the brakes. Guess I'll pull the wheel tomorrow. Did you jack the car up and spin the wheel with it turned to see if it made the noise? I'm wondering if mine will still make the noise with the weight off the car.
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Old Dec 20, 2008 | 12:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Silverspeed
That's really odd. I've done some searching and some who have had similar issues say it could be from improperly lubricated caliper pins. I have aftermarket rotors but this doesn't seem to be the problem because the noise is there no matter if I am on or off the brakes. Guess I'll pull the wheel tomorrow. Did you jack the car up and spin the wheel with it turned to see if it made the noise? I'm wondering if mine will still make the noise with the weight off the car.
Yes, I did try to spin the wheel while in the air. No noise. It only made the noise while driving, on real hard turns (not small turns). I also lubricated the lug nuts (where they touch the wheel) and this may have helped as well.

At first, I too thought it may have been the caliper pins, but they were fine.

Last edited by Dave O; Dec 20, 2008 at 12:30 AM.
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Old Dec 20, 2008 | 08:09 AM
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My 05 had that problem. Replacing the wheel bearings fixed the problem for a short time (500 miles). I trade the 05 for an 09 and so far the 09 does not do it. There may be a change in wheel bearings in 09 to resolve, but I have not been able to confirm. If its under warranty they should change the bearings for you at no charge.
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Old Dec 20, 2008 | 11:15 AM
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From: In the woods looking for my thrown putter.
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Thanks for the help guys. I'll get it up in the air today and see what I can find out.
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Old Dec 20, 2008 | 11:43 AM
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Did you check for a card in the spokes of the wheel?
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Old Dec 20, 2008 | 09:45 PM
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Well, first thing I checked the lug nuts, all clicked off at 100 ft./lbs. No problem there. Alsp checked to see if it made the noise with no weight an the wheel, and it didn't. So I removed the wheel , brake caliper, and pads, then put them back on. Also checked to make sure everything was tight. I turned the wheel 180 degrees from the lugs it was on originally, and torqued all bolts evenly to 100 ft./lbs without all the weight of the vehicle on them going cross rotational. Problem seems to be fixed. I still have no idea what was loose. Hopefully the problem won't return.
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Old Dec 21, 2008 | 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Silverspeed
Well, first thing I checked the lug nuts, all clicked off at 100 ft./lbs. No problem there. Alsp checked to see if it made the noise with no weight an the wheel, and it didn't. So I removed the wheel , brake caliper, and pads, then put them back on. Also checked to make sure everything was tight. I turned the wheel 180 degrees from the lugs it was on originally, and torqued all bolts evenly to 100 ft./lbs without all the weight of the vehicle on them going cross rotational. Problem seems to be fixed. I still have no idea what was loose. Hopefully the problem won't return.
Good news. If it was like mine, it probably wasn't anything with the caliper, but probably good that you checked.

Curious. Do you have stock wheels with stock center caps? I did the chrome wheel exchange at WCC. With the exchange came different center caps. I often wonder if it was the center cap making the noise as I can hear them make a similar noise as they cool down after a long drive.
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Old Dec 22, 2008 | 12:03 PM
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From: In the woods looking for my thrown putter.
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Originally Posted by Dave O
Good news. If it was like mine, it probably wasn't anything with the caliper, but probably good that you checked.

Curious. Do you have stock wheels with stock center caps? I did the chrome wheel exchange at WCC. With the exchange came different center caps. I often wonder if it was the center cap making the noise as I can hear them make a similar noise as they cool down after a long drive.
Yes, they are stock chrome wheels with center caps. The noise has returned as well, so whatever I did was only a temp. fix. I will try taking out the center cap and see if that's the fix. Will post back an update in a few days when I have time to do it.
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Old Dec 22, 2008 | 11:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Silverspeed
Yes, they are stock chrome wheels with center caps. The noise has returned as well, so whatever I did was only a temp. fix. I will try taking out the center cap and see if that's the fix. Will post back an update in a few days when I have time to do it.
Bummer. If the center cap doesn't work, try losening the lug nuts quite a bit, then re-torque to 90 lbs. If the sound goes away, at least you know it is something to do with the lug nuts/wheels. I left mine torqued to 90 lbs and just don't turn the steering wheel all the way anymore.
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 02:51 AM
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my 06 does the same thing on front driver side, but only at low speed. i can even make it happen with the car at rest just by bouncing it up and down in that corner. does our car have something electrical in that wheel wall area?
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Old Jul 5, 2009 | 01:18 AM
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Default Remove 2 retainer clips that holds rotor on during assembly.

Remove the 2 retainer clips that holds the rotor on during assembly at BG. These 2 clips actually throw the hub assembly out of balance and prevents wheel from laying flat against the hub and could cause creeking.
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Old Jul 5, 2009 | 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Dave O
Mine did the same thing. Mine was only from the right wheel, not the left. It was driving me crazy. Had the wife drive in circles while I walked with the car to try to pinpoint. It was coming from the wheel itself. I took the wheel off to look, couldn't find anything, so put the wheel back on. No more noise for about 1 minute, then it started again. I then decided to loosen the lugnuts and the noise when away. Torqued them back to 100 lbs and the noise came back. Bottom line, at 90 lbs torque the noise goes away and does not come back. Not too sure why, but this is how I stopped the noise.
Interesting ...

my 07 did this, but I have noticed it no longer does, I bought an extra set of wheels a year ago which are currently on the car, I never torque to specs because that only applies to NEW clean threads, I do it by feel.
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