The car has been doing this recently. Only when hot after being driven for a while. Doesn't do it as soon as I start it up in the morning.


My guess is wheel bearings, tie-rods or steering column itself. But curious to see what you guys think. Car has 45k, lowered on PSS10s, new front strut bearings at 30k.

 

Hey guys,
Still having this issue, hoping for some ideas.

Symptoms: after driving for a while on a hot day (45 minutes + on highway) and coming to a stop, even moving the steering left and right causes a 'clicking' or binding type of noise. No suspension travel necessary, just moving the steering wheel seems to cause it.

Here are things I have tried, but to no avail:
1. lubed the tie rods - stuck a grease needle through the boot and pumped with synthetic grease
3. Replace a torn boot in right side sway bar drop link.
2. Sprayed teflon lubricant at top of front struts
3. Had my shop inspect everything in front end. He even had the car for a week and drove it home. Couldn't replicate the problem and said everything in the front end checked out.

Noise is still there. Mysteriously, only happens in afternoon. I drive it to work 70 minutes in the morning and it doesn't do it, even if temperature is in the mid-60s. Only does it on the way back home after the same exact drive.

Here are two videos I shot from this weekend. I was in the middle of a road trip and the car was nice and warm when I shot this. Standing in neutral and just turning the wheel left and right.

 

You should really get a second person to help you isolate the sound while someone is turning the wheel. Intermittent problems are the worst.

It could be several things but hard to say over the net.

Jack up the car and check for any play in all the components you mentioned WITH a lock jaw and pry bar. Just wiggling things by hand sometimes will not reveal things.

 

Sounds like the noise is coming from close to the steering wheel.

Before I on though I have to add that I'm with Alpine003: You should get another person to help you pinpoint where the noise is coming from.

Have someone turn the wheel and you outside the car to listen if the noise is even more pronounced from outside the car.

If the noise is coming from the steering hardware in the cabin there slip rings in the steering wheel that can degrade and cause noise. I would half expect though if this were the case there'd be other symptoms.

Something has broken in the steering wheel and this gets this is making the noise. This can account for the variability of the noise. The debris ends up out the way for a while but vibration and steering wheel operation dislodges this debris and it make noise when the wheel is turned until it somehow gets pushed aside and remains aside until the next time.

There is one maybe two bearings, kind of like CV joints, in the steering linkage from the steering wheel to the rack, to allow this linkage to make some bends and yet allow the shaft to turn the pinion gear and move the rack back and forth so the wheels turn.

The noise almost sounds like one of these bearings has gone bad.

 

Alright guys here's an update. All joints have been greased in the front suspension (with a grease needle), mechanic who inspected everything says everything in front end is solid. Car is still making the noise when warm.

a) I can now replicate the noise even when it's cold by holding the brake down while turning the wheel. It sounds like a binding noise, as though the brakes are trying to keep the wheel from turning.

b) Funny, this past winter, I started to get some pulsing under braking and figured it was time for a brake job. But in a few weeks, the pulsing just went away and it hasn't returned.

Putting a) and b) together, I am wondering now if my steering noise is due to a front caliper sticking? Maybe one of the pistons isn't retracting properly when it's hot causing it to stick every so slightly when the car is parked and wheels are turning?

My brakes feel fine now though, so would rather not do a full brake-job just yet. Is there merit in taking it apart and making sure my caliper slider pins are not rotted? Should I throw new brake pads on there while I am at it? I'm at 46k miles,

 

Please keep us updated xxaarraa. I think I've got the same issue (or something very similar) as your first video. I have an '02 c2 with an ROW M030 suspension if that matters.

It's annoying and I'm sure it's something that is easy to fix (once we figure out what it is).

I'm not sure why, but I think it's unrelated to the brakes.

Fortunately, I don't have any clicking issues.

b-man