strange clicking sound when turning steering wheel?
 

Here's a bit of context. The car is currently at 12k mi with no major issues. Oil is changed regularly and has various "good health" test reports from blackstone. I have SPL front control arms and HKS Hipermax coilovers installed as well as a hotchkis front bar. I'm also running 20mm spacers in the front.

The video is taken at work because that's when I noticed it, not sure how long it's been happening. It ONLY occurs when I turn the wheel to the right. If you'll notice in the video, when I turn to the left there is no clicking sound.

Anyone have any clues as to the cause? I will start taking things apart when I get home but if anyone has any ideas on what to look for it may make my efforts a lot shorter and easier.

Thanks! :tiphat:

Video's blocked at work, but could it be a wheel bearing? Does it speed up as you go faster?

If it's a metallic "click click click" sound as you're turning the steering wheel get the power steering rack checked. I had mine replaced and the noise went away. Then it came back after a month, and it turns out a couple bolts holding the steering rack to the chassis loosened itself and was replaced.

I noticed it as I pulled into the structure at work so not sure about speeding up. I only really tested it during stand-still. Occurs at about the same point everytime, a half turn of the steering wheel to the right gives me a click, and going past that point again gives another click.

Yeah it sounds kind of metallic to me. If it's steering rack I'll take it to the dealer next chance I get and have them check it out. Hopefully it's as simple as a bolt, maybe I can find it myself when I get back from vacation.

Turns out it does click faster as I drive faster. Does that correlate with a wheel bearing issue?

It could, but it would be odd for it to fail at such low mileage. Get the car in the air, grab the top and bottom of the tire and try and wiggle it in and out. There shouldn't be any play.

I have a similar issue, but the sound is a bit different. i noticed it couple weeks ago when i was turning into my garage. However it is more of a squeaky sound that i can actually feel when holding the steering wheel and making a turn.. any ideas?

Just got back from the driveway. No wiggle. Retightened my spacers (which I guess I forgot to mention) but they were already tight. Tried to wiggle the sway bar around because I read another thread that it might cause this as well but realized that I only had one wheel off the ground so there was load on the other side which would lock it up so that was in conclusive. I'm just going to have to wait till I have more time when I get back from my trip.

Could be the flux capacitor.

I hit 88 on the highway today and no time travel, you might be on to something.

It could be your coil overs. How long have you had them installed?

About 3 weeks now. i can't imagine what on the coils could cause the sound. When I took my wheel off earlier I tried moving it around but it might have also been under tension due to the sway bar and me only lifting one side of the car. Will report on this more when I get back from my vacation.

Same thing happened to me when I had my Mazda 3 with D2 coil overs.... Noticed the same sound when I turned the steering wheel to the right 2 weeks after the install... Couldn't figure out what the problem was and just lived with it till I sold it.... D2's suck by the way... Never again... Hope everything works out for you... Enjoy your vacation.

Just a quick update. This specific incident is probably unique to me. The brass joint on my z1 ss brake lines were shifting at a specific point in my turning radius. Some zip ties solved the noise issue until I can find a more permanent solution. It was pretty easy to isolate the noise once I had the car up and Someone to help me turn the steering wheel.

Hmmm I'm having sort of the same clicking, but it seems like only when turning to the right and at lower speeds (or else thats the only time I hear it). Lugs are tight. I'm gonna recheck the sway bar. Everything feels solid when driving. I dunno...

I am putting in Z1 brake lines today so I'll pay extra attention.

Let me know what you come up with. I still haven't done anything about it other than the zip ties, which has worked out thus far but probably wont for long.

I do have the Z1 lines... maybe should check that out. Although I've had them on for quite a bit and this is a new noise.

Get someone to turn the wheel for you while you're under the car. It makes a huge difference. If the noise only happens as the wheel is spinning then just spin it by hand.