Often motorists are interested in why clicks are heard when turning the steering wheel in motion. This is a fairly common problem. Basically, this applies to cars with a steering rack. Many drivers simply do not pay attention to this problem. Which in many cases leads to serious problems with the steering rack. Therefore, when symptoms appear, it is necessary to diagnose as quickly as possible and eliminate the malfunction. Until it led to more costly repairs. For diagnosis, you just need to determine the place where the clicks come from. After that, to carry out repair work.
Why are there clicks when turning the steering wheel while driving? Let's start with perhaps the most harmless reason. In almost all cars, the turn signal switch is located on the steering wheel. The design of these controls has a ring that is designed to turn off the repeaters after the completion of the maneuver. This ring can sometimes click when turning the steering wheel with the turn signal not on. These clicks are normal. That is, if you hear clicks only near the steering wheel, you can ignore them.
Steering rack bushing
Sometimes clicks are heard from the depths of the car. In some cases, a creak may also be observed. The problem is in the steering rack bushing. First you can try to tighten the nut of its fastening. If this does not help, then you will have to change the sleeve. To replace this penny part, you will need to remove the entire rail. After replacement, do not forget to check and adjust the wheel alignment.
You should not delay with this work. After all, otherwise a worn bushing will break the rail, and you will have to change everything as an assembly, which is much more expensive.
Steering Diagnostics
As a rule, the steering actively announces faults. It is only necessary to pay attention to these signals in a timely manner. Most of the problems are easily diagnosed in an ordinary garage. Consider the most common malfunctions, and how to determine them.
Most often there is an increased play of the steering wheel. This happens when the hinges are worn out, the engagement of the worm gear is disturbed. For diagnostics, it is necessary to drive the car into a viewing hole or overpass. After that, one person slowly turns the steering wheel, and the other looks for the consistency of the work of the mating parts. Sometimes you can identify the backlash by simply moving the rail with your hands. In the normal state, the structural elements will move together. Backlash will be noticeable immediately.Quite often you can find knocks when passing small obstacles. The problem is the ball joints. If you do not respond to the problem, then steering play will soon appear. Therefore, your task, at the first appearance of a knock, is to inspect the swivel joint and diagnose for backlash.
Another equally common problem is tight steering. Sometimes it can be observed in winter. In this case, this is explained by the solidification of the lubricant in the steering column gearbox. Usually, this symptom goes away after a few kilometers. If the difficulty arises in the summer, and is observed not only in the cold, but constantly.
There are two reasons here:
- Problems with the engagement of the rack and pinion. Check out this joint. You may need to make an adjustment, on some models this can be done;
- Lack of lubrication in the gearbox. Add oil. It is advisable to check if there are any leaks;
- Sometimes this problem occurs.
This article discusses the main reasons why clicks are heard when turning the steering wheel. Describes how to diagnose and solve this problem.
The normal operation of the steering system should not be accompanied by extraneous sounds, such as knocks or clicks when turning the steering wheel. The appearance of such symptoms indicates the likelihood of wear on the components of one of the most important active safety systems of the car, or other components of the chassis that are set in motion with the rotation of the steering wheel.
Possible causes of extraneous sounds when turning the steering wheel:
- wear of the crosses of the cardan shaft of the steering rack drive shaft
- backlash in the spline connection of the rack drive shaft
- steering rack wear
- steering rack pinching
- steering column shaft radial play
- moisture ingress and corrosion of the lower ball joint
- wheel drive grenade malfunction
- spring breakage
If clicks are heard when turning the steering wheel, which can also be felt on the steering wheel, the condition of the steering drive components should be checked. The wear of the crosses is detected by probing the universal joint when turning the steering wheel to the right and to the left at a small angle.
Biting is clearly felt by hand and allows you to accurately determine the worn part. It should be noted that there are several such parts and some may be in hard-to-reach places. In some cases, it may be necessary to dismantle the components to disassemble and inspect the components, followed by the replacement of the defective part.
Backlash in spline joints
Backlash in the splined connections of the rack drive shaft is detected in a similar way. In some cases, the so-called "pumping" of the shaft can help. To do this, loosen the fixing bolt and move the shaft several times along the splines, then tighten again. There is a possibility that the splines have lost their effective engagement due to wear and as a result of such a procedure they will come into tighter contact, and free play in the joint will be eliminated for some period of time. If pumping did not help, the splined shaft changes.
Steering rack bearing wear
During the operation of the car, not only the steering rack mechanism wears out, which perceives the load with each turn of the wheels, but also the rubber fasteners, through which the assembly is fixed on the body or subframe, are subject to wear, destruction and loss of elastic qualities. In this case, when turning the steering wheel in place, characteristic knocks or clicks will be felt, indicating the free movement of the rack housing. The larger it is, the stronger the sound will be under load. Wear is detected by observing the position of the assembly at the time of turning the steering wheel left and right. In this case, the movement of her body will be clearly noticeable. The solution is to either seal the clamps by placing a layer of rubber under them, or immediately replace the worn out rubber bands with new ones.
Biting of the steering rack rod
Biting the steering wheel during rotation indicates damage to the rod by corrosion as a result of moisture ingress into the body. Usually biting occurs when the steering wheel is turned at a certain angle or number of revolutions. When the rusted section of the stem passes through the plastic guide sleeve, strong friction occurs, since the surface of the stem is no longer mirror-smooth, but rough. This is accompanied by a characteristic creak or clicks when turning the steering wheel. It is required to disassemble the assembly and inspect for parts damaged by corrosion with their subsequent replacement. In advanced cases, the entire rail will need to be replaced.
Steering column shaft play
Clicks in the steering column are usually manifested in the movement of the car and indicate the presence of shaft radial play as a result of bearing wear. Backlash is diagnosed simply - just get your hand to the shaft and try to shake it about the axis of rotation. With a confirmed malfunction, repair of the steering column is possible on some vehicles, on other models - only a replacement assembly.
The malfunction is not critical and, apart from an unpleasant knock, will not entail other consequences for some time.
Corrosion damage to the lower ball joint
A rusted lower ball joint, which bears a significant load, can make characteristic clicks and a rather loud squeak when turning. The reason is mechanical damage to the anther and moisture ingress, which caused the lubricant to be washed out. In addition to the squeak, the connection usually already has a backlash formed as a result of the friction of a rusty ball against a plastic seal. As a result of the backlash, when moving over irregularities, a clearly distinguishable knock occurs. A corroded ball joint must be replaced.
SHRUS malfunction
The natural development of the CV joint resource or its destruction due to the ingress of dirt leads to biting of the hinge during its rotation, especially at extreme angles. This is accompanied by clicks or clatter when turning the steering wheel in place and most clearly when starting with the wheels turned. Also, a torn boot will help to make sure that the grenade is likely to be damaged. The drive grenade cannot be restored and is replaced with a new one.
Broken strut spring
Often the cause of extraneous sounds is a spring that has burst as a result of metal fatigue. A failed spring is easily identified by inspection. The elastic suspension element should be changed in tandem with the opposite one in order to avoid body distortion. A broken coil can touch the body or other parts, making a rattle and clicks when the steering wheel is turned.
Often, motorists operating domestic cars are faced with a rather unpleasant problem, characterized by the occurrence of a knock at the bottom of the front of the vehicle at the moment the steering wheel is turned. The first decision that comes to the mind of a motorist is to contact a specialized car service. However, it has several significant disadvantages. For example, the lack of a guarantee of a positive result or significant financial costs. That is why we recommend trying to figure out the problem yourself.
Causes of knocking when turning the steering wheel
So, we diagnose the knock that occurs when turning the steering wheel. To do this, we perform several preliminary manipulations:
- Rinse the front suspension elements with a jet of water.
- Place the vehicle on a pit or raise it on a lift.
- Clean the joints (twisting) with a stiff brush.
- Perform a visual inspection of the front suspension components.
The list of visual inspections should include the following items:
- checking the mounting of the anti-roll bar;
- control of the condition of the supporting pillows of the racks;
- control of fastening of suspension elements;
- checking the condition of the silent blocks of the lever, fastening the rods, extensions, etc .;
- monitoring the state of the compression stroke buffer (for destruction) capable of generating knock;
- checking the degree of wear of the hinge of the suspension system arm, the joints of the lower arm.
The next step in determining the source that generates the knock heard when turning the steering wheel is to check the condition of the springs. As a result of "upsetting", deformation or breakage of the spiral turns, a distinctly audible thud appears.
Another reason for knocking in the area of the front suspension of the vehicle may be deformation or insufficient fastening of the plastic protection of the wheel arch of the car.
Unsecured fragments of protection at the moment of turning the steering wheel engage with the CV joint boot and form sounds similar to knocking. For all its insignificance, this defect requires a fairly prompt elimination, since only in this case there is confidence that it will not cause other, more serious defects. For example, fastening the protection of the arch directly to the “skirt” of the bumper makes it (the bumper) possible to be damaged when the protection is deformed.
The presence of a characteristic, “gurgling” knock at the moment the steering wheel is turned indicates that the permissible degree of wear of the tie rod ends has been exceeded.
Failure to take timely measures to replace worn steering tips threatens with a chain reaction of loss of efficiency of the elements of the steering mechanism, the consequence of which, in the worst case, will be an accident, at best, significant financial costs.
Attention! After replacing the tie rod ends, the wheel alignment must be adjusted.
Another fairly common cause of knocking when turning the steering wheel is increased wear on the bearing of the support (upper) shock absorber strut. A special predisposition to this disease is observed in Prior and Kalin. The solution to the problem is to replace the bearing. The positive aspect of this shortcoming is the relatively small material and time costs for its elimination.
A combination of knocking and humming, simultaneously occurring when the steering wheel is turned to the right (left), indicates a loss of performance of the hub bearing of one of the front wheels of the vehicle. It should be noted that the failure of both bearings at the same time is by no means a rare phenomenon. This is what is really serious. The complexity of the repair work lies in the need to “press out” the worn bearing from the seat in the hub.
This diagnosis involves not only a long, but also quite expensive "treatment", and the untimely measures taken end, as a rule, with the complete destruction of the elements of the front suspension of the vehicle.
Video - What to do if you hear a knock when turning
And finally, the reason that the vast majority of motorists hear is damage to the constant velocity joint, or CV joint. The wear of the element itself initiates a sound that is more like a “crackling”, but damage to the CV joint boot, which, in fact, leads to premature failure of the hinge itself, “generates” sounds, often mistaken for a knock. The most effective method of preventing this defect is regular (at least once a month) inspection of the condition of the anthers and immediate replacement in case of breaks. This habit will save you not only time, but also money.
The presence of malfunctions in the operation of the steering, as well as the failure of the brake system, can lead to a safety hazard in driving a car. The use of hydraulic boosters and rack and pinion mechanisms in many passenger cars can significantly improve the control of the car and reduce the list of faults to a minimum.
The problem of knocking in the steering wheel can be in shock absorbers or bolts.
What are steering problems?
Practice shows that the most common and characteristic malfunction is the wear of the ball joints of the tie rod ends.
But besides this, there are other problems:
- Development (wear) of elements of the rack and pinion mechanism.
- Violation of the tightness of joints, hoses and the system as a whole.
- Worn or defective steering shaft bearings.
In cars that are equipped with power steering, there may also be problems in the power steering:
- System clogging.
- Destruction or wear of the vane pump shaft bearing.
- Violation of tightness of connections and hoses.
- Weak drive belt tension.
- Low level or oil leakage in the expansion tank.
A fairly common problem for motorists when a knock, click or crunch is heard when turning the steering wheel. It can knock constantly, or maybe only after a long parking of the car. Such a nuisance can happen even to those motorists who monitor the condition of the car and replace worn parts in time. This symptom should be taken seriously and repaired as soon as possible.
On the video: Knocking when turning the steering wheel - CV joint or tri-spike - grease came out
Possible causes and methods for eliminating knocking
- The ball joint fails. It needs to be replaced, as it may burst and the car will have to be dragged on a tow truck (the wheel will be turned unnaturally inward or outward and it will be impossible to drive).
- The grenade fails. Moreover, when turning to the left, the right grenade is loaded and vice versa. Accordingly, if a knock is heard when the steering wheel is turned to the left, we change the right grenade.
- Worn stabilizer bushings may knock or creak. The problem is easily solved: spray silicone grease on the bushings. The rubber will become more elastic and the squeak or knock will pass.
- Knocking may occur with a faulty or loose steering rack. This can give vibration to the steering wheel. It is necessary to tighten the rail fasteners or diagnose the rail at the service station, and repair or replace spare parts.
- Engine crankcase mounting bolts may loosen. Although this happens infrequently, an undetected problem can bring a lot of unpleasant moments. The solution is to simply tighten the bolts. If the bolt thread is stripped, replace the bolt. You may need to re-thread the thread with a tap.
- If the knock appeared after changing the wheel, then a possible cause of the knock will be not fully tightened wheel bolts. Over time, vibration is added to the knock. The problem is solved in a minute - by tightening the bolts to the desired force.
- A cracked or broken spring can knock. Unfortunately, the quality of spare parts in recent years has posed such a problem for motorists. The solution is to replace the cracked spring.
- Worn or leaking shock absorbers when turning the steering wheel to the right or left, they can “beat off”, that is, they do not hold the load and sag under the weight of the car with a knock. The solution is diagnostics and replacement of the shock absorber. You can diagnose yourself. To do this, you need to sharply press with both hands on the wing in the area of \u200b\u200bthe shock absorber and also sharply release it. Observe not only when a knock appears, but also how many oscillations the car makes after pressing on one side and the other.
Extraneous sounds in the steering system may indicate a malfunction. Moreover, it is often possible to determine the type of breakdown by the nature of the sound. Therefore, we suggest that you further familiarize yourself with all the possible options for malfunctions, their symptoms and solutions.
1 What to do if you hear the hum of the power steering
Often, motorists complain about the hum of the power steering when turning the steering wheel to the left or right when the car is stationary. If the hum is not loud, then there is nothing to worry about. We can say that a little noise is a kind of power steering feature that is found on many cars. If the hum is uneven, i.e. periodically increases, is clearly audible in motion, sometimes turns into a rattle, which means that there are problems in the steering system. First of all, you should check the fluid level in the expansion tank, which is located under the hood and add it if necessary. If, after topping up, the sound reappears over time, and the liquid level in the tank drops again, it means that there is a liquid leak that requires immediate elimination.
First you need to learn to hear and distinguish "bad" hum and sound from simple sounds
If the sound is not related to a low fluid level, power steering parts may be failing. In this case, you must immediately contact the service center, since the repair of this unit is quite complicated, requiring experience and knowledge. Often, owners of cars with power steering are faced with a whistle of the steering system. At first, it is mild, and appears only when the steering wheel is turned all the way. Over time, the whistle intensifies and appears in any position of the steering wheel, especially if the car is not warmed up. The reason for this whistle is the power steering pump drive belt. To get rid of the whistle, the belt must be replaced or simply adjusted its tension.
Often, the power steering whistle appears some time after replacing the belt. Therefore, try to monitor its tension until the belt "runs in". I must say that the whistle of the belt can be confused with the whistle of wheel bearings. If the whistling stops when the car stops, then the bearings are whistling.
2 Squeaks when turning the steering wheel - what is the reason?
There can be several reasons why the steering wheel creaks during rotation. Most often, the steering rack is to blame. And it can also creak for various reasons:
- the anthers of the tips have worn out, as a result of which dirt has clogged under them;
- the mechanism loosened, so it began to contact the body. Such a malfunction is usually accompanied not only by a creak, but also by increased steering wheel play;
- slats are deformed;
- steering tips are in contact with the rods when turning.
When a rail squeaks, you should immediately contact a specialist who will accurately determine its cause and eliminate the breakdown. As a rule, steering rack parts cannot be repaired, but simply changed. This leads to high costs, but in no case can you delay the repair. If the rail malfunctions are not detected, attention should be paid to the brake system. Often it is she who is the cause of the squeaks.
Less often, a creak occurs due to a malfunction in the steering column, in which case it has a superficial character and is clearly audible in the cabin. In addition, such squeaks are accompanied by vibration of the steering wheel, which is also impossible not to notice. Most often, a creak in the steering column occurs due to its deformation. Sometimes extraneous noise is caused by a worm gear. If a creak or “shuffling” is heard right in the cabin near the steering wheel, then the steering wheel itself is the cause, which, when moving, touches the steering column trim. There is nothing wrong with that, of course. But squeaks can cause discomfort to the passengers in the car and the driver.
3 What knocks and crunches when cornering - ball or shock absorber?
There are also several reasons why knocks may appear. Some of them are relatively "harmless", while others require urgent auto repair. The latter include the knock of a ball joint. True, this element does not apply to the steering system, but to the front suspension, but since both nodes are interconnected, we will also consider it.
Ball knocks are usually clearly audible on small bumps and when driving on gravel road surfaces. When the car is moving on a flat road, the ball joint usually creaks, but it can also tap if its condition is completely pre-accident. To verify that the ball joint is malfunctioning, you can inject lubricant with a syringe into the ball pin by piercing the rubber boot with a needle. As a result, knocking should stop for a short time. Also a symptom of ball wear is the lateral play of the suspended wheel.
If the ball joint is not replaced in time, the pin can be pulled out of the housing, as a result of which the wheel will simply turn out. If the ball pulls out at speed, the car will usually roll over. True, as practice shows, most often this situation occurs when driving at low speed. But as they say, don't tempt fate.
Another common cause of knocking is wear or lack of lubrication of the CV joint, which is available only in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicles. Sometimes, for the same reason, a crunch is heard, especially when the car enters a turn, and the load falls on the wheel with a problematic CV joint. In this case, you need, first of all, to make sure that the anther is intact. Often, cracking is associated with dirt getting under the anther. Otherwise, the CV joint needs to be replaced.
Also, knocking may be associated with wear on the steering tips. Usually it is accompanied by a creak when turning the steering wheel. In this case, the knock itself is heard only at the very beginning of the turn. To make sure the tips are the problem, try rocking the steering wheel from side to side while the car is stationary. If you hear a click every time you turn left or right, then there can be no doubt. As in the case of the CV joint, first of all, it is necessary to check the lubrication in the hinge mechanisms. If, in addition to knocking, play is also found, the tips must be changed.
If a knock is heard on bumps, as well as when the car enters a turn, it may be due to shock absorber wear. In this case, the stronger the load on the wheel when turning, the stronger the knock is heard. Since the shock absorbers of the left and right wheels rarely fail at the same time, clicks are heard only when turning in one direction.
That's all the main causes of steering noise. If you have not been able to accurately determine the cause of the noise, immediately diagnose the car at a service center. After all, steering is one of the most responsible systems responsible for safety!
