Clicking when I turn the wheel, yet another steering thread... Options

[6gsillyca]

So the axle shaft consists of both the inner and outter axles as well as the inner and outter cv joints? I was going to replace the whole thing, but then read that there are inner/outter joints and wasnt sure which I needed to replace, and which were included in the part I would be getting.

[bccentaur3]

The cv joints and all that stuff is already assembled in the axle assembly. You won't have to tinker with anything else, just pop out the old and in with the new.

[6gsillyca]

Well I had the cv shaft replaced but the car is still making noise.

I dropped it off at a shop last night, mainly because Im pressed for time, but also the price. The part cost ~$200 from the parts stores, and the shop only charged me $250 for parts and labor plus I have (parts and labor) warranty...

The noise isnt as bad as it was before (I dont hear it going straight, only when I actually turn left) but is still there. The shop told me it was because of rusted rotors. The rotors are rusted, but I can only hear the noise from the one side (drivers front) and ONLY when I am turning left.

I dont understand how rust on the rotors would be making noise. Wouldnt any rust on the rotor be scraped off after a few brakes? The only permanent rust is on the hub, but that shouldnt be making noise, should it? And if it is rust on the rotor, why is it only making noise when I turn?

Please help again

[bccentaur3]

The clicking noise should have stopped. WTF man, this is pretty messed up. Okay when you slam into 1st then 2nd does the car like shake hardcore?

[6gsillyca]

No, no shaking. Noise sounds like rust on rotors (on/off scraping sound), but I dont know how rust could make noise...

[bccentaur3]

Me neither. If it were the rotors I would think it would skreech. What about warped rotors?

[6gsillyca]

I would think warped rotors would make you shake/vibrate when the brakes are applied.

No, rust isnt hard enough to make a screech sound. A stone or something stuck between the pad and rotor could make a screeching sound.

Rust sounds more like a scraping. If you have ever turned/machined rotors then you would know the type of scraping, and how it is inconsistent, not a constant scraping sound. Thats the sound I am hearing when I turn the wheel.

[bccentaur3]

So basically the issue all along were the rotors and not the axle? I feel like such an ass, but you can't take chances. I freaking broke my axle on my way back to college (2 hours away). Better safe then sorry, but if the problem had nothing to do with the axle, I am sooooo sorry bro.

[6gsillyca]

I dont know if they were the rotors or not. I dont understand how even if they are rusted, they will be making noise. The rusted contact part should wear off with a few brakes.

The "scraping" noise has been there for the past few months. Earlier this week it got louder, and more consistent, as well as it occured with less turning of the wheel (I could hear it going straight, as opposed to only hearing it during a uturn before). Changing out the axle did somewhat fix this porblem. I can only hear the noise when I turn the wheel again (dont hear it going straight)

And it is better to be safe than sorry. Im almost glad I didnt spend 10+ hrs trying to do this myself only to find out that the axle wasnt the problem...

[bccentaur3]

LOL, I'm glad you didn't.

We totally need a brake expert here to help this problem. I still don't get how the clicking noise is coming from your brakes. Hows your frame and suspension looking?

[6gsillyca]

I wouldnt call it a clicking noise anymore, more of a scraping, and Im not sure that it is even coming from the brakes.

[bccentaur3]

hmm. Thats weird man. If you're able to stop fine and nothing shakes drive on it until the true sign of the scrapping comes up.

[hurley97]

could be warped rotors, if it isn't warped that bad it won't shake while braking.

if its the noise I'm thinking of, my car is doing the same thing. if it were consistent like yours seems to be I would check my wheel bearing. only thing is my car doesn't do it in a single particular situation, like only when I turn to the left at a certain speed. sometimes I hear it from the front right when I turn sometimes I don't, other times I hear it from the rear when I'm going straight but again not all the time, it's very random.

[bccentaur3]

6gsillyca If the rotors aren't warped like you've stated then take hurleys advice and check your wheel bearings.

[yozef]

What about the top strut mount? No one mentioned these. There is a bearing in there and if its blown it will make similar noises especially when turning and you are outting load on it.

[bccentaur3]

It had to be one or the other. Either the drivetrain components or suspension and since the drivetrain is fixed whats left is suspension.

[6gsillyca]

could be warped rotors, if it isn't warped that bad it won't shake while braking.

if its the noise I'm thinking of, my car is doing the same thing. if it were consistent like yours seems to be I would check my wheel bearing. only thing is my car doesn't do it in a single particular situation, like only when I turn to the left at a certain speed. sometimes I hear it from the front right when I turn sometimes I don't, other times I hear it from the rear when I'm going straight but again not all the time, it's very random.

If it was warped rotors, then i should be able to hear something when I apply the brakes (in theory, same should apply to rusted rotors, no?)

Do you know what your issues are?


What is "outting load"?

What would I look for in either a bad wheel bearing or top strut mount bearing.


This post has been edited by 6gsillyca: Apr 13, 2007 - 2:28 AM

[THCelica]

This is random, but, the dust shield behind your brake discs! Have you thought of checking those. The could be shifting just slighty and rubbing the backside of the rotors. It is worth a shot, you never know. But, as far as the scraping thing goes. If its not your brakes, it would have to be suspension or a something loose near the driveline. Underbody plastic, or maybe even your brake hose/cable is being pinched against the rotor.

[hurley97]

look for dried up or non-existent grease in the bearing. you have to take the caliper and brake disc off and I think you may have to take the hub off, I can't remember if you can see the bearing with the hub still on or not. sorry I can't find a picture.

with the strut mount, first check the top nuts on each side are tightened the same amount then check to see if the strut or spring are loose (if you can twist them by hand). you can take out the whole strut assembly and visually inspect the top mount. I would say this was unlikely if you haven't recently had work done on your suspension.

also, like THCelica said, check little things like the back plate behind the disc and just make sure everything is tight in the area thats making the noise.



edit:
as for my issues, when it started I would hear the noise only when I turned (in either direction). then it got very random, it was still only when I turned but not every time I turned and it didn't matter if the corner was fast, slow, left or right and seemingly came from a different wheel each time. it's since progressed to making the noise when I'm driving straight slowly, but only for less than a min and not the whole time but again this does not happen all the time. weird. I might just change my wheel bearings next time I do brakes, I knew one of them was going bad but the rest of them were fine.

This post has been edited by hurley97: Apr 13, 2007 - 9:19 AM