Steering wheel clicks when turning

Rich NewTech · 08-15-2011, 03:57 PM

I have recently began feeling an intermitent clicking sensation in the steering wheel when i turn going at very slow speeds. It is most noticeable when turning into a parking spot or garage.

The only way i can discribe it is that it feels like there is a rock or pebble in the rack and when the pinion gear rolls over it you get a slip or thump. I don't believe this is happening but this is what it feels like.

I brought it to the dealer and we drove it after he had finished a lube and oil change and of course it didn't happen. But it did come back the next day making me think it may be a tie rod end or something that he lubed.

I don't drive it a lot. I've had it six years and i have 42k on it.

Previously i did have a lot of problems with "bump steering" and "wheel shake" but i have installed the L32 crossmember, the stiffening plate and i have installed larger tires. All of this made the "bump steering" and "wheel shake" all but dissapear. Now this is showing up. I'm wonder if this was here all along and now it is noticeable because i've taken care of the more severe issues.

The possible causes that i've read are the column bushings, steering rack, pump and lower steering column.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Richard

VisitorJim · 08-15-2011, 04:34 PM

if the lube job made it go away, i'd guess tie rod ends. the best way to truobleshoot steering problems is to jack the car up/put it on a lift and have someone turn the wheel left and right slowly while you look at the steering components to see something move before the wheels do.

does it do it when the car is not moving?

Rich NewTech · 08-15-2011, 05:17 PM

Yes it does it when the car is stationary but is not as noticeable. If i turn the wheel to one extreme and then to the other extreme it may do it once or twice during that cycle. Or it may not do it at all. That is why i'm having a problem proving it to the dealer.

I also believe it is the tie rod but i also think it could be inside the rack.

I was hoping i would find someone else that has had the problem and found a solution.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks for replying.

Slingshot Lou · 08-15-2011, 05:24 PM

Your problem could be in the steering column there are two bearings that ride on the shaft upper and lower they might need to be replaced or maybe a little grease. Hope this helps.

Rich NewTech · 08-15-2011, 06:11 PM

Thanks, i will pass this info along to my dealer. I'm seeing him tomorrow hopefully he will be able to feel it this time.

Thanks.

lou7777777 · 08-15-2011, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slingshot Lou

Your problem could be in the steering column there are two bearings that ride on the shaft upper and lower they might need to be replaced or maybe a little grease. Hope this helps.

The noise I hear (can only hear it when the engine is off) is a rubbing noise when you turn the wheel slightly right and left, back and forth. So my question is, where are the two bearings and how easy is it to get at them?

Slingshot Lou · 08-16-2011, 05:56 PM

Originally Rich New Tech said it was a clicking not a rubbing thats why I was thinking bearings in the steering colum. As far as the rubbing not sure sorry an if you are not familiar with taking a colum apart I would not attempt it.

Rich NewTech · 08-17-2011, 10:20 AM

Brought it to the dealer yesturday and of course i couldn't get it to do it for him but, when i discribed that sometimes when i brake or excelerate i get a slight pop in the steering wheel, he said he would order the lower steering arm and bushings. He said that's usually a sign of the problem.

Hope this is the solution.

lou7777777 · 08-17-2011, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slingshot Lou

Originally Rich New Tech said it was a clicking not a rubbing thats why I was thinking bearings in the steering colum. As far as the rubbing not sure sorry an if you are not familiar with taking a colum apart I would not attempt it.

Hey my friend, I may or may not take apart the column, just asking where the two bearing are located. My supposition is one is near the floorboard and one is under the dash. Would that be correct?

Slingshot Lou · 08-17-2011, 02:44 PM

The bearings are located inside the steering colum.

06 Blue SSR · 08-25-2011, 08:24 PM

GM has had popping/clicking noises from the intermedate steering shaft on several vehicle lines. There are several TSB's out on this noise issue. All that is normaly needed to stop the noise is to lube the slip joint in the intermadate shaft. I have done several vehicles with this noise and the lube job cures the noise.

Rich NewTech · 09-21-2011, 06:00 PM

Well i just got my car back after they installed a lower steering column shaft and told me that the upper shaft needed replacement as well. So i've driven my car for a couple of hours and most of the clicking has gone away. However, it goes away complletely if i tilt the steering wheel up one notch (i usually have the wheel tilted down). I know someone will tell me to keep it in the upper position but it is not very comfortable even though the clicking goes away. The mechanic showed me the upper shaft (the original one) and it has a universal joint in the middle which he indicated was worn causing the clicking noise. My question now is there a universal joint inside the tilting mechanism that may be worn as well causing the clicking noise when i turn the wheel?
Has anyone has any experience with this?

Thanks.