Knocking feel from steering on Mazdaspeed6

[chuyler1]

When changing direction with the steering wheel I feel a distinct knocking feeling come from the wheel. I can also feel it in the brake pedal when I am at a stop and turn lock to lock and reverse. When I'm driving over rough patches of pavement I can feel it then too. Any thoughts to what this might be? I did a quick visual check of the suspension but I'm not sure what to look for. The car has 63K miles on it. Power steering fluid isn't low.

 

[chuyler1]

Anyone?

 

[USAFVMI08]

I get this too. Glad I'm not the only one. I'm kinda wondering if one of my tie rod ends are giving up on me...

 

[Bulgsta]

same. but i get it once i give gas on like a 90 degree turn..

 

[chuyler1]

Ok, I took it to the dealership. My car is still covered under an extended warranty so I figured the most it would cost is the $100 deductable. It turned out that the steering column shaft needed lubrication. It cost me $130 since it is considered "normal wear and tear". I suppose it could've been much worse.

Before they lubed the steering shaft, I could consistently duplicate the popping sound/feeling by turning the wheel 90 degrees one way and then 90 degrees the other way while parked. After I change direction the wheel would pop and you could even feel it in the brake pedal. I also felt it under cornering when weight shifted. For example pulling out of a gas station with a rough transition to the road, or cornering hard around a highway on ramp. I tried all of these scenarios after getting my car back from the dealership and everything is back to working order. No pops or sounds when I turn the wheel.

 

[USAFVMI08]

Hm. Interesting. I may have to get that looked into.

 

[erick pina]

I had that happen to my 6 too, but it was covered under warranty at 22.5K.

 

[bova80]

all you have to do is telescope the steering wheel in and out and this should fix the issue. or take it to the dealer and have them grease it up.

 

[chuyler1]

Thanks bova80, a little late for me though. If it happens again I'll try that.

 

[USAFVMI08]

Did the telecoping of the steering wheel...problem solved! Thanks!

 

[MAZDASPEED619]

Gotta try the telescoping of the steering wheel trick, thanks!

 

[IHeartGroceries]

What horse hockey. There is a TSB for this issue. If they greased the spline at the end of the steering column shaft, somebody owes you $130!

 

[xfeejayx]

all you have to do is telescope the steering wheel in and out and this should fix the issue. or take it to the dealer and have them grease it up.

you might have just saved me some $$.

What horse hockey. There is a TSB for this issue. If they greased the spline at the end of the steering column shaft, somebody owes you $130!

link to TSB?

Which splines are these, the ones in the telescope? it felt to me like it was in the ujoints down at the bottom. Looks like I could open one bolt and take the lower end off, lube it, put it back on.

 

[chuyler1]

Just because there is a TSB, I don't think that means I should get it repaired for free. It just means the service technicians know how to deal with it. If the car were still under the factory warranty then it should have been free. In any case, I'll just telescope the wheel the next time. Live and learn.

 

[Guest20182]

What horse hockey. There is a TSB for this issue. If they greased the spline at the end of the steering column shaft, somebody owes you $130!

They don't HAVE to honor a TSB like they do a recall though. Especially if you aren't under warranty.

 

[TRXSandRacer02]

It is very common on the 6's for intermediate shaft clunking noises. Just remove the lower pinch bolt to the steering rack and spray white lithium grease or ptfe lubricant in the shaft and move it well. Then reinstall and it should be good. I have replaced a lot though that grease doesnt fix it

 

[Semp]

Sorry to bring back this thread from the dead, but I wanted to thank chuyler1 for this thread and the solution to the knocking! I recently purchased a used speed6 and noticed that it was making this weird clunking/knocking sound when turning. It was not noticeable at all on the road or highway, but when I came into a parking lot or any tight space where turning the wheel significantly was required, I could hear the knocking. I was quite sure it was a tie rod end. Anyways I noticed the knocking when I was test driving the car, and managed to knock $1500 off the price because if it. Turns out all I needed to do was move the steering wheel up and down a few times and it was gone! I was amazed that it actually fixed it. It really felt and sounded like a tie rod end had become loose.

Anyways, thanks again, defiantly saved me some $$$.