steering problem?

[soundbombing]

I have a MSP and was wondering if someone could help me out. Im not sure if this is normal or not but . . . I noticed a clunk possibly in the steering while parked. While the car is on, turn the wheel SWIFTLY to the right/left (I forgot which way makes the noise) and let go quickly so it will retract to its normal position as much as possible. To me, I hear an unusual sound that is more noticeable while the hood is popped. Has anyone experienced this or can they try it out on their MP3/MSP? Thanks for any help, its really bothering me.

p.s. My steering wheel is not perfectly centered but the alignment is good. Nothing that really bothers me because of the slight imperfection but dont know if the info makes a difference.

 

[JasonH]

Why would you turn the steering wheel when you're not moving? It's not really meant to do that, so I imagine there are some strange loads placed on the steering/suspension components that aren't there in normal operation. You're probably hearing something load up and release. So stop doing that.

 

[turbolsd]

doesn't the msp have a two way lsd? Maybe it's the sound of the lsd, i really don't know.

 

[slug420]

yea, probably some rod somewhere is gettin twisted out of its mind trying to rotate 14 inches of rubber with 2700 lbs on em and a clunk is its way of sayin "stop it ya bastid"

 

[soundbombing]

JasonH

Your help of "stop doing that" isn't actually helping bro. You must not understand what I'm writing. If you think I mean "crank" the wheel to the fullest or most part, that isn't it. Nothing is "loading" up and releasing.

 

[JasonH]

Re: JasonH

Your help of "stop doing that" isn't actually helping bro. You must not understand what I'm writing. If you think I mean "crank" the wheel to the fullest or most part, that isn't it. Nothing is "loading" up and releasing.

Okay, then you have to explain what you're doing better, because I don't understand. Are you sitting still and turning the steering wheel? If the answer is "yes" then my question is "why"? That is improper operation of your vehicle. There's no reason to force the wheels to turn while the car is stationary.

If you're moving and steering and the car is still doing the same thing, then you have a problem that should be looked at by your dealer.

 

[Neuticle]

Your help of "stop doing that" isn't actually helping bro

haha. i would love to see you try to drive a car without power steering.

make sure your car is moving before trying to crank your wheel around.

 

[Grimace]

Im not sure if this is normal or not but . . . I noticed a clunk possibly in the steering while parked. While the car is on, turn the wheel SWIFTLY to the right/left (I forgot which way makes the noise) and let go quickly so it will retract to its normal position as much as possible. To me, I hear an unusual sound that is more noticeable while the hood is popped.

Since you are parked while you are doing that, don't! Its called dry steering, and its not good for the car (and yes, even if you aren't hitting opposite lock). When the wheels aren't turning (i.e. you aren't moving) and you turn the steering wheel, it puts a tremendous strain on the power steering system. That said, its sometimes necessary to do this (like when getting out of a tight parking spot) but avoid it whenever possible.
That said, please stop swiftly turning your steering wheel back and forth while parked! I can't imagine what that is doing to the car. Of course you are going to hear sounds! Its the car screaming in pain! Seriously, that is really bad for the car. Why the hell would you need to turn the wheel back and forth rapidly while at a standstill anyway?

 

[JasonH]

Why the hell would you need to turn the wheel back and forth rapidly while at a standstill anyway?

DUH! To see what kind of noise it makes, of course .

 

[AGR]

DUH! To see what kind of noise it makes, of course .

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(rofl)(rofl)

Cheers!
(drinks)

 

[soundbombing]

Wow!

Damn, this sucks. I'm just asking a question and SOME of you guys are acting all billy bad ass, whatever. After when you guys park and you want to straigten your wheels an inch or two so they'll be straight and you here the sound then I hope you realize what an ass you were. But wait, most of you park perfectly straight in ever situation so you'll never experience it, I forgot about that.

 

[Neuticle]

But wait, most of you park perfectly straight in ever situation so you'll never experience it, I forgot about that.

my wheels are always moving when i turn the wheel. even if your just creeping, one way or another my wheels are moving.

 

[gotdlife]

Sorry soundboom it is maybe some tough love. It is good advice none the less. If I were you I would listen. Never turn your wheels unless the car is moving unless you have NO other option. If you want to straighten your wheels then rock the car back a little or something.

I am sure the sound you are hearing is the power assisted steering having to work too hard.

Jason

 

[soundbombing]

thanks jason, but you can also hear it at a slight roll.

 

[mnkyboy]

I have a very similar sound coming from my steering also. Im not sure if anyone else does this, but do you lock your steering wheel after you turn your car off? This is when I hear the sound. If I let go of the steering wheel after turning it clockwise a bit, it will bounce back making this noise. I also hear this noise when my steering wheel moves after I back out of my driveway.

I have brought my car into the dealership about this, but they said "Mazda doesnt have a fix for this". I dont understand why the dealers play these games with us. If I brought my car to my regular mechanic, he would figure out what is causing the problem and fix it. Mazda dealers on the other hand do a *simple* diagnostic test, then call Mazda and tell them they hear a noise in a particular location. If Mazda doesnt have that problem on file, then the dealer cannot do anything until Mazda has a *fix*. Does this make any sense to you, or is my dealer blowing me off? I even called the Service Manager the other day to complain, and he gave the the same story as above and said "Our hands are tied, we cannot do anything." He says the noise is "normal" on all Proteges, YET I just started to have this noise about a 3 months ago. I have about 9900 miles on my car. The noise is not incredibly annoying or effect my driving, BUT I dont want it to cost *me* alot of money down the road.

Any suggestions? Is this normal? If it is normal, what is the noise and why does it only happen when I turn the wheel clockwise?

 

[tttP5]

i've had the same problem and I started this thread:

http://www.protege5.com/vbb225/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14261


mnkyboy is exactly right, the noise happens on the slight bounce back after turning the wheel swiftly.... forgot which direction it happens in but one happens in one direction.....

I've tried it even when the car is rolling and it still makes the same sound.... and also ever since I noticed this sound I notice the same clunk sound whenever I go over some bumps/cracks. (not all bumps will reproduce the sound) I dunno if its coming from my shock/struts cause the sound comes from directly infront of the gauge cluster....

 

[mnkyboy]

i've had the same problem and I started this thread:

http://www.protege5.com/vbb225/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14261


mnkyboy is exactly right, the noise happens on the slight bounce back after turning the wheel swiftly.... forgot which direction it happens in but one happens in one direction.....

I've tried it even when the car is rolling and it still makes the same sound.... and also ever since I noticed this sound I notice the same clunk sound whenever I go over some bumps/cracks. (not all bumps will reproduce the sound) I dunno if its coming from my shock/struts cause the sound comes from directly infront of the gauge cluster....

THATS EXACTLY THE NOISE I HAVE! If this noise is indeed "normal" like our dealerships say, why dont ALL Proteges have the noise?

Like I said, it only started happening about 3-4mths ago. I put off checking with Mazda USA directly, but Im thinking about calling them to express my concern for this.

Did you find anything else different about your car since this noise started?

 

[tttP5]

THATS EXACTLY THE NOISE I HAVE! If this noise is indeed "normal" like our dealerships say, why dont ALL Proteges have the noise?

Like I said, it only started happening about 3-4mths ago. I put off checking with Mazda USA directly, but Im thinking about calling them to express my concern for this.

Did you find anything else different about your car since this noise started?

I've also noticed a clunk sound that comes from directly behind the gauge cluster when I go over uneven roads or small bumps at around 35mph or so.... this will be impossible to replicate for the dealer cause it doesn't always happen.... but you know when its happening for sure cause its like theres someone knocking directly onto the dash infront of you.

This clunk sound sounds a lot like the steering clunk but louder....

I'm not sure if I'm just imagining things but I try to listen really closely when I go over bumps and it seems like it could be coming from the front left suspension too....

I'm going into the dealer on 24th Mar to get them to check....

 

[tttP5]

i hope you don't get this noise too because it is really disturbing/worrying

 

[gunners]

Has anyone been able to resolve this prolem? Seems I'm getting a strange "creaking/clicking" noise from the steering whenever I turn the wheel while I'm braking