Steering wheel CLUNK

[newprot5fan]

Hey all..

Been kind of ignoring this noise, but thought I should ask about it anyway.
I get a loud clunk whenever my steering wheel is cut to the left or right and I try and move it back to the center quickly. For example, if I am parked, and I cut my wheel to the right (doesn't matter how far), and try and straighten it out fast, there is a loud CLUNK when I bring it back left . I know my roomates civic doesn't do this.

THe car seems to handle tightly, so no loss of control or anything, just a loud scary noise...What do you guys think? Oh, and also, maybe my power steering is goin or something because it is certainly NOT quiet when I cut the wheel near or at the extreme....I would think it should be quieter than it is, but maybe I am wrong.

Anyway, just wondering might be causing the clunking. PLEASE tell me it isn;t expensive...

 

[MakeMeGoFast]

subbing, Im hearing the same noise. Among other things

 

[aMaff]

you check the PS fluid?

 

[mymp5]

or have you checked the trans axles boots for cracks or holes might of thrown all the grease and is rusting

 

[671_p5]

This may sound stupid but one time I had a clunk and it was just that I forgot to lock the steering wheel to keep it from moving up and down. (peep)

 

[newprot5fan]

This may sound stupid but one time I had a clunk and it was just that I forgot to lock the steering wheel to keep it from moving up and down. (peep)

haha....that's a good one No, it is locked.

And there are no cracks in the boots and the fluid level is good.

Since it doesn;t seem to be affecting anything, do you think I should just live with it?

 

[Salmon_Rob]

ive had this since ive had the car, taken it in like eleventy billion times, they cant find anything, it doesnt seem to hurt anything, so i live with it

 

[SuperProtege5]

It could be a sway bar bushing or something down in that area.

 

[liljae8]

same freaking sound.

 

[thrasher]

I also have a little clunk if I wiggle the steering wheel. I've got new tie rod ends and it didn't help. Could just be a little play in the rack I guess.

 

[Purrfectangel]

Has the clunk always been there, or just something that came about recently?

I have major clunk in my front end and a little in the back but mine is because I need two new sets of sway bar bushings and endlinks in the front and one set in the back. I don't feel it in the steering wheel tho, just a lot of racket up front on bumpy roads is all.

 

[Salmon_Rob]

this isnt bushing related, it isnt fluid level related, it isnt torn boots, it is really baffling

 

[shoughun]

I think you have a bad outer Mazda tie rod end... It will sound like a bad shock or spring when you push down on that corner of the car. It has been described sometimes as making a soft "huunngh" sighing kind of sound, and sometimes as a "clunk", when turning to the left at slow, parking lot speeds, and when driving slowly on uneven roads, or when turning the steering wheel while the car is stopped. A good way to check the tie rod ends is to jerk on the wheel hub and see how much play you are getting in the tie rod end ball joint. You should check the outer tie rod ends whenever you have your car up on a lift.

This joint has a very strong torque load when turning, and when the grease from the outer tie rod end is gone, the result is extra pressure on the inner tie rod. This probably adds to the premature failure of inner tie rods, and the primary symptom of this combination is the "clunk" in tight parking lot turns. The reason for the clunk is because the 'de-greased' outer tie rod resists turning, returns a torque (moment arm), which will hold the inner tie rod against the side of the socket, such that when the torque is then decreased, the inner tie rod will snap back, or "clunk." After several times of the rod snapping back, it is bound to give, and do so catastrophically. So, don't wait for the catastrophic situation happens... Good luck!!!