36 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHSteering knocking
Reported or suspected cause
arizona iced tea bottle rolling around
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported cause
I had a similar problem and it turned out to be an Arizona Iced Tea bottle rolling around under my passenger's side front seat.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
With the car supported by its body lift points you (or your mechanic) can grasp and give all the steering, suspension hardware a good shake to check for any excessive play or looseness.
Leading evidence: 'arizona iced tea bottle rolling around' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'arizona iced tea bottle rolling around' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check any excessive play or looseness' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported cause
I had something similar to what you described, mine turned out to be front tires that were shot.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
My mechanic said he checked for loose suspension bits, but found nothing.
Inspect original bearings and top mounts, they all looked fine
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
When I inspected the original bearings and top mounts, they all looked fine.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Check any excessive play or looseness
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
With the car supported by its body lift points you (or your mechanic) can grasp and give all the steering, suspension hardware a good shake to check for any excessive play or looseness.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Then I think you need to get the car in the air -- lift the car by the body lift points, not the tires/wheels -- and have its underside checked for any thing that could account for the noise.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
I'd go so far as to expose the power steering rack and the steering hardware -- based on the underbody areas of cars I've seen this will require one or more plastic underbody panels be removed -- and check for anything loose or worn.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
(Be sure the spare tire and all the tool kit hardware, jack, etc are secure.) Check the cabin too for any loose foreign object and this includes of course under the seats.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
36 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
A couple of times recently, after a long, hot drive, I've noticed a a slight knocking sensation through the steering wheel. The engine sounds fine, with no detectable noise coming from the rear and its only after extended trips that I notice this. I have absolutely no idea what can be causing it. Any ideas, speculation? Cheers, --H
I think I have the same problem! After a long ride, you hear bumps coming through the steering wheel - sounds like you have a toolbox floating around in the trunk? - my mechanic thought it could be the front shock mounts - and said leave it alone.
Check the power steering fluid level is ok.
Then I think you need to get the car in the air -- lift the car by the body lift points, not the tires/wheels -- and have its underside checked for any thing that could account for the noise. A partial list would be a broken sway bar link; a loose/broken sway bar mount bushing; any steering or suspension bushing including the rear ones... cars have a funny way of making a noise from one end of the car appear like it is coming from the other end...; motor/transmission mounts; and any loose/cracked/missing body underpanels, including the fender well liners.
I'd go so far as to expose the power steering rack and the steering hardware -- based on the underbody areas of cars I've seen this will require one or more plastic underbody panels be removed -- and check for anything loose or worn. Check for any other lines or hardware, brackets/etc loose or out of place. While you there check the steering rack dust boots for any presence of fluid. Give 'em a squeeze, but not too hard cause if they have any fluid the squeeze can cause the boot to pop and spray you with power steering fluid.
With the car supported by its body lift points you (or your mechanic) can grasp and give all the steering, suspension hardware a good shake to check for any excessive play or looseness. Look at the springs for any signs one is broken (does the car sit low/high on one corner? -- get a tape measure) or a strut/shock is leaking.
Check brake lines are properly routed and held secure to prevent any flopping about.
Last (or maybe this should be first...) be sure there is nothing: a bottle, can, golf ball, something; loose in the front trunk. (Be sure the spare tire and all the tool kit hardware, jack, etc are secure.) Check the cabin too for any loose foreign object and this includes of course under the seats. Watch it there are some edges/pointy things under there!
Sincerely,
Macster.
Thats a really great reply macster, thanks for taking the time to write it.
I laughed when I read the part about loose golf ***** etc. but then I realized i hadn't acually checked under the boot carpet to see if the spare and tools etc. were secure.
Thanks again, gives me a great place to start - much appreciated.
I am almost positive that it's something to do with the front suspension, either bushings, or shock mounts, etc. I only hear the noise and feel the "thumps" in the steering wheel when the suspension goes over bumps, after the car is warmed up.
My mechanic said he checked for loose suspension bits, but found nothing. He said it could be the shock mounts, but to find out, he would have to take the shocks off, and since the problem isn't safety related, it would probably not be worth it.
Sounds kinda lazy, no?
Past posts have shown this to be very often tie rod ends. And for some wierd reason, all the grabbing and checking for looseness, etc, shows nothing. My car does the same thing, and like yours, only after driven a while. Mechanics felt it too, found nothing. Mine USED to also have the creaking, clunking noise, from just steering and tiny bumps, after driven a bit, but that did turn out to be something with the strut top mounts, either the bearing or the top hat, but after I installed the PSS9s with new bearings and X74 top mount, all gone. When I inspected the original bearings and top mounts, they all looked fine. No slop, discerable wear or worn bearings. Just wierd.
I had a similar problem and it turned out to be an Arizona Iced Tea bottle rolling around under my passenger's side front seat. I don't ever eat or drink in the car, so this possibility never crossed my mind. It turned out that my son left the bottle there. My independent mechanic got a good chuckle out of that one...
I had something similar to what you described, mine turned out to be front tires that were shot. The tread was fine but the rubber had hardened. New front Contisports and all was well!
Yes Capt., all stock.
Some great posts here btw, I really appreciate it.
Took the car on a long, hot drive again on Saturday and this time it was much less noticeable, only making itself known when I got off the freeway and went very slowly in 1st/2nd through a car park with rough surface.
As tires warm up the pressure rises. Maybe you feel vibration from worn out shock absorbers on the front which you don;t feel on softer colder tires. Bounce the car up and down at the front and see do you hear any knocking. You may hear something even on cold softer tires.
The constant knocking/chattering over bumps after the front suspension is warm is the inner tie rods as posted here before
Not too hard to swap out, but I have a set on Longacre toe plates to reset to the toe myself. Complete cure.
The tie rod ends use a junky polymer bushing that squeeks when worn out. After I had them on the bench you could feel the very small amount of slop in one of the old inner tie rods.
only the toe setting, which is easy if you do yourself or cheap if it is all you ask for
if you do your own work, toe plates are worth every penny, take a look
Amazon
Amazon
Not sure what your problem is, but mine was that terrible squeeky rattly sound over bumps after driving for a bit. I had no looseness in the steering.
Mine had zero play also, handled great otherwise so it took me awhile to decide to replace the inner toe links, I replaced the outer toe links since I had it apart anyways. As I mentioned before, the play on the bench was very small, but was enough for it to make that crappy noise.
I had replaced all the sway-bar links with no relief previously.
There is a previous post from a few years back where someone nailed it and could make the old inner tie rods squeek on the bench, look it up
worked for me and the car is once more enjoyable
Mine isn't a squeaking noise, it just feels like rattling, felt in the steering wheel. Like someone was knocking on the hood whenever the car hit a bump.
Just felt or more heard than felt? That's tie rods, even though there is zero play. I think that when the car is on a lift, there is pressure against the tie rods you feel no play. It is only those small bumps after is is warmed up you feel/hear them. Annoying, but not dangerous or performance reducing.
That's probably why my mechanic said there was nothing loose - with the car on the lift.
I hear it, AND feel it in the steering wheel, more of a knocking. But yes, the small bumps bring out the noise/rattling.
A full set of tie rods is about $200 plus labor. If that would solve the problem, I think it's worth it since the noise detracts from the driving experience !
My car only has 24k on it, so the struts are probably fine. I am guessing it's the tie rods, so when I get some extra money, I'll buy a set and bring the car in to my mechanic. Not sure what labor usually is on the tie rod replacement?
As an update, I notice my car tends to feel like it's very darty at high speed - like the steering is either super sensitive, or, something is loose!
I heard my rattling again when I got home, and notice I can get it to rattle when sitting at a light, and I turn my steering wheel left and right quickly.
Is that more evidence that it's tie rods, or something else?
When was the last time you had the car professionally aligned? If the car feels twitchy at high speed, that's often a side affect of having very little toe-in or even a bit of toe-out in the front.
Interesting, good idea. I just had the car aligned when I got my new tires in November. Could be they gave me too little toe in. Maybe I should have it re-done at another place.
But, if I need new tie rods, or something else, I'll wait to get the alignment done.
My local guy said it's the lower control arm bushing that has play due to age. The slight knocking is only apparent at low speed over rough surface and when car is WARM (when cold it's absolutely fine.)
Ive got the same problem... its annoying. I replaced the sway bar links hoping that would help and they needed replacement anyway, but its still there.
