Clunk in steering column

Charger299 · 09-15-2008, 04:37 PM

When I start out at low speed or standing still and turn the wheels I get a clunking sound in the steering column. I don't here the sound in the front end when turning. I can reproduce this sound by turning the wheel from a parked position ,by turning left to right and then back and I can get this clunk a few times. What should I look for. I had a front garage align my front end since it was pulling to the left but it is still pulling. When driving and you let go of the wheel the car immidiately turns to the left.
Could it be a bad tie rod end? Or other front end components.

Supersonic · 09-15-2008, 04:55 PM

I was thinking tie rod end.

If you have an extra person, you can get under the car and have someone turn the wheel. Check for any contact, or suspension deflection. This can help you pinpoint it. I'm also thinking it could be the dog bone in the steering shaft as well, perhaps the bearings are gone and it has too much play.

Does it happen when you turn to the extreme, or just a little off straight?

Charger299 · 09-15-2008, 09:54 PM

I jacked the car up and as hard as it was,I slowly turned the steering wheel with one arm and with the other holding the left tie rod end and I could feel a little thunk. This could explain why it pulls to the left.

Thank You for your help.

Charger299 · 09-24-2008, 09:50 AM

Well it turned out that it wasn't the tie rod end. Mazda has a TSB for steering clunk. You perform the following with your steering wheel. Loosen
the holding lever and swing the wheel up and down a few times. You are supposed to add super grease to the shaft but I didn't do that since the clunking went away.

Rip · 09-24-2008, 11:24 AM

Glad you got it sorted, nothing more annoying then chasing a noise

09-15-2008, 04:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Charger299 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Branford,Ct Posts: 3	Clunk in steering column When I start out at low speed or standing still and turn the wheels I get a clunking sound in the steering column. I don't here the sound in the front end when turning. I can reproduce this sound by turning the wheel from a parked position ,by turning left to right and then back and I can get this clunk a few times. What should I look for. I had a front garage align my front end since it was pulling to the left but it is still pulling. When driving and you let go of the wheel the car immidiately turns to the left. Could it be a bad tie rod end? Or other front end components.

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09-15-2008, 04:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Supersonic Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: New York, NY Posts: 345	I was thinking tie rod end. If you have an extra person, you can get under the car and have someone turn the wheel. Check for any contact, or suspension deflection. This can help you pinpoint it. I'm also thinking it could be the dog bone in the steering shaft as well, perhaps the bearings are gone and it has too much play. Does it happen when you turn to the extreme, or just a little off straight?

09-15-2008, 09:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Charger299 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Branford,Ct Posts: 3	I jacked the car up and as hard as it was,I slowly turned the steering wheel with one arm and with the other holding the left tie rod end and I could feel a little thunk. This could explain why it pulls to the left. Thank You for your help.

09-24-2008, 09:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
Charger299 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Branford,Ct Posts: 3	Well it turned out that it wasn't the tie rod end. Mazda has a TSB for steering clunk. You perform the following with your steering wheel. Loosen the holding lever and swing the wheel up and down a few times. You are supposed to add super grease to the shaft but I didn't do that since the clunking went away.

09-24-2008, 11:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
Rip Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 34	Glad you got it sorted, nothing more annoying then chasing a noise