Clunking noise when turning steering wheel
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 130
Likes: 17
From: SO CAL
2008 S550, 2004 G500, 2020 Cayenne
Clunking noise when turning steering wheel
Hi,
I've searched for a while and found somewhat similar issue but my case is a little different, if I missed the thread on the same issue, please let me know also. Here is my problem.
When I turn the steering wheel all the way to the right or left coming out of parking lot with sharp turn at low speed with foot on the brake pedal, it always makes clunking noise from the front. When I put the gear in park and with right foot off the brake pedal, it doesn't make any noise at all while I'm turning the wheel all the way from left to right. So, it makes clunking noise with foot on the brake while making a sharp turn at low speed but no noise at all at any other instances. It's been a while and I'm ready to take the car to indie shop, but I'd like to ask if any of you had experienced similar issue and if you know what's causing this issue.
Thank you in advance for your input.
I've searched for a while and found somewhat similar issue but my case is a little different, if I missed the thread on the same issue, please let me know also. Here is my problem.
When I turn the steering wheel all the way to the right or left coming out of parking lot with sharp turn at low speed with foot on the brake pedal, it always makes clunking noise from the front. When I put the gear in park and with right foot off the brake pedal, it doesn't make any noise at all while I'm turning the wheel all the way from left to right. So, it makes clunking noise with foot on the brake while making a sharp turn at low speed but no noise at all at any other instances. It's been a while and I'm ready to take the car to indie shop, but I'd like to ask if any of you had experienced similar issue and if you know what's causing this issue.
Thank you in advance for your input.
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 108
Likes: 23
2018 S450 4Matic, 2020 GLE450 4Matic, 2010 S550 4Matic(sold), 2012 ML350 4Matic(sold)
Sounds like you may have the issue with the front sway bar bushings. Does it make the noise when driving over a speed bump or a driveway curb?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 130
Likes: 17
From: SO CAL
2008 S550, 2004 G500, 2020 Cayenne
Hi,
Mine is RWD, and it's fine going over the bump or anything except when I turned the wheel all the way to the right or left and unwinding at the low speed with foot on the brake. The other day, I put the car on jack stands and visually checked all front end parts which looked all good. Although mine is 08 I just have 34000 miles on it, everything looked still new, at least visually. However, I did notice one thing and I'm hoping someone can comment on this. The outer tie rod on steering linkage sits really close to the backing plate on front brakes. I think there are less than 1/2" clearances between them when the wheels are straight. When I turned the steering wheels with the car on jack stands, it cleared fine but it makes me wonder if tie rods are hitting the backing plate when car is on ground with wheels turned all the way to one direction. I've also noticed the same marks on both side of backing plates right by the tie rods.
Is this coincidence?
Mine is RWD, and it's fine going over the bump or anything except when I turned the wheel all the way to the right or left and unwinding at the low speed with foot on the brake. The other day, I put the car on jack stands and visually checked all front end parts which looked all good. Although mine is 08 I just have 34000 miles on it, everything looked still new, at least visually. However, I did notice one thing and I'm hoping someone can comment on this. The outer tie rod on steering linkage sits really close to the backing plate on front brakes. I think there are less than 1/2" clearances between them when the wheels are straight. When I turned the steering wheels with the car on jack stands, it cleared fine but it makes me wonder if tie rods are hitting the backing plate when car is on ground with wheels turned all the way to one direction. I've also noticed the same marks on both side of backing plates right by the tie rods.
Is this coincidence?
Last edited by YCHU; Jun 6, 2017 at 11:06 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
i know the answer but will not provide it to you as you should be punished for not driving enough such a nice car 
on a more serious note - it could be many things- hard to tell over the internet. i would bring car to dealer and ask them to hook up a set of chassis ears and determine where the thunk comes from. it could be a caliper, endlinks, steering rack...
on a more serious note - it could be many things- hard to tell over the internet. i would bring car to dealer and ask them to hook up a set of chassis ears and determine where the thunk comes from. it could be a caliper, endlinks, steering rack...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 130
Likes: 17
From: SO CAL
2008 S550, 2004 G500, 2020 Cayenne
This car just had 7,000 miles two years ago when I got it from my friend. You can't punish me for driving over 25,000 miles in two years.
I don't think it's a serious, urgent issue now, however, I'll take it to a competent indie shop or dealer to have a peace of mind. Will update here once I fix the problem.
Thank you.
I don't think it's a serious, urgent issue now, however, I'll take it to a competent indie shop or dealer to have a peace of mind. Will update here once I fix the problem.
Thank you.
