Light clicking noise from Steering Column or Steering.

[tobesi]

Hi folks,

How are you all? I am a new member on this forum. :tup::tup:

I recently purchased my 09 Legacy, and I love it so far; as it's comfy and quiet. (I also own a 07 Civic Si)

Couple days ago I was dropping my friend off the airport and I notice that my Legacy had this clicking noise from the Steering Column while turning right. The noise is really light and it sounds like dropping a small mental on a table or the signal click; but the clicks is 3 times faster. Despite this noise, the car drives fine; steering is really smooth even with this noise.

The noise happens 1 out of 5 times when I turn right and it appears to happen more frequently on bumpy roads.

I brought my car to the dealership and have them take a look. At first, they cannot reproduce this issue; I drove the car with the mechanic and we were able to reproduce it. The mechanic inspected the suspension and steering and could not found any problem with it. But later, they said the noise was coming from one of the bushings in the steering rack, so they replaced it under warranty.

I got my car back last week and drove it around the blocks and I noticed that the clicking noise happens more frequent than before the service. It also happens when turning left too.

I searched the forum and noticed that people had this issues with CV joints and steering rack; but my mechanic couldn't find any problems. I am planning to ask my mechanic to take a look at the steering column and other places.

Any help with this problem is much appreciated.

thanks
tobesi

[Dookie]

Are you feeling any vibrations in the steering wheel when it happens, or is it just the sound? If you are feeling vibrations, then yes, have them inspect the rack and CV joints.

[blackfang]

Honestly and do not take this the wrong way.

Have them inspect the steering rack and the cv shafts. If they are not making the noise, then leave it alone. Chances are you concern is very small and you will probably end up with more noises if they have to keep going in and removing stuff trying to diagnose and fix the issue. It is very tough when the noise is really faint.

My Legacy has the famous dash rattle and no way in hell am I risking making the noises worse or disturbing something else that can go away with the touch of the volume knob.

Now if your concern becomes more frequent where it happens every time and becomes a lot more noticeable, then take it in.

[tobesi]

Honestly and do not take this the wrong way.

Have them inspect the steering rack and the cv shafts. If they are not making the noise, then leave it alone. Chances are you concern is very small and you will probably end up with more noises if they have to keep going in and removing stuff trying to diagnose and fix the issue. It is very tough when the noise is really faint.

My Legacy has the famous dash rattle and no way in hell am I risking making the noises worse or disturbing something else that can go away with the touch of the volume knob.

Now if your concern becomes more frequent where it happens every time and becomes a lot more noticeable, then take it in.

You are right, after the warranty service, the clicking noise becomes worst. I am going to ask them to replace the half shaft. I talked to people at outback forum, they all say it's the CV joint failing.

[tobesi]

I sent in my car 3 times now. Every time, they replace a few parts, but the clicking sound is still there ...

[Dookie]

Time to replace the dealership?:confused: :lol:

[john]

Time to replace the dealership?:confused: :lol:

Dookie speaks the truth. Try a different dealer.

[tobesi]

Yep, scheduled another service Monday. :)