Thread: Clicking noise when turning wheel

I have the same exact problem with my 04 GT, when your in park and you crank the wheel all the way left or right you get a click noise (usually just one click) I have been trying to figure it out for months and I took it to get checked out and was told its my Rack and Pinion, was told sometimes you get a broken tooth on a gear and it will cause that noise. Gonna take it to dealer to see what they say..just to make sure. the car drives fine with no issues otherwise.

Oh... duh. 1999 GP GT. 3.8L N/A.

Thanks bbfanatic23, I'll take under advisement.

Hello ya'all. Haven't been on lately, I've been busy. I am having the issue of a clicking noise when I turn right. It doesn't happen when I am parked or in drive with the brakes on. It isn't a single click, it's a steady clicking as long as I am turning right. Went to the local dealership and they said it was the wheel bearing. I changed both wheel bearings (not wanting to pay exorbitant shop prices). It didn't fix the issue. Was then told it was brakes and I changed out the brake pads, which were barely worn, and the issue continues. Was told it was the right CV axle, and I changed it out this last weekend. I got it back together thinking I will have finally fixed it! It is still clicking during right-hand turns!! So, I am now seeing on this forum that it could be the struts/mounts/bearings? I am all for replacing part or all of these if needed, but could someone verify this for me? Do I need to replace the mount, bearing and strut? I need to replace the struts anyway, I just want to verify on the bearing and mount part of the equation. I asked the guy at the parts counter and he looked at me like I was nuts. He said "you never replace the bearing or mount".The car has 177K miles and this is the first mechanical work I've had to do on it. Please ask me if I need to provide more info..I appreciate any input ya'all might have. Jim W.

Hello. Would you believe it's your starter? No way you say? I had a similar noise on my 99 Grand Prix. I spent much time and money replacing both axle shafts, hub assemblies, brakes, struts and a broken sway bar( cracked at mounting point). None of these fixed the problem. I took it to a mechanic and they had no idea. I have lots of car guy friends and it baffled them all. While laying underneath the car I had this far reaching theory. What if the starter bendix was hitting the flexplate. I removed the starter and found that the return mechanism on the starter was broke and the bendix was free to float in the starter. When you turn right the momentum is enough to push the bendix into the flex plate creating a rattle or clicking noise. Straighten the wheel and the noise disappears. Simply remove the starter, hold it vertically with the nose pointing downward. If bendix falls, replace the starter. Let me know what you find.

Also, if anyone has replaced the struts themselves, anything I need to know or tricks to doing it? Any favorite brands of struts? I have been known to have a lead foot, but I don't drive fast often or race. A firm comfortable ride is all I need. Thanks again, Jim W.

Ive got a clicking noise on the right side of my car as well, just by driving whether I'm turning the steering wheel or not. I Changed out the pass side hub bearing with no change as well. You might check the abs clip to see if it dragging on any component. If your in need of new struts, you might think about just getting a whole new assembly for each wheel(Strut, coil, and bearing) a pretty easy and straight forward on and off, you'll just need an alignment afterwards. You might also jack up, and jack stand the front of your car, turn it on, let it idle, and see if you can see anything (this is something I'm planning on doing once I get my ac pumping again).

Hello. Would you believe it's your starter? No way you say? I had a similar noise on my 99 Grand Prix. I spent much time and money replacing both axle shafts, hub assemblies, brakes, struts and a broken sway bar( cracked at mounting point). None of these fixed the problem. I took it to a mechanic and they had no idea. I have lots of car guy friends and it baffled them all. While laying underneath the car I had this far reaching theory. What if the starter bendix was hitting the flexplate. I removed the starter and found that the return mechanism on the starter was broke and the bendix was free to float in the starter. When you turn right the momentum is enough to push the bendix into the flex plate creating a rattle or clicking noise. Straighten the wheel and the noise disappears. Simply remove the starter, hold it vertically with the nose pointing downward. If bendix falls, replace the starter. Let me know what you find.