Popping Sound When Turning Steering Wheel

[Deepcrates]

Hey All -

Just over 2K miles and been daily driving it with a very relaxed drive most days. Today was no different but then I went out later in the evening and the car suddenly started making a popping noise around the lower part of the steering column whenever I turn the wheel left or right.

It doesn’t have to be at full lock, and sometimes changes when the pops happen (not at the same point every time). I’ll get one, sometimes two or three little “pops”.

No difference in steering or any noticeable feel. Went under to look and nothing sticks out or looks out of place.

Not lifted. Fox steering stabilizer. Only thing I’ve done recently is aftermarket wheels on the OEM tires. Close to OEM offset and 17” wheel. All lugs are tightened.

Sound really feels like it’s coming from around steering column but a little lower than the steering wheel. Seems like it’s in the dash but lower towards footwell.

I’ve got a short road trip planned and am concerned about it. Or is this a minor thing that people have been living with?

Anything I should look for or mention to the service team at the dealer?

Thanks in advance!

 

[anand]

If you quickly rotate the steering wheel left and right (maybe 1/4 turn each way) is there a knocking? If so, it sounds like you may need a steering column

 

[landmannnn]

IG replaced my steering column. They had one in stock, so not uncommon I guess.

 

[bigleonski]

I got the steering “clunk” after a week of wheeling around Fraser Island. For the most part reasonably straightforward sand driving, although a few instances of launching up steep entry points or stretches of very soft sand with a lot of bounce shaking things about. Clunk in the same spot as you rotated the wheel 3 clunks to the left, three clunks to the right.
It has settled down now I’ve been home for a week, but still there occasionally.
There’s a few threads on the clunk.
I’ve done nearly 9000km and will get it serviced at 10,000km so will get Ignition to look at it when they charge me an obnoxious amount of money for what is a simple service.

 

[Phred]

I don’t get a firm clunk, but a slight groan when I first turn. Noticeable but not alarming, I was putting it on my list for first servicing.

 

[Julian]

I had this quite early on, maybe around 1,000 to 2,000 miles driven but it's not reoccurred since then and I'm now over 6,000 miles on the odo. It had stopped before I got around to contacting the service centre.

 

[UncleBuck]

I have the same knocking/clunk sound. I started around 2000 miles on the ODO, and now at 10,000 it still happens. It is not quite as loud now. My understanding is a bearing somewhere at or near the firewall through which the steering column passes gets boogerd up and needs replacing. It is on my list of things to get repaired when I go for my 12k service.