I have a clicking sound when I turn my steering wheel sharply..Pics inside

[Qualitywires.com]

I have this clicking sound when I turn my steering wheel
hard to the left or right. I think I get this sound when
I have a bit of frame flex. I took off my wheel to see
if I could see the problem. My steering is tight
and the tie rods are tight too. Then I noticed
the bracket where the alighment cam is located at.
The little metal stop is bent. Look at the pic below:

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

Below is my passenger side which is normal:

You must be registered for see images

If you noticed on the passenger side it is not bent
but the driver's side is slightly bent. I assume
what is happening is when the frame is flexed a
little the cam is resting right on the edge of
the metal stop and clicks when the frame flexes a little.

How the heck would that bracket get bent???
My car has never been in an accident, but has had
an alighment done in the past. The bracket
is in a spot where it would be impossible
to get bent by road debris. I'm thinking
maybe it's a defect or the tech who alighn
my suspension hit it with something?

How would you suggest I fix this minor problem?
Should I try to bend it back into place?
Not sure. Any advice would help!

 

[carguy07]

Just a guess, but maybe a floor jack or lift placed in the wrong spot?

 

[GTS Dean]

AB -

The bent stop is from some ****** who didn't unload the suspension before making an adjustment. Or, he loosened the locknut too much and the bolt moved forward and the cam rotated out before the nut was tightened back down. A stout prybar will bring it back into shape.

As for your clicking sound, that's probably not the source. It could either be time for wheel bearings, or your steering rack mount is cracked. Have you done the recall yet?

 

[GTSnake]

I have the same/similar situation. When i turn my wheel hard to the right as I'm lining up to go into the garage I hear a click. I don't really notice it turning hard left. I'm going to have to check my suspension too....

 

[Qualitywires.com]

GTS Dean,

Thanks for the advice. I did pry it back into place and still have the clicking sound when I turn the wheel hard right or maybe left. What else do you think would cause this? Steering rack? You said something like wheel bearings? I would think that I would hear a whopping sound while driving which I don't. I did have my recall work done already and that is solid.

 

[GTS Dean]

Does the click occur when rolling, or sitting still and just turning the steering wheel? If you've had the tires changed or rebalanced recently, one of the weights could be touching the caliper as the wheel rotates.

If the noise happens sitting still, try turning off the engine and cranking the wheel from lock to lock while someone looks/listens for anything strange. You probably need to do this with weight on the wheels. An alignment rack or 4-post lift will be the best places to evaluate it. If you can't get onto a lift, try removing the filler panels behind the headlight pods and the air cleaner assembly. This will allow you to view the steering rack and inboard tie rods as they cycle under load.

 

[ceieio]

ab - didn't you recently get engaged? It is your ring clicking on the wheel as you turn it.