Light Click Heard While Turning Steering To Left

[Matt M PA]

Hey folks....I noticed a light "click" when I turn the wheel to the left. The car does not have to be moving. It's not very loud and I can't hear it with the windows up.

It seems to happen about once every steering wheel rotation, but does not make the noise then the wheel returns to center or is turned to the right.

I'd be thankful for any thoughts. It's a 2018 with 20,000 miles.

 

[Matt M PA]

Managed to get it on the lift this AM. Here's what I found.

With no weight on the wheels...it's quiet.

On the 4 post, with the car on it's wheels...noise is back. We can actually have it happen regularly by moving the steering wheel about a quarter turn from straight to left. Sounds like the noise is coming from the CV joint. ) A friend who looked at it with me, seems to think that he "felt" it on the tie rod, but I couldn't feel anything when I was underneath.)

 

[Johnbigdog]

It's an 18 with 20K, your still under the bumper to bumper, right? Why are you working one it?

Is it a click like plastic or metalic? It my be related to torque and how much effort you have to exert. Do you only hear it inside the car or out? Maybe stethoscope time or at least a long screw driver. You can always pop off one tie rod at a time to eliminate the strut and tie rod themselves.

 

[Matt M PA]

Correct, yes, under warranty. Just checking it out to get an idea. Unless it's telescoping from somewhere, it''s directly behind the center of the wheel. I know it may sound over the top...but I avoid the dealer's service departments. It just seems that I have problems than answers there...

 

[SHOrod]

There are a lot of things that his could be, but what I'd first focus on is a dry/binding tie rod end, a dry/binding ball joint, and a dry slip joint in the steering linkage. Any of these would be worse under load that with no weight on the wheels.

-Rod

 

[Matt M PA]

An update. I took the car to the dealer on Monday, who diagnosed a bad CV or axle shaft. They had to order the axle shaft, which is an SHO specific part. Today, they replaced the axle shaft and the problem seems to be corrected.

 

[FiveLeeter918]

great to hear! hope it stays that way

 

[Matt M PA]

Well, the noise is back. I drove the car home from the dealership in luring rain, so I didn't hear it. Technician wrote up that the noise was gone.

I spoke to a friend who is the Parts Manager at a local Chrysler dealership. He mentioned that this is a common issue with some minivans. (If I recall correctly) There's a TSB on this, and he said he'd forward the to me. Perhaps that will help direct the techs at the Ford store?

EDIT...I did find an older TSB for earlier Taurus, Explorer, etc...I think unit 2016. Maybe we're onto something...TSB 14-0186

 

[Matt M PA]

Yet another update. I have found that there is an updated TSB, that goes up to 2016.

While it seems to me it should cover 2018s as I can't imagine anything changed....when I search for the part number of the washer...it comes up as not fitting my car. It's #
F2GZ-7G273-A