Clicking sound when turning... what is it?

[Back2Mustangs]

I get a "Click...click...click...click...click..." from my front wheels when turning. If I make a right turn, the left-front wheel clicks. If I make a left turn, the right-front wheel clicks. Never both at the same time. And the click-rate increases as I speed up, and decreases as I slow down. What could this be??

Front suspension mod's include:

Tokico's
Steeda Bump-Steer
Steeda X2 Ball Joints
Polyur. sway bar bushings
Polyur. a-arm bushings
2" fixed-rate springs
4-bolt Caster/Camber plates

Replaced the front wheel bearings when I first got the car. A new power steering rack was recently installed before I bought the car also. But the clicking didn't start until after I did all the suspension mod's to the front. I did it all at the same time about a year ago... car was aligned immidiately after installation of course, and I've checked all of the bolts and bushings to make sure all is secure and torqued correctly. Don't know what is clicking.

 

[screamin gt]

tie rods

 

[WydOpn]

Are you sure its not just as simple as a clearance issue with the inner fender? Maybe one of the screws/pushpins isn't properly in place and the tire is rubbing it - causing it to slap?? I know my tires rub a bit when I have the wheel hard-over, and if thats the case then it would make sense that the 'clicking' would increase with speed...

Hopefully its something simple - let us know what you find out.

 

[DTNODYA]

Tie rods or something with the steering rack most likely .. could be something rubbing I guess ... Easy way to see would be to look at the inner wall of the tire and see if there is any marks.

 

[Rougestang]

try taking off the baseball cards that are attached to your spokes with close pins. jk:OT:

 

[Back2Mustangs]

Forgot about the basball cards...haha. I'm going to install a Tubular k-member, tubular a-arms and new calipers and rotors... that will replace the a-arm bushings. I might replace the wheel bearings again while I'm at it, and if the noise is still there I'll just replace the whole steering rack. Its loud, and annoys me... click...click...click...click... I wonder if I damaged the wheel bearings or something inside the steering rack when I did the a-arm bushings. That was a chore! I remember fighting with the steering rack to get those a-arm bolts out and back in.

 

[fast97gt]

check you brake pads, sometimes the retainer tabs could be sprung to much due to taking the pads off and reinstalling them

 

[WydOpn]

Youre talking about an intermittent click that only occurs while turning and is speed-dependent, right? So why the concern about stationary suspension pieces?

 

[Waterdrake]

if you have stainless steel brake lines, they could be hitting the balance weight on the inside of the rim. happened to me anyway after i threw new pads on. it never snagged though, just hear a click when turning. pretty easy fix too, once i figured what the hell it was. worth a look atleast. just throwin it out there.

 

[Back2Mustangs]

Youre talking about an intermittent click that only occurs while turning and is speed-dependent, right? So why the concern about stationary suspension pieces?

Well it seems to be, but I've learned when troublshooting something on a car, never to discount any possibility. Heck when the idler pulley started whining I thought it was something under the valve-cover...then it seemed to be linked to the A/C compressor because it would be silent until the clutch kicked in... eventually it just began whining all the time. Sounded like some crazy blower-whine because the pitch would increase/decrease with RPM's. I almost replaced my A/C compressor until I found out it was just that stupid pulley.

Anyways, you'd think if it were in the brakes it would make the clicking sound all the time... if it were wheel bearings it would make the noise all the time (probably, but?)... The only sure thing is that it happens only when turning. I'm just going to have to tape a mic to various parts and try to isolate the source. All the parts are going to be replaced within the next six months when the k-member goes in with the new motor. I just don't want something to fail on me while driving.

 

[WydOpn]

All the parts are going to be replaced within the next six months when the k-member goes in with the new motor. I just don't want something to fail on me while driving.

Oh okay - I thought you were talking about replacing the k-member, a-arms, calipers and rotors just to attempt to get rid of the clicking! Seemed kiiind of extreme I did a quick search for this type of problem and it seems that the most common cause was either bad wheel bearings or improperly mounted brake pads - still dont understand why the noise wouldn't be constant if the problem was brake pads though...

Keep us posted - and great lookin Stang btw!!