Steering - Knocking and rattle while turning over bumps

vashim66 · 11-14-2007, 07:03 AM

06 STI.

Here's what happens:
There is a very loud knock/rattle whenever I turn and go over bumps. I can make it happen when i take a 90 degree turn from a stop onto a very bumpy road or if I'm making a a hard turn on an uneven unpaved surface. The knock is clearly coming from the front end of the car.

Dealer has replaced swaybar endlinks and bushings, but didn't do anything. Car is 100% stock.

Any ideas? Im going back to the dealer in a few days to try and fix it again.

dreamvang · 11-16-2007, 10:59 AM

I'm not sure, but if I remembered right, the manual states its normal due to the DCCD center differential doing its job, which results in a clinking or clumping noise.

fromSVXtoSTi · 11-16-2007, 12:44 PM

I've got the same thing on my '06. The easiest way for me to duplicate it is to stop on snow and just turn the steering wheel lock to lock. I get the chatter then with a loud rattle. Unfortunately, I can't do that test very easily at the dealership

It is annoying, though. If the '04's don't have it, I have a feeling it could be from the re-designed rack mounts. The DS mount is about as close as you can get to a solid mount, and that means vibrations are easily transmitted.

vashim66 · 11-19-2007, 06:05 AM

OK. Problem is fixed.... the bolt on my power steering fluid lines were way loose causing them to knock against the frame.

I also get the chatter while just turning the wheel on snow...which is a different problem all together (i think). Will find out soon, just had our first flurries in boston this morning!

V8Huntr · 11-26-2007, 07:39 AM

Don't worry the 04s have it too. We have the crappy steering rack bushings that wear out really fast. I just replaced them with Whiteline rack bushings and all of my front end clunking went away!!

fourseasonsandles · 12-06-2007, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vashim66

OK. Problem is fixed.... the bolt on my power steering fluid lines were way loose causing them to knock against the frame.

I also get the chatter while just turning the wheel on snow...which is a different problem all together (i think). Will find out soon, just had our first flurries in boston this morning!

Which bolt are you referring to?! I think I have the same problem and it is driving me insane!

sirs69 · 12-20-2007, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourseasonsandles

Which bolt are you referring to?! I think I have the same problem and it is driving me insane!

+1

.. I always assumed it was a normal sound since many others have complained about it on this board. which bolt?

LSE · 12-30-2007, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirs69

+1

.. I always assumed it was a normal sound since many others have complained about it on this board. which bolt?

+2

same problem here. I was about to take it to the dealer because I'm absolutely fed up with the noise and totally distracts me....it makes me feel like I should stop because my car is falling appart....not the feeling I wanted to have after paying for a "performance car". All i'm doing is as left turn onto a driveway!!!

whitestar · 12-30-2007, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSE

+2

same problem here. I was about to take it to the dealer because I'm absolutely fed up with the noise and totally distracts me....it makes me feel like I should stop because my car is falling appart....not the feeling I wanted to have after paying for a "performance car". All i'm doing is as left turn onto a driveway!!!

+3

Tell us PLEASE!!!

fourseasonsandles · 12-30-2007, 06:03 AM

Mine turned out to be a lose swaybar mount. I checked the end links and even pulled them out to grease them up. Didnt work. Then while still under the car I kept pushing on the sway bar and got the same clunk and creaking sound. Narrowed it down to the sway bar mount that had 1 lose bolt on it. Tightened it up and problem solved.

As far as the bolt that the OP is talking about I think I can describe it. Get under the car near the passenger side. Back year where the sway bar is and axles. I couldnt find an exact picture, but here is an idea..

To the lower left of this bracket and above the subframe (note this picture, top of pic=front of car etc). Above it it you will find your power steering lines. There 2 lanes running together vertically and are held together by a single clamp and a bolt. My lines would move up and down if I jiggled them. I pulled this clamp off, bent it to get more grip and then bolted it back on. Lines no longer move. Though this wasnt the problem in the first place and is only a guess of what OP was talking about.

Ill keep looking for pics and update this if I find one.

vashim66 · 12-30-2007, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourseasonsandles

To the lower left of this bracket and above the subframe (note this picture, top of pic=front of car etc). Above it it you will find your power steering lines. There 2 lanes running together vertically and are held together by a single clamp and a bolt. My lines would move up and down if I jiggled them. I pulled this clamp off, bent it to get more grip and then bolted it back on. Lines no longer move. Though this wasnt the problem in the first place and is only a guess of what OP was talking about.

Didn't realize this thread was still going!

This description above is exactly what the subaru tech found and tightened for me. I've had it fixed twice and i think it's loosening up again already. I wonder if there is an aftermarket piece I could bolt on instead.

Also, anyone know why my car rattles/shudders/feels like its gonna fall apart when I turn my steering wheel stopped while on snow?

LSE · 12-30-2007, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vashim66

Didn't realize this thread was still going!

This description above is exactly what the subaru tech found and tightened for me. I've had it fixed twice and i think it's loosening up again already. I wonder if there is an aftermarket piece I could bolt on instead.

Also, anyone know why my car rattles/shudders/feels like its gonna fall apart when I turn my steering wheel stopped while on snow?

why does it only do it on snow and not on gravel or grass? It may have something to do with having less resistance to turning the wheel when you're on snow. does it do this if you lift the front tires and turn?

vashim66 · 12-30-2007, 01:50 PM

I have no idea why it happens. It only happens in packed powder, not hardened or slushy snow. Very weird. It usually only happens when i go skiing and im turning the wheels to back out of my parking spot.

I'm not tooo worried about it, this car makes a lot of funny rattles and noises and it doesnt happen all that often to annoy me.

screwfoot · 01-23-2008, 02:21 AM

yes I also have the same or similar noise I belive is coming from the steering area and is translated up through the steering column and noise (rattling vibration) is heard behind the instrument cluster

LSE · 01-30-2008, 04:30 PM

well, I had the dealer look at it. they offered to replace the swaybar links...but I don't think that's the problem. I am not sure I'll go for it since it would cost me a half day of work. It is too damn cold out there for me to put the car on ramps and look for those power steering lines and try to rattle them but as soon as it is warmer I'm so getting under it.

11-14-2007, 07:03 AM	#1
vashim66 Amateur STI Driver Car: Aspen White 06 STI Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 29 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Steering - Knocking and rattle while turning over bumps 06 STI. Here's what happens: There is a very loud knock/rattle whenever I turn and go over bumps. I can make it happen when i take a 90 degree turn from a stop onto a very bumpy road or if I'm making a a hard turn on an uneven unpaved surface. The knock is clearly coming from the front end of the car. Dealer has replaced swaybar endlinks and bushings, but didn't do anything. Car is 100% stock. Any ideas? Im going back to the dealer in a few days to try and fix it again. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

11-16-2007, 10:59 AM	#2
dreamvang Junior STI Driver Car: PSM 05 WRX STi Fav Mod: Coming Soon : Access Port, Cobb TBE, and everything like the rest. Posts: 120 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Steering - Knocking and rattle while turning over bumps I'm not sure, but if I remembered right, the manual states its normal due to the DCCD center differential doing its job, which results in a clinking or clumping noise.

11-16-2007, 12:44 PM	#3
fromSVXtoSTi Junior STI Driver Car: '06 WRB STi and '92 Fav Mod: RB320 + rear sway Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 169 Join Date: Aug 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Steering - Knocking and rattle while turning over bumps I've got the same thing on my '06. The easiest way for me to duplicate it is to stop on snow and just turn the steering wheel lock to lock. I get the chatter then with a loud rattle. Unfortunately, I can't do that test very easily at the dealership It is annoying, though. If the '04's don't have it, I have a feeling it could be from the re-designed rack mounts. The DS mount is about as close as you can get to a solid mount, and that means vibrations are easily transmitted.

11-19-2007, 06:05 AM	#4
vashim66 Amateur STI Driver Car: Aspen White 06 STI Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 29 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Steering - Knocking and rattle while turning over bumps OK. Problem is fixed.... the bolt on my power steering fluid lines were way loose causing them to knock against the frame. I also get the chatter while just turning the wheel on snow...which is a different problem all together (i think). Will find out soon, just had our first flurries in boston this morning!

11-26-2007, 07:39 AM	#5
V8Huntr Spec C Club Car: 04' WRB STi Fav Mod: TBE Location: Allentown, PA Posts: 1,643 Join Date: Sep 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Steering - Knocking and rattle while turning over bumps Don't worry the 04s have it too. We have the crappy steering rack bushings that wear out really fast. I just replaced them with Whiteline rack bushings and all of my front end clunking went away!!

12-30-2007, 06:03 AM	#10
fourseasonsandles Silver Member Car: 06 CGM Wingless Fav Mod: The Newest One! Location: Ra cha cha NY Posts: 3,337 Join Date: Sep 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Steering - Knocking and rattle while turning over bumps Mine turned out to be a lose swaybar mount. I checked the end links and even pulled them out to grease them up. Didnt work. Then while still under the car I kept pushing on the sway bar and got the same clunk and creaking sound. Narrowed it down to the sway bar mount that had 1 lose bolt on it. Tightened it up and problem solved. As far as the bolt that the OP is talking about I think I can describe it. Get under the car near the passenger side. Back year where the sway bar is and axles. I couldnt find an exact picture, but here is an idea.. To the lower left of this bracket and above the subframe (note this picture, top of pic=front of car etc). Above it it you will find your power steering lines. There 2 lanes running together vertically and are held together by a single clamp and a bolt. My lines would move up and down if I jiggled them. I pulled this clamp off, bent it to get more grip and then bolted it back on. Lines no longer move. Though this wasnt the problem in the first place and is only a guess of what OP was talking about. Ill keep looking for pics and update this if I find one. Last edited by fourseasonsandles : 12-30-2007 at 06:19 AM.

12-30-2007, 01:50 PM	#13
vashim66 Amateur STI Driver Car: Aspen White 06 STI Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 29 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Steering - Knocking and rattle while turning over bumps I have no idea why it happens. It only happens in packed powder, not hardened or slushy snow. Very weird. It usually only happens when i go skiing and im turning the wheels to back out of my parking spot. I'm not tooo worried about it, this car makes a lot of funny rattles and noises and it doesnt happen all that often to annoy me.

01-23-2008, 02:21 AM	#14
screwfoot Amateur STI Driver Car: 07 pearl white sti Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 13 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Steering - Knocking and rattle while turning over bumps yes I also have the same or similar noise I belive is coming from the steering area and is translated up through the steering column and noise (rattling vibration) is heard behind the instrument cluster Last edited by screwfoot : 01-27-2008 at 09:24 AM.

01-30-2008, 04:30 PM	#15
LSE Professional STI Racer Car: 06 STI WRB Fav Mod: Defi Gauges Location: Bethlehem PA Posts: 849 Join Date: Dec 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Steering - Knocking and rattle while turning over bumps well, I had the dealer look at it. they offered to replace the swaybar links...but I don't think that's the problem. I am not sure I'll go for it since it would cost me a half day of work. It is too damn cold out there for me to put the car on ramps and look for those power steering lines and try to rattle them but as soon as it is warmer I'm so getting under it. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.