Steering Knock...Cannot Figure it out

[gallipd001]

Hey All - looking for some opinions and expertise.

Whenever I have to crank the wheel quite a bit (get out of parking spot, turn out of driveways, make left turns, etc...) I hear these knocks. Long story short, my mechanic told me it was because of the strut mounts. (Struts were replaced about 2000km - prior to hearing the knock). We replaced the strut mounts with genuine Mazda parts and it sounded better for a day and sure enough the knock came back. The noise is difficult to explain, but definitely comes from the strut towers. It's difficult to hear the noise outside of the car but in the cabin it is pretty loud and clear.

I am planning to bring the car back to the shop on Tuesday but before I do that I wanted to know if anyone can chime in here with an idea or similar experience.

[Flagrum_3]

Hey All - looking for some opinions and expertise.

Whenever I have to crank the wheel quite a bit (get out of parking spot, turn out of driveways, make left turns, etc...) I hear these knocks. Long story short, my mechanic told me it was because of the strut mounts. (Struts were replaced about 2000km - prior to hearing the knock). We replaced the strut mounts with genuine Mazda parts and it sounded better for a day and sure enough the knock came back. The noise is difficult to explain, but definitely comes from the strut towers. It's difficult to hear the noise outside of the car but in the cabin it is pretty loud and clear.

I am planning to bring the car back to the shop on Tuesday but before I do that I wanted to know if anyone can chime in here with an idea or similar experience.

Q; Are the knocks heavy/loud or light/quiet? ...I'm thinking CV joints, possibly.


_3

[gallipd001]

The knocks are light/quiet. Sounds much louder when the car is very cold (i.e. first thing in the morning, or parked for quite some time).

[Flagrum_3]

The knocks are light/quiet. Sounds much louder when the car is very cold (i.e. first thing in the morning, or parked for quite some time).

Well I wouldn't count out the CV joints then. Let us know after you get it checked out.

Note; Usually struts will cause a single maybe two clunks whilst turning the wheel. CV-joints will give you a series of light clunks/clicks in a row as your turning the steering wheel.


_3

[Mitchell3]

+1 to Flagrum

I had my entire axle replaced last summer under warranty to this. Sounds very similar.

[goodcase]

Does it happen when you're reversing out of your driveway. Mine does the same (Gen2 hatch) and I've done some research. The only thing I have seen that is different than the strut mounts is the sub-frame bushings.

http://mazda3revolution.com/forums/2010-13-mazdaspeed-3-suspension-handling/5865-metal-metal-noise-lower-left-front.html