Thread: Clicking Ticking Knocking noise when turning wheel L & R - Steering Box?

The most common reason is that one of the UJs in the steering column has failed. it may seem OK with a simple on vehicle check , but take it off and check the UJs for looseness or tightness.
Regards PhilipA

Caused by doing too much "circle work"?

Originally Posted by PhilipA

The most common reason is that one of the UJs in the steering column has failed. it may seem OK with a simple on vehicle check , but take it off and check the UJs for looseness or tightness.
Regards PhilipA

Thank you. I did my front uni joints 3 years ago now (time flies). Assuming they are ok is probably not good enough. I will look into these.

can you hear the noise from inside the car(eg. while driving or whatever) or from the outside(eg. more so from underneath at the front, or from above)?

Will make a big difference.

I've been doing some detail work on my D1 recently.
One major annoyance was a knock sound and coming through the steering column. The upper uni joint on the intermediate shaft had the smallest, like 0.1mm, of play in a certain position, otherwise felt good. stg box uni joint felt good. in moving the intermediate shaft up/down/sideways, I can hear the knock too. seemed to be from the firewall!

Anyhow, changed the intermediate shaft, no difference.

I'm trying to do some prep stuff on the car, as I plan to sell it soon. One thing I've had on the car since I bought it is a 'sports steering wheel'. Started the work to remove it and replace the original wheel back, and wouldn't you know .... the damn steering wheel nut was loose!. Tightened it up went for a quick spin, knock sound now gone ... of course.

Originally Posted by Muncheeese

Thank you. I did my front uni joints 3 years ago now (time flies). Assuming they are ok is probably not good enough. I will look into these.

My apologies - I immediately thought UJ on the front propshaft (which I replaced)
I have not done the UJ on the steering column. It looked ok during the on vehicle inspection (like you say)... however, quite possibly a culprit.

Thank you. That is a semi simple one that I will investigate.

Originally Posted by AK83

can you hear the noise from inside the car(eg. while driving or whatever) or from the outside(eg. more so from underneath at the front, or from above)?

Will make a big difference.

I've been doing some detail work on my D1 recently.
One major annoyance was a knock sound and coming through the steering column. The upper uni joint on the intermediate shaft had the smallest, like 0.1mm, of play in a certain position, otherwise felt good. stg box uni joint felt good. in moving the intermediate shaft up/down/sideways, I can hear the knock too. seemed to be from the firewall!

Anyhow, changed the intermediate shaft, no difference.

I'm trying to do some prep stuff on the car, as I plan to sell it soon. One thing I've had on the car since I bought it is a 'sports steering wheel'. Started the work to remove it and replace the original wheel back, and wouldn't you know .... the damn steering wheel nut was loose!. Tightened it up went for a quick spin, knock sound now gone ... of course.

I can definitely hear the noise in the car, with it on, or off.
I will definitely remove the column and inspect the UJs, both upper and lower... even though they seem ok in situ.
Interesting to hear about the steering wheel. I have the standard wheel, but have had it off (painfully) a couple times. Maybe its worth taking it off again and ensuring it is reseated and tightened properly.

Originally Posted by Muncheeese

.....
Interesting to hear about the steering wheel. I have the standard wheel, but have had it off (painfully) a couple times. Maybe its worth taking it off again and ensuring it is reseated and tightened properly.

Yeah, check the steering wheel for sure. Even tho the nut was loose on mine, the wheel was still very tight on the splines.

My method for pull stg wheels off is to bang on the rim like a crazy thrash metal drummer(with fists, not drum sticks!! ).
What this does is to help loosen the grip of the splines. bang it for about 10sec at a time, check if its loosening, bang again, check again.

Don't try to just heave it outwards.

if you do take the wheel off, also check the indicator cancelling mechanism for clicking. Sometimes they can make a click noise(I've had a few). A light dab of grease on the cam that pushes the cancel mechanism ca work a treat.


I have a Peugeot 307, and it made diabolical clicking noises on turning. Brother was driving it for a bit, and he changed out the sometimes touchy headlight switch(would randomly turn itself off). Turned out wasn't the problem, but when he put it all together again, it started this maddening clicking-clucking noise. I'm too lazy to do the hard stuff first and pull it all apart, so sprayed with lithium grease .. was the only lube I had with a straw ... helped for a bit, but came back. gave it another spray ... so far it's been ok.

But this noise was a 100% for sure plasticky clicky/clacky sound. Couldn't mistake it for a metallic click sound.

Well, I just replaced the entire steering column with new UJs and still have the clicking noise.
Its definitely a metallic clicking noise, and still appears to be coming from the steering box.
Its quite loud, and very sharp.


Other than these boxes leaking, what are symptoms of failure? Are they in anyway serviceable, or easily inspectable?