Front end clunking?

**mtbscott** · #1 (**permalink**) 02-05-2007, 06:24 PM

I sometimes notice a weird "clunking" sensation you can feel through the wheel more than hear when turning the front wheels a lot at low speed, ie backing out of the driveway. It's most noticeable when cold and almost sounds like something in the suspension is rubbing or under a bind. I have noticed it before on other cars so think it is more something about the tires or cold suspension than a Cayman specific problem. It seems to happen less when the car has been driven and warmed up all over. What could this be?

987f · #2 (**permalink**) 02-05-2007, 06:32 PM

I have had the same thing on my '01 Boxster, sporadically. I had the car put on a lift and the mechanic could not find anything wrong. It's definitely connected to the steering wheel, though, and initially I thought it might be a bad ball joint. 987f

**Santa Fe** · #3 (**permalink**) 02-05-2007, 06:35 PM

Like this? Strange noise while backing

**beez** · #4 (**permalink**) 02-05-2007, 06:38 PM

If you have the steering wheel close to, or all the way to the steering lock, you're probably hearing and feeling the power steering pump pushing against the lock. Believe it or not, this is normal.

brad

Here's another thread on this:
Strange noise while backing

**beez** · #5 (**permalink**) 02-05-2007, 06:39 PM

SF - Vulcan mind meld...

brad

Daniel L · #6 (**permalink**) 02-05-2007, 06:43 PM

I was always wondering about this. I'm glad to know it's normal.

**mtbscott** · #7 (**permalink**) 02-05-2007, 07:16 PM

Thanks guys, I didn't find that in my search. The fact that it is common to all of my cars now makes sense too. And it does seem to lessen when things are up to operating temp.

**JackWood** · #8 (**permalink**) 02-09-2007, 09:01 PM

There are several different potential sounds and issues:

1) jumping feeling when on full lock. This is basicaly just the tread block on the steeply inclined tyres "skipping" as you turn. This is normal and is more a function of the tyre tread blocks flexing under load, then "flicking" out.

2) A suspension "knock". This sound is a mechanical clunk from a suspension component normaly displayed in a low-speed manouever with mid to heavy lock whilst traversing a sharp ridge/dip. Again this seems to be very normal (my car does this) dut I have yet to ever hear a full and satisfactory reason and cause of it.

Jack