Steering "thump"

Beholder88 · 04-04-2009, 07:59 PM

Ok, I searched a few years back and couldn't really find anything on this topic, unless I was searching the incorrect phrase. When I'm backing out of a parking space, or turning my wheel while going slowly, there is a "thump" from the front end right before I get the wheels turned the whole way. It happens when I turn the wheel in either direction. At first I thought I was parked on a rock, but then it kept happening. I'm almost worried that it might be the rack, but it isn't leaking and everything feels tight. I checked the tie rod ends and the ball joints, and they don't show any signs of bad wear. I've got 77,000 on the odometer. Any ideas?

comanche · 04-04-2009, 10:07 PM

Possibly a bad spring/spring pad in the strut assembly? Or a broken spring? I think I know the sound you mean..

Jaymz88 · 04-04-2009, 10:23 PM

Yah the same thing happened to me a while back, and it was a broken spring and twisted mount

AbHeLlRaZoR · 04-04-2009, 10:30 PM

bad tie rod? low power steering fluid? my car was making weird noises when I was turning left back in February turned out the power steering line was leaking I replaced that and filled it back up no more noise.

clutch1 · 04-04-2009, 11:58 PM

Sounds like a siezed up upper strut bearing.. get a buddy to turn the wheel for you, and lightly touch the top of the mount through the wheel well, see if you can feel it ratcheting or doing anything other than turning smoothly

Vinalero · 04-05-2009, 01:00 AM

upper strut tower bearing. I had them both changed on my car.

Beholder88 · 04-05-2009, 07:08 PM

I'll have to check out the bearings. My springs and struts are ok, seem to be working well. The thumping seems like it some from the drivers side, no matter what way I am turning the wheel. I'll get someone to turn the wheel for me and feel the bearing. If it's going bad it shouldn't be that big of a deal to change it out.