Knocking noise from steering

**Russellg** · 2-5-04, 10:58

OK, I've just got my car back from the Mazda dealer after they have been looking for the cause of my knocking noise.

They 'think' it is the bearings that are worn (can anyone shed any light on this???)

They want to cheage £85+VAT for the part (bearing) for each wheel.
Then about £180+VAT for labour.

Now I am no mechanic (as you have probably guessed) but this seems a little steep to me. So, do you guys think this possible explaination could be my problem before I go find someone else to do the work ?

Russ

**mx6-uk** · 2-5-04, 11:44

Is it the thrust bearing on top of the strut or a wheel bearing??

**Russellg** · 2-5-04, 13:00

I'm not too sure, but it sounded like he was talking about the bearing and the strut rubbing. So I guess probably the thrust bearing.

**Einstein** · 2-5-04, 13:03

It is so easy to check for wheel bearing problems.. just jack up the wheel, and try to wobble from left to right, and up and down.. there should be no play at all.. up to a very miniscule amount is fine, but more than a mm measured at the tyre edge, means it's shot. they are not tapered, so cannot be tightened.

The wheel bearings are quite expensive to buy...

Thrust bearings are in the top part of the strut, and can be cleaned and greased slightly... they are really just large nylon washers which allow the wheels to turn left or right.

John

**mx6-uk** · 2-5-04, 14:01

So its like a slight clicking noise when you turn the whell at slow speeds?? (strut bearing noise) or clunk ??

**Russellg** · 2-5-04, 15:34

more of a clunk noise. I can hear it about every quarter turn of the wheel.

I notice it more at low speeds, but that could be because of less road noise.

**JAP MX** · 2-5-04, 16:03

I have the same problem, and was just about to post the same thing.
I hope someone can tell us what it is.

Jay

**mx6-uk** · 2-5-04, 16:57

Sounds more like the CV joint to me then.

**Einstein** · 2-5-04, 17:34

I think the mechanics would have picked up things like worn track rod ends, and loose calipers...

I think it's narrowed don to CV joints, wheel bearing or maybe drop links..

John

**Russellg** · 2-6-04, 3:27

OK, it sounds like you guys are reaching a conclusion here.
The CV boot on the OSF was off when I bought the car, and I had this replaced.

I asked the guys at the dealer to check that it wasn't the CV joint (I have no idea how long the CV boot had been missing).

They said it wasn't, but I only noticed the sound after they had replaced the CV boot. Could this be related?

Anyway, it looks like I'm gonna have to take the car to another garage to get a second opinion.

Cheers guys

**BeDlaM** · 2-6-04, 3:50

Russellg

To check your CV joint take the car into a nice big space and drive it on full lock on both right and left locks TIGHT locks, if you hear a clicking then it will prob be the cv joint.

DO as John says jack the car up grab hold of the wheels and give it a good shake any movement the bearing is shot.
If you are hearing this nosie when you drive it in a straight line and the noise shows every 1/4 turn of the wheel, then it's prob not the CV for a CV joint to make a noise like that in a straight line then it would have to be really bad, and if that was the case then the Mazda guys would have noticed it.

Andy

**Russellg** · 2-6-04, 5:46

I don't hear the noise whilst driving in a straight line, only on turning the wheel.

I will take the car somewhere and do the turning stuff and jack it up at the weekend.
Cheers

**BeDlaM** · 2-6-04, 6:15

Hard right hand and clicking, is the left cv, and left hand hard and clicking, right cv, have someone in the car with you to be sure.

Andy

**JAP MX** · 2-6-04, 9:17

It doesnt need to be hard left or right. Its while the steering is being turned either way at equal amounts. Eg. from the wheels being straight, begin steering to the left, it clicks approximately 6-7 times before it gets to full lock, as the steering wheel is being turned. On turning it back to straight, same clicking noise as the steering wheel is being turned. Same happens to the right. I do not get any knocking/knock when at full lock.
Its odd.

Jay

**BeDlaM** · 2-6-04, 10:08

Hi Jay

Nice to see you still around m8, and my previous post was for russellg.
Your prob sound diff try out what John has said

Quote:

Thrust bearings are in the top part of the strut, and can be cleaned and greased slightly... they are really just large nylon washers which allow the wheels to turn left or right.

Andy