Reasons for a Clicking Sound When Turning the Steering Wheel During Car Start-up
3 Answers
When starting and turning, a "clicking" noise is likely due to a faulty shock absorber pressure bearing, which can be resolved by replacement. Causes related to front and rear wheel bearing failures: Bearings, as the core components that support the vehicle's weight and provide rotational capability to the tires, operate in extremely harsh conditions. They must endure not only the pressure and vibrations during driving but also the invasion of rainwater, sand, and stones. In such demanding environments, even the highest-quality tire bearings cannot guarantee long-term durability. The abnormal noise is also related to routine maintenance: Routine maintenance refers to daily upkeep tasks performed before, during, and after driving, primarily involving cleaning, replenishment, and safety inspections. These tasks are essential for maintaining the vehicle's normal working condition and are the responsibility of the driver. Primary maintenance, conducted by professional repair shops, includes cleaning, lubrication, and tightening, along with inspections of critical safety components such as brakes and steering systems.
As someone who loves tinkering with cars, when I hear a clunking sound while turning the steering wheel during startup, it's most likely an issue with the steering system. Common culprits include worn-out steering ball joints or lack of lubrication—these small components connect the wheels to the control arms, and once they fail, they produce clunking noises when turning. It could also be due to aging steering column bearings or cracked bushings in the lower control arms. The noise occurs during startup because the wheels are just beginning to move, putting extra torque on the system and causing worn parts to creak under pressure. This problem shouldn’t be ignored—I’ve seen owners neglect it, only for the steering to become increasingly unresponsive, making high-speed turns prone to loss of control. If a part completely fails, the steering could lock up, which is extremely dangerous. You can try parking and turning the steering wheel fully left and right to listen for which wheel makes the noise as a preliminary check. But it’s best to take it to a professional repair shop for a proper diagnosis. A minor fix, like replacing a few parts, might only cost a few hundred bucks—much better than waiting until a major repair is needed.
Last time my car made a clunking noise when starting and turning, which was really annoying. I took it to the repair shop, and the mechanic said it was due to wear on the steering tie rod ball joint. This part acts like a pivot for turning, and when it ages, it doesn't move smoothly during steering, causing the noise. The reason might be not slowing down when driving over rough roads, which caused the rubber parts to wear out prematurely. After replacing the part, the noise disappeared immediately, and it only cost 350 yuan, which was quite a good deal. So, don't panic if you hear this kind of noise—it's likely a minor issue with the chassis, but it should be addressed promptly. Otherwise, the wear will worsen, steering response will slow down, and you might feel the steering becoming loose when taking high-speed curves. I recommend driving on smooth roads as much as possible in daily driving and having the mechanic check the steering components regularly during maintenance to extend their service life.
