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Steering wheel shaft clicking noise, is this normal?
I've had my 993 for about a month now and loving every minute of it.
Just recently, I started to notice a slight clicking noise coming from the steering wheel column. I hear it when I move the steering wheel slightly left and right, it clicks both left and right. I thought perhaps the steering wheel nut was coming loose so I took the airbag off and everything seems tight. Looking into it further, the sound is coming from the steering wheel shaft as it moves left and right. Is this a common issue? Is there a fix for this?
Doesn't sound common. It might be coming from the mechanism that cancels the turn signals. If you continue to turn the wheel does it click at regular intervals or does it only click once?
It only clicks once. When I had the airbag and steering wheel off, I grabbed the steering shaft with some pliers and was able to reproduce the same noise by twisting the shaft left and right. Looking at a part schematic, it looks like the steering shaft goes into a U joint or some kind of coupling. My feeling is there is play in this coupling or perhaps lubricating it will quiet the noise. Is there a way to lubricate this area?
you are most welcome. My car was built end of june 1997 and came with the updated column. yet in 2003, started clicking. Mind you the clicking has zero effect on the steering precision. there is no play, rest assured. regards
I know this is an old thread and am not sure if a fix has been posted but I think I may have found a fix, hopefully permanently. I said "hopefully" because mine didn't have this click until about 1 year ago when I turned the steering wheel without the power (putting a lot of pulling force on it). After that, the noise started and it's worst in cold weather.
Anyway, remove the bracket that holds the steering column to the frame under the dash. Pull down the whole assembly just about a quarter of an inch and at the same time, turn the steering wheel slightly side to side, you'll notice the noise is gone. So I added some washers, about 3/16 in thick total, under the bracket's holes on each side and put the bolts back. I used what I had available at home so 2 standard washers with about 1/4 in ID or just enough to fit the bolts. OD should be small enough to fit under the bracket. I didn't have enough washers so I also used a a piece of heavy duty bike tube (about 1/8 in). So 2 washers and a piece of rubber on each side. Took the car to work today and it's quiet and no effects on the steering. I might get better spacers and longer bolts for bracket just to be safe. I am thinking hard plastic spacer are probably better for noise but not sure if it's a good idea.
Please advise if this fix isn't a good idea since the angle of the column is now a little larger.
Under the dash, just above the brake pedal. The washers go between the bracket and the body. From the pic, it looks like I only did one side but both side have washers.
I didn't think the problem was fixable so my initial plan was to hopefully to reduce the noise somewhat by preventing it from transmitting metal to metal. I ended up using them because I didn't have enough washer at home. I am sure if you just use the washer (at least 4 each side, or spacer with 3/16 in thick) it'll work too. Let me know how it turns out.
09-20-2011, 01:14 AM
Steering wheel shaft clicking noise, is this normal?
