Loud knock when turning left

[Nofear20]

When I turn left I can hear a loud knock coming from the front of the car. I can also feel the knock through the firewall. What could this be?

 

[talontedtsi1995]

could be a cv joint going bad.

 

[Daaan]

99% of the time. that noise when turning is a wheel bearing.

 

[Nofear20]

It kind of sounds like its also doing it when i turn right as well. But not nearly as loud. Still be a wheel bearing?

 

[1992awdlaser]

Does it clunk once and that is it or does it do it the whole time the car is turning?

 

[Twistaye]

I'd check and make sure your lugnuts are tight CV boot is more of a "clicking" than a "clunking." Could be a wheel bearing, but I'd check the lugnuts first since it's obviously the easiest one to check

 

[FLASH1970]

Jack car up so the wheel is off the ground. Turn the wheel so the Tie rod end is exposed (while sitting in the car, turn the wheel clockwise for left front tire, counter clockwise for front right tire). Grab each side of the tire and shake it. If there's play, look at your tie rod while you're shaking it. If it moves, bad tie rod end. If that stays put but there's play, wheel bearing. Grab the top and bottom of the tire and shake. If there's play, it's a ball joint so look to see whether it's the top or bottom ball joint for the 2G cars.

 

[Maranello993]

If it's the ball joint I'll tell you this now, unless you have a drill press you're going to have to buy a whole new control arm. I'm doing this job now.... Also there is a recall on lower control arm ball joints on 2g's.

 

[Nofear20]

Does it clunk once and that is it or does it do it the whole time the car is turning?

I believe it only does it once

 

[Nofear20]

I will check the lugnuts first thing. I hope its nothing major. I will probably just pay someone to fix it

 

[1992awdlaser]

I believe it only does it once

That would lead me to believe it is a tierod (inner or outer) or a ball joint. jack up one of the front wheels off the ground. Make sure the ignition is on so you don't feel the lock in the column. Grab the sides of the tire and shake it side to side. If the inner or outer tierod is loose on that side you will feel the banging. Make a fist and hit the sidewall of the tire that is at the top. Not with your knuckles, with the side of your fist. If you hear a bang that means the wheel bearing is bad or the out tierod is really bad on that side. Next grab the top and bottom of the tire. Push in at the top and pull out at the bottom. Then do the opposite. Do this repeated times. If there is play it can be the wheel bearing or a balljoint on that side.It is a lot easier if you have somebody else grab the part you are checking while you shake the tire. They will feel the play or they will feel nothing. Repeat on other front wheel.

 

[MilwaukeeGSX]

If it were a gsx I would check carrier bearing aswell. But being a GST I would bet a cv/axle taking a dump. If you want to know if its a wheel bearing jack the car up on the side causing issues. Then move the wheel with your hands back and forth. If theres play then its a wheel bearing.

while its jacked up go underneath and look for any tears in ANY of the boots. If there is pack it with grease and see if it goes away... replace it immediately

 

[Splitpi]

My guess is ball joints .

 

[ewoevo]

Well I have something similar going on with my car. It sometimes makes a popping noise when turning (possibly cv joint). It also will make a clunking noise while turning as well as a squeaking noise when I hit bumps. I'm not sure what the clunking noise is. I'll have to check it out this weekend.

 

[vanilla gorilla]

To the OP, my guess is a busted axle boot. Check for any grease behind the wheels.