2010 sport. 218,000 miles.The noise occurs in the center of the car by my feet and when rolling less than 20mph and is easily replicated while stationary. Itll clunck/snap when you turn the wheel a few degrees left and makes the same noise while turning a few degrees right again. Its a one time clunk during left and right turns near center and resembles a loose rack that shifts back and forth. Upon looking under the car I found tie rods are hand solid and the steering rack cant be wobbled by hand either. The clunk was gone when the wheels were in the air. Smooth as can be. The car gets load back on the tires and it cluncks again. Could this be normal operation of the rack or maybe internal tolerance that is wearing down? The car handles good and I cant hear any noise or feeling any clunking while doing slaloms at 20 or above. Any advice would be appreicated

 

Forgive me if this sounds like telling a computer expert Hey, are you sure it's plugged in? (which happens to all of us). But- check that the lug nuts are all tight. A long time ago my car had the symptoms of a CV joint problem. Brought it to a mechanic and the first thing he did was check the lug nuts and they were loose (I wasn't the last one to rotate the tires, so I was only partially at fault, and also really lucky).

 

I think it was me noticing a normal function and thinking it was new. My girlfriends 2015 Hyundai Elantra with 100,000 miles does the same exact thing so it makes me think nothing is wrong. And i agree, usually something very simple such as lugs nuts being loose can seem like a huge problem. Thanks

 

Sounds like a worn out sway bar end link. The car should not clunk, there’s something worn out on your car and your partner’s Hyundai.

 

If you can't find a blown bushing or any play in the individual wheels while lifted and shaking manually, there's still something wrong. Could be alignment, could be strut mounts (those things resonate when they slip. super hard to pinpoint), could be end links or tie rod inners, wheel bearings, cv shaft nuttery. Whatever it is, it shouldn't clunk. I bet my hat. and it's a very good hat.

 

I would like if other members would do this action and see if the noise is replicated. It was 25 degrees F so that may have lead to tight parts. I'll try and post a video so there is more understanding. here is a link to a video of a hyundai. Not sure if my problem is his problem but its a way more subtle/quiet noise then the issue in the video and mine stays the same with the car off. My sound is similar to when his car is off but slightly more clunky. Its pretty quiet compared to this video though. That clunk is loud as heck.

 

That vid is freakin awesome. but if yours isnt affected by the power steering system being energized, why do yuh feel it's power steering related? Besides, that junk's expensive. I'd check everything else twice before going with that diagnosis, even if it was likely.