Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online! Visit IgorSushko.com and see what it's like racing in Japan
-
Google  
Web AF
See Latest Posts
Access AF from your phone - point your mobile browser to http://m.automotiveforums.com
Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Pontiac > Grand Prix
Reply Show Printable Version Show Printable Version | Email this Page Email this Page | Subscription Subscribe to this Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 05-13-2007, 05:54 PM   #1
mazeman11
AF Newbie
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Plainsboro
Posts: 5
mazeman11 Normal reputation
Clicking or scratching sound when turning

Most of the time, this happens when the car has just been started and is cold.

As I pull out of a parking spot after moving about 6 feet and turn my steering wheel, I hear a clicking sound like two steel rods are rubbing against each other. The clicking sound happens once and is not continues. The sound appears to be coming from under the hood.

Sometimes if I park my car straight on the street and start going foward, I can hear that sound. But most of the time it happens when I'm turning the steering wheel as I'm taking off.

The car is 97 Grand Prix GT with 85,000.

Any ideas what could be causing this?
mazeman11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2007, 07:59 AM   #2
BNaylor
AF Moderator
 
BNaylor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 16,198
BNaylor +50
Re: Clicking or scratching sound when turning

Best thing to do is try to pinpoint the source of the noise better. Also, does it make any difference whether the steering is taken right or left?

Just as a guess possibilities: power steering pump, rack and pinion, inner/outer CV joints (axle shaft).
__________________

'08 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP - LS4 5.3L V8
'02 Oldsmobile Alero GL2 - LA1 3400 V6
'01 Buick Regal GS - L67 Series II 3800 V6 Supercharged
'99 Buick Regal LS - L36 Series II 3800 V6
'03 Honda CR250R MX - 2 Stroke 250cc
'97 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP - L67 Series II 3800 V6 Supercharged
Timeslip 08/12/06

AF Community Guidelines
BNaylor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2007, 09:31 AM   #3
mazeman11
AF Newbie
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Plainsboro
Posts: 5
mazeman11 Normal reputation
Re: Clicking or scratching sound when turning

It does not matter if I turn left or right. It does happen more often when the car is cold so that might have something to do with it. There seems to be friction somewhere.
mazeman11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2007, 07:12 PM   #4
mazeman11
AF Newbie
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Plainsboro
Posts: 5
mazeman11 Normal reputation
Re: Clicking or scratching sound when turning

A friend said he used to hear the exact same sound in his 96 cadilac and in his case it was the start motor hitting something when he turned.

It might be the case in mine as well since the sound happens when the car has just been started.
mazeman11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2007, 10:16 PM   #5
BNaylor
AF Moderator
 
BNaylor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 16,198
BNaylor +50
Re: Clicking or scratching sound when turning

If it is a knocking or even whirring type sound it is possible. It could be a bad starter bendix. The starter pinion would hit the flywheel because it is not retracting completely. I can't find the oldest post where I worked with a member on a similar problem but here is a thread that mentioned a similar problem. See post #2.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...ocking+starter
__________________

'08 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP - LS4 5.3L V8
'02 Oldsmobile Alero GL2 - LA1 3400 V6
'01 Buick Regal GS - L67 Series II 3800 V6 Supercharged
'99 Buick Regal LS - L36 Series II 3800 V6
'03 Honda CR250R MX - 2 Stroke 250cc
'97 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP - L67 Series II 3800 V6 Supercharged
Timeslip 08/12/06

AF Community Guidelines
BNaylor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2007, 10:26 PM   #6
mazeman11
AF Newbie
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Plainsboro
Posts: 5
mazeman11 Normal reputation
Re: Clicking or scratching sound when turning

Quote:
Originally Posted by bnaylor
If it is a knocking or even whirring type sound it is possible. It could be a bad starter bendix. The starter pinion would hit the flywheel because it is not retracting completely. I can't find the oldest post where I worked with a member on a similar problem but here is a thread that mentioned a similar problem. See post #2.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...ocking+starter
I think you are right. That's what my friend said. It must be something with the starter. Any idea how difficult is it to fix and how long would it take me or a mechanic to fix?
mazeman11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2007, 10:38 PM   #7
BNaylor
AF Moderator
 
BNaylor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 16,198
BNaylor +50
Re: Clicking or scratching sound when turning

Quote:
Originally Posted by mazeman11
I think you are right. That's what my friend said. It must be something with the starter. Any idea how difficult is it to fix and how long would it take me or a mechanic to fix?
Replacing the starter is not bad but the car must be jacked up and a plastic splash guard removed to access it. 2-3 bolts hold it to the engine. At the starter the B+ (battery supply 12 volts) and solenoid cable connections must be disconnected. Some starters have shims but not all so just check for any shims and make sure shims are installed with the replacement starter. Also, make sure battery negative and positive cables are removed before working on a starter for safety purposes. About a 1 hour job. Good luck.
__________________

'08 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP - LS4 5.3L V8
'02 Oldsmobile Alero GL2 - LA1 3400 V6
'01 Buick Regal GS - L67 Series II 3800 V6 Supercharged
'99 Buick Regal LS - L36 Series II 3800 V6
'03 Honda CR250R MX - 2 Stroke 250cc
'97 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP - L67 Series II 3800 V6 Supercharged
Timeslip 08/12/06

AF Community Guidelines
BNaylor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2007, 04:31 PM   #8
je2345
AF Newbie
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: holland, Michigan
Posts: 13
je2345 Normal reputation
Re: Clicking or scratching sound when turning

hello, this is my first time posting as i'am just goin through reading problems right now that are similar to mine.

My 99' GP GT did the same thing but only when i turned right and when it was accelerating. It ended up being the starter! So yea, get your starter replaced!
je2345 is offline   Reply With Quote
 
 
 
 
Reply

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD


Bookmarks
Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Pontiac > Grand Prix

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:01 PM.

Google  
Web AF
Community Participation Guidelines | How to use your User Control Panel

Powered by: vBulletin | Copyright Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
no new posts