'00 making knocking noise when turning

[REBECCAMCG]

I havent had my 2000 taurus too long....
Last week a knocking noise started. It usually happens when I am turning but there have been a few times it does it when i am braking. It doesnt happen right away - just after I've been driving for at least 15 minutes or so....
I got this looked at last weekend at by a mechanic and they drove it and didnt hear a thing and supposedly things underneath looked okay. I can tell that things ARE NOT OKAY. Also, since this knocking started, my alignment seems to have gotten off a bit.
I may be a blonde but I've had enough problems with past cars that I usually know what I'm talking about!!!!
Any ideas???
Thanks!

[shorod]

Originally Posted by REBECCAMCG

I havent had my 2000 taurus too long....
Last week a knocking noise started. It usually happens when I am turning but there have been a few times it does it when i am braking. It doesnt happen right away - just after I've been driving for at least 15 minutes or so....
I got this looked at last weekend at by a mechanic and they drove it and didnt hear a thing and supposedly things underneath looked okay. I can tell that things ARE NOT OKAY. Also, since this knocking started, my alignment seems to have gotten off a bit.
I may be a blonde but I've had enough problems with past cars that I usually know what I'm talking about!!!!
Any ideas???
Thanks!

Does the knock just occur once, or is it a rhythmic knocking while turning/braking? If it's a single knock each event, then it could be ball joints or upper strut plates. I suppose it could possibly be the CV joints, but those would be more often to show up on acceleration (if inner joints) or turns (outer). If CV joints, I would expect a rhythmic noise and only on acceleration or turns, unless you have multiple bad joints that just happened to start making noise at the same time.

If the ball joints are loose enough to make noice, I would expect the technicians to find this.

You don't hear any knocking when hitting bumps in the road? I would expect ball joints, strut bearings/plates, subframe mounts, or anti-sway bar bushings to also make noise on bumps, and probably make more noise on bumps.

Why do you say you think your alignment is off a bit? Does the car pull while driving, pull while braking, bump steer, etc.?

-Rod

[REBECCAMCG]

This knocking is more than one time. It's a constant knocking as i turn the wheel. And the only other time i've heard it is when i've braked - this is only happened a few times this way though.....
I dont notice it when i'm going over bumps. I know it's not the struts/shocks - i've dealt with crap cars in the past with these problems and this is something way different - nothing i've experienced in the past.

I read online today about a knocking sound that comes from getting a lower grade of gas. I'm guessing this noise is worse than what i would be hearing from that problem correct???

thanks for the help!

[bobdilts]

I had a knoeking noise that would occur when the weight of the car shifted like braking or turning. I did not hear it over bumps and I could feel it in the floorpan under my feet. It would only occur when the outside temperature was above 80 degrees. It turned out to be the subframe mont on the drivers side. fixed for 30.00

[shorod]

Originally Posted by REBECCAMCG

This knocking is more than one time. It's a constant knocking as i turn the wheel. And the only other time i've heard it is when i've braked - this is only happened a few times this way though.....
I dont notice it when i'm going over bumps. I know it's not the struts/shocks - i've dealt with crap cars in the past with these problems and this is something way different - nothing i've experienced in the past.

I read online today about a knocking sound that comes from getting a lower grade of gas. I'm guessing this noise is worse than what i would be hearing from that problem correct???

thanks for the help!

The knocking you read about is also commonly referred to as pinging, or pre-detonation. It will sound similar to someone tapping on the engine with a large screwdriver. It occurs when the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder ignites prior to the piston reaching TDC. If you have the radio on, you may never even hear pinging. Most times, pinging will occur under load, not under braking or turning (unless you are accelerating during braking or turning). With a modern car and properly working knock sensors, etc, pinging shouldn't be a problem unless you got a really bad tank of fuel.

Have you checked all your lug nuts to make sure they are properly torqued? While you're at it, pull the front wheels and make sure you don't have a brake spring/anti-rattle clip that is broken or rubbing somewhere that it shouldn't be. You could have a missing clip or spring that is allowing a brake pad to rattle around on turns and under light braking.

-Rod

[REBECCAMCG]

Originally Posted by bobdilts

I had a knoeking noise that would occur when the weight of the car shifted like braking or turning. I did not hear it over bumps and I could feel it in the floorpan under my feet. It would only occur when the outside temperature was above 80 degrees. It turned out to be the subframe mont on the drivers side. fixed for 30.00

It has been so hot and very humid here where I live (western IA) so I am wondering if you are on to something. I can feel this knocking under my feet also. It seems to be getting more and more often that i am hearing this.
Did this affect your alignment at all? my car is starting to pull to the right but maybe this is something not involving that.
I've never had good luck with cars - it's always something going wrong!
thanks for your help!

[Willyum]

"Kocking" in automotive terms is usually associatied with engine bearings being loose or "spark Knock" or "pinging". If you have a thump or other type noise is easier to differenciate. The better you describe the easier it is for people to help.

[Galt1224]

I have a 2014 Ford Taurus. It is doing the same thing. When I slow down to make a right turn there is a constant loud knocking sound until I am through the turn. Weird, but it seems to be more prevalent when I have a passenger riding with me. Extra weight makes a difference?? I have brought it to 3 different dealerships with no luck in resolving the problem.

[shorod]

Welcome to the forum!

Does the noise change in amplitude or frequency as the vehicle speed changes? Is the noise only present while the brakes are applied? Does it seem to matter how sharp of a turn you are making?

-Rod

[Galt1224]

Originally Posted by shorod

Welcome to the forum!

Does the noise change in amplitude or frequency as the vehicle speed changes? Is the noise only present while the brakes are applied? Does it seem to matter how sharp of a turn you are making?

-Rod

No the noise does not change. I have only noticed it when I break making a right turn or backing up slowly turning the wheel to the left. I would say a sharp turn only. It sounds like metal stretching / creaking with a knocking sound.

[shorod]

Well, if it doesn't seem to be vehicle speed related, I wonder if it's a loose/dirty belt and/or low power steering fluid level.

-Rod

[Galt1224]

Originally Posted by shorod

Well, if it doesn't seem to be vehicle speed related, I wonder if it's a loose/dirty belt and/or low power steering fluid level.

-Rod

I am bringing it to the dealership one more time tomorrow. Hopefully they will be able to replicate the noise and find the issue. I appreciate your input.