Clicking Noise From Steering

[iansanderson]

Just had the "F support" replaced on my 02/18 build Bolt. Same issue as described, and it was driving me nuts! Thankfully, this post made it easy to diagnose for the tech.

[gpsman]

I had my rack & pinion parts replaced today. Steering column would rattle when going over pot holes or washboard road. Also developed a tiny amount of “play”.

Interestingly they had to drain and refill one of the coolent reserviors in the process (it didn’t say which). Then they had to re-teach the steering control module the “soft stops”. Also looks like I got a free front-end alignment out of the process as well.

Replace: F-(S) Gear (1)
Replace: Bolts (4)
Replace: Coolent (1)

[forevermore]

We've been having a similar problem on our Bolt. knocking sound whenever we turn the steering wheel at slow speeds. Leased in October, 2017. 30k mile. Taking it in this week. Local dealer was unaware of such a symptom, but it seems that quite a few people have reported a similar issue on multiple boards.

[SeanNelson]

Some folks have discovered that clicking sounds or "bumps" that you feel while turning the steering wheel are the result of the U-joints in the steering shaft in front of the brake and accelerator pedals bumping into your carpeting or floor mats. Simple and easy to check without having to bother with a trip to the dealer, so it's worth having a look.

[forevermore]

I took to our local dealer on 8/22. Diagnosed by removing shaft and noise was not present in column. Noise traced to the inside of the steering gear. Replaced steering gear assembly and noise not present. Covered under warranty.

[theothertom]

Thanks for the follow up

[ians]

I have a clicking noise from behind the instrument cluster. It happens when I am not even in the car! Sometimes I walk to the car from a distance without the key and hear the clicking! If I get into the car (with the key) and tap the break pedal, the clicking stops. Take my foot off again and it starts again. It usually lasts about 45 seconds. In the past few days I have heard it while stopped at lights, which is new. And over the weekend, the car completely died because the 12V was completely exhausted. It took more than 3 hours of being jumpered to an ICE card to get it to the point where it would shift out of park or charge when connected to the L2 charger.

Car is going back to the dealer tomorrow, where it has spent about 10% if its life so far. Very disappointed with the reliability of this car and may sell it rather than risk more of this after the warranty expires in December.

[Paul6381]

It might be just replacing the battery will fix the clicking noise and keep your car more reliable. Batteries typically last anywhere from 2 to 8 years. If you’re in a hot climate they usually last a little shorter.

The clicking noise I had was in the steering column and only while you were turning the steering wheel. Your issue sounds very different than mine.

[KrisConnoly]

It might be just replacing the battery will fix the clicking noise and keep your car more reliable. Batteries typically last anywhere from 2 to 8 years. If you’re in a hot climate they usually last a little shorter.

The clicking noise I had was in the steering column and only while you were turning the steering wheel. Your issue sounds very different than mine.

The clicking issue for him could also be arising out of the inner rod connecting steering with the axle set up. That was the issue detected for me couple of months back.