Bad creaking/popping from front, steering rack? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

curbybrz · 08-07-2020, 09:40 AM

The popping has been happening for a while but yesterday it started to creak pretty bad now. It mainly happens at low speeds and turning. I've been doing some reading and maybe has something to do with the steering rack bolts loose?

RToyo86 · 08-07-2020, 09:52 AM

Could also be suspension related if something is binding or worn out.

Year and mileage? When is the last time it was inspected?

curbybrz · 08-07-2020, 10:06 AM

It is 2013 with 90k on it. It was inspected 2 months ago. It wasn't happening with enough frequency to get the mechanic to hear it. I can push down on the corners of the car and doesn't make the noises if that matters. Also don't notice it on bumps. I can make it happen parked and just turning the wheel from side to side.

humfrz · 08-07-2020, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curbybrz

The popping has been happening for a while but yesterday it started to creak pretty bad now. It mainly happens at low speeds and turning. I've been doing some reading and maybe has something to do with the steering rack bolts loose?

Hi ya, curbybrz and welcome to our group -

Are you sure the sound is coming from the front?

If so, you might try turning it from side to side driving it down the road to see if a front wheel bearing is going bad.

I would suggest you take your car into a shop and have them inspect the front end.

curbybrz · 08-07-2020, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humfrz

Hi ya, curbybrz and welcome to our group -

Are you sure the sound is coming from the front?

If so, you might try turning it from side to side driving it down the road to see if a front wheel bearing is going bad.

I would suggest you take your car into a shop and have them inspect the front end.

Thanks and I'm almost positive it is from the front. Sometimes I can hear a similar pop coming from the front right. The majority of the noise you are hearing in the video sounds like it is coming from the front left. I had my coworker listen to it a little while ago and he seems to think it is coming from more toward the middle of the front. I may just have to take it back in and see what the mechanic thinks now that the sound is more prominent.

humfrz · 08-07-2020, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curbybrz

Thanks and I'm almost positive it is from the front. Sometimes I can hear a similar pop coming from the front right. The majority of the noise you are hearing in the video sounds like it is coming from the front left. I had my coworker listen to it a little while ago and he seems to think it is coming from more toward the middle of the front. I may just have to take it back in and see what the mechanic thinks now that the sound is more prominent.

Yep, best have a shop look at it.

Let us know what was wrong with it.

norcalpb · 08-07-2020, 04:32 PM

Man I got the same issue going on. I’m leaning towards the rack being bad.

bcj · 08-07-2020, 04:44 PM

Could it be the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) coupler?

FRS/BRZ EPS Motor Coupler Replacement (Rattle Fix)

CTB727 · 08-16-2020, 11:05 PM

I had this issue about 2 years ago, at around 75k miles. Dealer ended up replacing the steering column. Got it covered under warranty because the noise started happening shortly after a short block replacement.

Opie · 08-17-2020, 10:59 AM

Check to make sure all the bolts securing the metal tray under the engine are tight...if loose it makes all kinds of fun noises.

norcalpb · 08-17-2020, 12:04 PM

Mine is most likely wheel bearings (both my fronts have some play) I can only hear it when at a dead stop. OPs sounds like upper strut mounts, that noise will come through the firewall at any speed.

Tokay444 · 08-17-2020, 01:33 PM

That's a ball joint.

Tokay444 · 08-17-2020, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norcalpb

Mine is most likely wheel bearings (both my fronts have some play) I can only hear it when at a dead stop. OPs sounds like upper strut mounts, that noise will come through the firewall at any speed.

It's definitely not a wheel bearing.

norcalpb · 08-17-2020, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tokay444

That's a ball joint.

Control arm or tie or tie rod?

I checked for play in the ball joints/looseness of the nuts and didn’t find anything wrong.

08-07-2020, 09:40 AM	#1
curbybrz Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Drives: 2013 BRZ Location: PA Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Bad creaking/popping from front, steering rack? The popping has been happening for a while but yesterday it started to creak pretty bad now. It mainly happens at low speeds and turning. I've been doing some reading and maybe has something to do with the steering rack bolts loose?

08-07-2020, 04:44 PM	#8
bcj Geo Tyrebighter Esq Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: '13 scion fr-s Location: pnw Posts: 4,324 Thanks: 6,780 Thanked 5,270 Times in 2,296 Posts Mentioned: 43 Post(s)	Could it be the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) coupler? FRS/BRZ EPS Motor Coupler Replacement (Rattle Fix) __________________ -- "I gotta rock." -- Charley Brown

08-17-2020, 10:59 AM	#10
Opie Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 2023 Toyota GR 86 Cup Location: Florida Posts: 2,021 Thanks: 1,661 Thanked 2,474 Times in 1,046 Posts Mentioned: 117 Post(s)	Check to make sure all the bolts securing the metal tray under the engine are tight...if loose it makes all kinds of fun noises. __________________ 2023 GR Cup Car

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08-07-2020, 09:52 AM	#2
RToyo86 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Drives: 17 Asphalt 86 Location: Ottawa Posts: 2,421 Thanks: 1,907 Thanked 2,676 Times in 1,307 Posts Mentioned: 16 Post(s)	Could also be suspension related if something is binding or worn out. Year and mileage? When is the last time it was inspected?

08-07-2020, 10:06 AM	#3
curbybrz Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Drives: 2013 BRZ Location: PA Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	It is 2013 with 90k on it. It was inspected 2 months ago. It wasn't happening with enough frequency to get the mechanic to hear it. I can push down on the corners of the car and doesn't make the noises if that matters. Also don't notice it on bumps. I can make it happen parked and just turning the wheel from side to side.

08-07-2020, 04:32 PM	#7
norcalpb Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2013 BRZ, 2023 Model 3 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 2,348 Thanks: 1,258 Thanked 906 Times in 592 Posts Mentioned: 15 Post(s)	Man I got the same issue going on. I’m leaning towards the rack being bad.

08-16-2020, 11:05 PM	#9
CTB727 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ Location: USA Posts: 237 Thanks: 65 Thanked 104 Times in 59 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s)	I had this issue about 2 years ago, at around 75k miles. Dealer ended up replacing the steering column. Got it covered under warranty because the noise started happening shortly after a short block replacement.

08-17-2020, 12:04 PM	#11
norcalpb Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2013 BRZ, 2023 Model 3 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 2,348 Thanks: 1,258 Thanked 906 Times in 592 Posts Mentioned: 15 Post(s)	Mine is most likely wheel bearings (both my fronts have some play) I can only hear it when at a dead stop. OPs sounds like upper strut mounts, that noise will come through the firewall at any speed.

08-17-2020, 01:33 PM	#12
Tokay444 Anti stance. Join Date: Feb 2016 Drives: 17 White 860. RCE Tarmac 2. RE-71RS Location: Not Canada Posts: 1,756 Thanks: 939 Thanked 1,026 Times in 582 Posts Mentioned: 10 Post(s)	That's a ball joint.

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