Hey guys,

In short:
I'm getting this "click-click-click" noise that almost resembles creeking whenever I turn my steering wheel at low speeds (<5 MPH). I usually notice this when entering/exiting my driveway in first gear, but i've tested the car in reverse and in second gear at speeds below 5 MPH and I get the same result: "click-click-click". It sounds like the noise is coming from somewhere directly behind the steering wheel (somewhere in the engine bay or suspension, not inside the car). Any clues as to what is making the noise?

Details:
The faster I turn the wheel, the faster the clicks follow eachother.

Initially I thought it was a creeking noise because I usually turn the wheel quickly at speeds below 5 MPH, but after playing around with the car and turning the wheel at grandma speeds, I realized the noise is more of a click-click-click whose speed is determined by the speed at which the steering wheel is being turned.

The noise isn't there when i'm at speeds above 5 MPH. Could it be something related to the power steering? I have no idea how drive-by-wire cars work.

Also, this car has been in a front-end collision (passenger side). Only the passenger side suspension and sub-frame was damaged. Car has already been fixed by a shop.

Any experts out there who can tell me what this noise is coming from? It's quite annoying

BTW my car is a 6MT '08 TL type-s

 

^noise is either coming from somewhere behind the steering column (under the hood?) or from the front driver's side suspension. I have a huntch that it's not from suspension though.

Also, the noise is present even when I only slightly turn the steering wheel. The most prevalent creeks/clicks are audible when I turn the wheel about 45 degrees left or right from center.

 

Ensuing "clicks" follow each other about every continuous half-inch or inch the steering wheel turns. I don't believe I hear any clicks after the steering wheel is rotated > 120 degrees off center, but I could be wrong.

 

I took my '06 TL to the dealership the other day and the tech told me that my front axle bearing seals are leaking and I will eventually hear a clicking sound when I turn the wheel. That may be what it is. Hope it helps.

 

cv (constant velocity) joint. they replaced my entire axle.

 

Thanks guys, i'll be sure to bring this up if they say they can't find anything. I've heard of the CV joint, but the axle bearing is new to me. Good info!