For awhile now I have been starting to get this weird noise when I go over certain bumps, it only happens on very big speed bumps , seems to be more pronounced when it's going at an angle which puts more stress on the frame/front sway bar because the wheels hit the bump at different times. However couple weeks ago I put in a different set of shocks and springs and it didn't help at all. Then I changed my compliance bushing and the bushing under the strut on the LCA, that didn't help either(although it did make the car feel better). Also, occasionally I get the sound when taking off from a stop, or when accelerating hard on low speeds only. This sound I am talking about is best described by a "gulp", not a clunk, clink, or thump. It's minor enough that none of my passengers can hear it but I know it, and I can feel it in my steering wheel when it happens. I think it has something to do with steering at this point, but I'm not sure. Any ideas?

 

Is the sound similar to the ABS self-check, which is supposed to occur only while driving forward after the first start of the day?

 

Motor mount

 

i know what the abs sound self check is like...this is not it. btw this sound happens in all temperatures and is NOT only during warmup

 

thats one possibility i do consider...but will the motor really bounce around enough with a bad motor mount to make such noises? I'm aware of the clunk when motor mounts go bad but this is not it... and plus it wouldnt be felt through the steering wheel I think. In any case I do still consider it a possibility

 

i think uploading a video is in order..

didnt you just replace your mounts within the year?

 

Does the steering wheel jerk one way or another when you hear this "gulp"?

 

not to a noticeable extent

 

I found out the "gulp" is from the steering column. Not sure if its a symptom of a bad rack and pinion? Unless something in the column is loose? Kinda doubt it though, what do you guys think? Could it be maybe tie rods? I'm trying to avoid a whole rack and pinion replacement if possible. Well it's not bad enough to warrant a replacement anyways it's just a quiet noise sometimes

 

replaced inner tie rod, outer rid rod, and front endlink with moog parts. the noise is still there. upon more research, it sounds like it could be steering rack bushings from the RL or pop from the steering column from the 4G TL. just weird that im getting symptoms from other cars lol
https://acurazine.com/forums/4g-tl-problems-fixes-297/clunk-felt-heard-through-steering-wheel-column-782478/

 

Have you replaced your passenger side motor mount?

 

I hate clunck/gulps. You can spend a small fortune trying to fix it.

I would change the rack bushings and go from there. You always start with the cheapest parts first.

My Moms Trans Am wouldn't start so a shop put in a FPR, Fuel Pump, and spent hours trying to diag... I walked in and replaced the 3.50 fuel pump relay and it fired right up. Needless to say the shop ate the price of the pump and FPR. Basicly I am saying start small.

 

Definitely start small ^ .

Looks like paperboy already changed a lot though. lol

 

well i didnt mind because my car's mileage is getting up there anyways, having a fresh pair of tie rods and endlinks is just preventive maintenance for the future, and plus the ball joints on new ones felt a lot more "firm" than the old ones I took out.