Loud "crack" when turning to park.

[Anonymous]

Any ideas what is causing a loud metallic crack when turning, always when in the process of parking. But not all the time. Noise appears to eminate from base of steering column.  Taken to garage twice and nothing wrong can be found.
MR2 Roadster (2000)

[Anonymous]

i get that too, it happens once per journey either when i leave from parking or park (ie stress on the powersteering). LMK if you find out what it is!  s:roll: :roll: s:roll:  

So far nothing bad has happened (it has been happening for about 6 months or more

[Anonymous]

Thanks for that, a problem shared and all that. I would agree with the stress. But its not that I have the steering wheel hard over. However I shall moniter the problem and if and when it is resolved I will let you know. Thanks for letting me know I am not the only one with this problem.

[Tem]

Any ideas what is causing a loud metallic crack when turning, always when in the process of parking. But not all the time. Noise appears to eminate from base of steering column.  Taken to garage twice and nothing wrong can be found.

It's quite a common problem, but there doesn't seem to be a definite answer  s:? :? s:?  You might wanna browse/search older messages...

[spit]

I had this on my '99 MR-S, but it disappeared when I replaced the stock tyres with Eagle F1's.

One of the theories going round at the time was that the front wheels' attitudes and angles don't reflect the different o/s and n/s radii when you're turning at slow speeds. This causes the front suspension to get forced out of line and releases with a clunk when turning (usually through one of the front wheels "hopping" back into position). This could be what you're feeling through the steering. If it doesn't happen if you reverse-park or forward turn at higher speeds, then this could well be it.

Only a theory, but could be plausible (perhaps one of our more technically-aware members can comment?), and I can only confirm that since switching tyres it hasn't happened once. Maybe the softer F1 walls absorb this wind-up effect?

[Anonymous]

By crack went away aftre they changed the suspension mounts.

[Anonymous]

I have had suspension mounts changed and with stock Bridgies on, it didn't go away. It also only seemed to happen in "damp" conditions. Now I have changed to Toyo's and the weather has been pretty miserable over the last couple of weeks, I can honestly say it hasn't happened. So, I reckon there is some truth it is predominantly down to the stock tyres and the suspension "jumping" back into position.......