Steering wheel "Click" sound

[TinsleyC]

The steering wheel is making a "click" sound that can be heard and felt when turning a little bit from center. After the "click" the steering wheen then "catches" something, and turns the wheels.

I just can't believe your experience. I would be quite upset. Are there any other dealerships within driving distance? Maybe call them and describe the problem, and tell them the other dealers won't address it. If they're worth their name, they should fix it. But I would get that agreement over the phone before making the drive. I'm assuming that the click and feel are easy to detect.

 

[AdriaticBlueG70]

Went to a couple of independent mechanics to feel the steering wheel and listen to the sound, and made a video for a mechanic's advice sub-reddit. All three sources think the most likely culprit is a U joint somewhere on the steering column, either behind the wheel itself, or lower down by the pedals. Going back to a dealer with that tomorrow. I can't believe I have to do the investigating myself because the dealers don't want to. One of the mechanics point blank asked me why I brought the car to him "This should be real easy for the dealer to find." He's right, of course, but I almost lost it, as no dealers want anything to do with this problem.

Link to Reddit where I posted a video reproducing the problem with the car off, so that you can at least hear what I'm feeling in my hands. Use headphones with volume way up, or non-laptop speakers. The sound of the clunk is on the low frequency side, and my own laptop speakers could barely reproduce it, whereas my desktop computer speakers, and headphones had no issues.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/es5t4q

 

[joschneider]

I hope you get this figured out. Coincidentally mine just starting making a rapid, very quiet tick tick tick sound at <10mph (engine warmed or cold, all drive modes). No other symptoms or pops but it sounds like I might have the same thing developing on mine now....super.

 

[AdriaticBlueG70]

I hope you get this figured out. Coincidentally mine just starting making a rapid, very quiet tick tick tick sound at <10mph (engine warmed or cold, all drive modes). No other symptoms or pops but it sounds like I might have the same thing developing on mine now....super.

Oh lord. Good luck dealing with this. Yesterday, the case manager supervisor, Kyle Duncan, from Genesis USA called me, and implied I was faking all this, saying “videos don’t matter.” I am in the process of seeking an attorney.

 

[joschneider]

Oh lord. Good luck dealing with this. Yesterday, the case manager supervisor, Kyle Duncan, from Genesis USA called me, and implied I was faking all this, saying “videos don’t matter.” I am in the process of seeking an attorney.

my dealership is luckily pretty good, its my second car with them and theyve fixed issues Ive brought up before. I wont take it in until my next oil change in about 3k miles unless it suddenly gets way worse

good luck dude

 

[TinsleyC]

AdriaticBlue, so if you're driving down the road and you turn the wheel a little left and right, as we do to stay on track, do you feel it click with every move? That would drive me crazy.

 

[AdriaticBlueG70]

AdriaticBlue, so if you're driving down the road and you turn the wheel a little left and right, as we do to stay on track, do you feel it click with every move? That would drive me crazy.

When the car is warmed up, almost every 1-2 degree move left or right. If I’m turning the wheel a lot more, like 45 degrees, I’ll feel it in the first 1-2 degrees maybe 1/10 times, so it is most prevalent during those small steering adjustments.

 

[Husky]

I could see how that might be the steering column U-joint or the rag joint (if they still have those). If you can feel it or hear it while parked, maybe you can try and have a look at the joint while someone moves the steering wheel. If it's that and it's loose or broken or something, that could certainly become a serious safety issue (not trying to scare you).
Also, I wonder if it could be as simple as the nut holding the steering wheel on being lose (although the steering shaft is splined, so you might not have any play if it's a tight fit).

 

[Toddasaurus]

Also, I wonder if it could be as simple as the nut holding the steering wheel on being lose (although the steering shaft is splined, so you might not have any play if it's a tight fit).

I would doubt it, primarily because of what you already mentioned - the splines would prevent that. Also, he had one dealer remove the wheel and check the clock spring, so they must have re-torqued the nut, though the problem persists.

If it really is a steering column universal joint, you may be able to inspect it for play without even removing the steering wheel or column. Looking at the FSM, it looks like you should just be able to remove the steering column lower cover/shroud, or even stick your head up under there in the footwell and you should be able to see the column universal joint. Perhaps wiggle the steering wheel left/right while the engine is off, (as that will put a lot of torque on that joint) and see if it is what's causing that sensation.

In addition to this, there is another universal joint underneath the car that angles the steering shaft into the rack/gearbox/motor assembly. The picture that the FSM provides doesn't really line up with what I saw underneath my 3.3 IIRC, but the joint should still be relatively easy to inspect with the bottom engine cover/splashguard removed. Again, you would have someone attempt to turn the wheel left/right with the engine off while looking at the u-joint to see if it's loose or something.

If both of those are tight, I don't know... Maybe some bolt(s) really is a little loose somewhere along the column/shaft/rack line. It could be a very simple fix, and it wouldn't be the first time there was a loose bolt on a brand new G70. With mine, I found a very loose primary downpipe stay bracket the very first time I inspected the exhaust underneath the car.

 

[AdriaticBlueG70]

I would doubt it, primarily because of what you already mentioned - the splines would prevent that. Also, he had one dealer remove the wheel and check the clock spring, so they must have re-torqued the nut, though the problem persists.


If it really is a steering column universal joint, you may be able to inspect it for play without even removing the steering wheel or column. Looking at the FSM, it looks like you should just be able to remove the steering column lower cover/shroud, or even stick your head up under there in the footwell and you should be able to see the column universal joint. Perhaps wiggle the steering wheel left/right while the engine is off, (as that will put a lot of torque on that joint) and see if it is what's causing that sensation.

In addition to this, there is another universal joint underneath the car that angles the steering shaft into the rack/gearbox/motor assembly. The picture that the FSM provides doesn't really line up with what I saw underneath my 3.3 IIRC, but the joint should still be relatively easy to inspect with the bottom engine cover/splashguard removed. Again, you would have someone attempt to turn the wheel left/right with the engine off while looking at the u-joint to see if it's loose or something.

If both of those are tight, I don't know... Maybe some bolt(s) really is a little loose somewhere along the column/shaft/rack line. It could be a very simple fix, and it wouldn't be the first time there was a loose bolt on a brand new G70. With mine, I found a very loose primary downpipe stay bracket the very first time I inspected the exhaust underneath the car.

"or even stick your head up under there in the footwell and you should be able to see the column universal joint. Perhaps wiggle the steering wheel left/right while the engine is off, (as that will put a lot of torque on that joint) and see if it is what's causing that sensation."

I did this and took some video. So there is a U joint above the pedals, and one below the pedals, hidden behind the firewall in what looks like a rubber boot. So I could only really look at the one above the pedals, and it looked fine, with no apparent looseness. It seemed like the noise *may* have been coming from it when I wiggled the steering wheel. However, there is also a bearing above this U joint, and it seemed more likely that the noise was coming from the bearing, or above it, in the column where the wiper stalk is. I will post the video when I get home.

Not sure why the dealers don't want to inspect these things. Every time I've spoken to one, I got this vibe that unless there is a code in their scan tools, they're clueless. One at Genesis of Oak Park insisted that EVERY car on their lot did this. I laughed, said, "OK, show me ONE car that does this." And then he clammed up and made more excuses, and refused.

"In addition to this, there is another universal joint underneath the car that angles the steering shaft into the rack/gearbox/motor assembly. The picture that the FSM provides doesn't really line up with what I saw underneath my 3.3 IIRC, but the joint should still be relatively easy to inspect with the bottom engine cover/splashguard removed. Again, you would have someone attempt to turn the wheel left/right with the engine off while looking at the u-joint to see if it's loose or something."

Sadly, this isn't something I can do due to limited space, and due to the fact that the dealer/Hyundai would definitely fight me if I touched anything on this car with a screwdriver. I know, I know, Mag-Moss and all that, consumer rights, etc...I just can't handle another fight with them right now. So if something requires even a little disassembly, I'm only letting the authorized dealer do it.

"If both of those are tight, I don't know... Maybe some bolt(s) really is a little loose somewhere along the column/shaft/rack line. It could be a very simple fix, and it wouldn't be the first time there was a loose bolt on a brand new G70. With mine, I found a very loose primary downpipe stay bracket the very first time I inspected the exhaust underneath the car."

You're probably right. But given that a lot of these techs don't seem interested in diagnosing anything, they'll probably eventually cave and replace the whole steering column. Which is fine by me, if they do it right, and the noise/steering wheel pop sensation goes away.

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[TinsleyC]

One at Genesis of Oak Park insisted that EVERY car on their lot did this. I laughed, said, "OK, show me ONE car that does this." And then he clammed up and made more excuses, and refused.

That would really piss me off!

 

[Toddasaurus]

"or even stick your head up under there in the footwell and you should be able to see the column universal joint. Perhaps wiggle the steering wheel left/right while the engine is off, (as that will put a lot of torque on that joint) and see if it is what's causing that sensation."

I did this and took some video. So there is a U joint above the pedals, and one below the pedals, hidden behind the firewall in what looks like a rubber boot. So I could only really look at the one above the pedals, and it looked fine, with no apparent looseness. It seemed like the noise *may* have been coming from it when I wiggled the steering wheel. However, there is also a bearing above this U joint, and it seemed more likely that the noise was coming from the bearing, or above it, in the column where the wiper stalk is. I will post the video when I get home.

Not sure why the dealers don't want to inspect these things. Every time I've spoken to one, I got this vibe that unless there is a code in their scan tools, they're clueless. One at Genesis of Oak Park insisted that EVERY car on their lot did this. I laughed, said, "OK, show me ONE car that does this." And then he clammed up and made more excuses, and refused.

"In addition to this, there is another universal joint underneath the car that angles the steering shaft into the rack/gearbox/motor assembly. The picture that the FSM provides doesn't really line up with what I saw underneath my 3.3 IIRC, but the joint should still be relatively easy to inspect with the bottom engine cover/splashguard removed. Again, you would have someone attempt to turn the wheel left/right with the engine off while looking at the u-joint to see if it's loose or something."

Sadly, this isn't something I can do due to limited space, and due to the fact that the dealer/Hyundai would definitely fight me if I touched anything on this car with a screwdriver. I know, I know, Mag-Moss and all that, consumer rights, etc...I just can't handle another fight with them right now. So if something requires even a little disassembly, I'm only letting the authorized dealer do it.

"If both of those are tight, I don't know... Maybe some bolt(s) really is a little loose somewhere along the column/shaft/rack line. It could be a very simple fix, and it wouldn't be the first time there was a loose bolt on a brand new G70. With mine, I found a very loose primary downpipe stay bracket the very first time I inspected the exhaust underneath the car."

You're probably right. But given that a lot of these techs don't seem interested in diagnosing anything, they'll probably eventually cave and replace the whole steering column. Which is fine by me, if they do it right, and the noise/steering wheel pop sensation goes away.

Unfortunately you're absolutely right. Dealerships don't care about diagnosing things, probably because they don't get paid for it, nor do I believe that they really understand all the mechanics of the cars. These things are pretty dang complex. Even so, again, there isn't much motivation for them to really dig and diagnose things, both due to the capability of the onboard diagnostics system, and no reimbursement from GMA.

For what it's worth, I still think it's the clock spring. But I have no basis for my hypothesis, other than other owners having a similar problem on the previous generation Genesis.

 

[AdriaticBlueG70]

So this is what happens when the car sits in the garage for 4-5 days. Lasts 5-7 minutes. Feels really weird in my hands, like there is some rubber belt rubbing on metal. More resistance than usual, and the wheel does not want to come back to the center when driving and making a turn. And the noise...well...sounds kind of like a rubber ducky. Of course, video does not matter to the dealer or Genesis corporate (or so they say), so I don't know what to do. But here it is for all of you to see. I don't know how much more I can provide them.

Mind you, this is in addition to the steering wheel popping feeling and popping noise.

 

[joschneider]

So this is what happens when the car sits in the garage for 4-5 days. Lasts 5-7 minutes. Feels really weird in my hands, like there is some rubber belt rubbing on metal. More resistance than usual, and the wheel does not want to come back to the center when driving and making a turn. And the noise...well...sounds kind of like a rubber ducky. Of course, video does not matter to the dealer of Genesis, so I don't know what to do. But here it is for all of you to see.

Mind you, this is in addition to the steering wheel popping feeling and popping noise.

If it’s getting worse you can try another dealer visit. They can’t say they don’t notice it forever. I mean they could...but this sounds bad

 

[joschneider]

Also, that’s not your tires squeaking right?

 

[AdriaticBlueG70]

Also, that’s not your tires squeaking right?

Haha, no, I I wish! That would be easy. It is very clearly coming from the box behind the steering wheel (where the wiper stalk and the turn signal stalk come out from).

 

[joschneider]

Haha, no, I I wish! That would be easy. It is very clearly coming from the box behind the steering wheel (where the wiper stalk and the turn signal stalk come out from).

Ok then yea..how can anyone hear that and say it’s normal? It’s beyond subjective now

 

[AdriaticBlueG70]

If it’s getting worse you can try another dealer visit. They can’t say they don’t notice it forever. I mean they could...but this sounds bad

I've visited 5 dealers so far, no luck. One of them pretty much told me to f***k off because I made them fix a rattle over 4 visits by getting corporate involved.

 

[joschneider]

I've visited 5 dealers so far, no luck. One of them pretty much told me to f***k off because I made them fix a rattle over 4 visits by getting corporate involved.

Have you visited again since it got worse though?

 

[AdriaticBlueG70]

UPDATE (AND IT'S GOOD NEWS THIS TIME!)

I took it to another dealer, this time, Genesis of Oak Park, and they fixed the issue. Toddasaurus, you were both right and wrong about what it could be. It was not the clock spring as initially suspected, but something was definitely loose from the factory, which is another possibility you mentioned.

Turns out that parts of the steering shaft, behind the firewall, were rubbing on the firewall, and a steering shaft coupler was loose. They repositioned and re-torqued the coupler, which made the noise and popping-in-hands feeling go away. In fact, the steering feels better than when the car was new. In "Normal Mode" the steering is a bit less light than before, but I like that. Likely because there is now less play in the steering shaft overall.

On a test drive the mechanic also noticed my pulsating brakes, something a couple of other dealers refused to acknowledge. They resurfaced all my rotors, and the braking is much smoother. I will do the break-in/bedding procedure as soon as weather and traffic allow.

The whole time they were working on it, I had a G80 loaner. And wow, that NA V6 is SMOOTH. The 3.3T sounds like a rough 4 cylinder in comparison. The 3.8 has no guts, though, and the 3.3T is, of course, way more fun. The G80 feature I most wish the G70 had is the double pane front and side glass. That car had almost no wind noise, even at 80 MPH.