Grinding Noise when Turning or Switching from Reverse to Drive

[gelberdaniel19]

2018 GT2 AWD, 22k miles, stock except for slotted rotors and better pads

I'm hoping to get some feedback on noises I've been having for a few months now. This noise is kinda a grinding noise in the front, maybe in the left wheel well or maybe behind/under the steering wheel. It happens when I turn at low speeds, and its worse when I turn right. It also happens when I switch from reverse to forward, when I start moving forward. With these two combined, it's the loudest (for example, backing into a parking spot and pulling out to the right). I say grinding sound but I'm not sure that's 100% correct. It sounds to me like it gears rubbing past each other and setting into place, if that makes any sense. It's always 1-3 creaks/grinds and then it tapers off with a sliding or setting-into-place sound. I can also feel it in the steering wheel. Turning my wheel makes me feel like I'm trying to make a part slide past another.

When I lift the front of my car and rotate my left wheel, whenever I change directions, I can hear what I think is backlash. It's a single clear clunk that happens as I'm changing from forward to backwards or vice versa. This makes me suspect that this might be two different sources, as this sound is definitely not the grinding noise described above but could be the "setting into place" sound.

As the car warms up, the noise gets quieter and eventually stops. After about 10 minutes of driving, I can steer hard left and right in a parking lot and it only makes 0-2 creaks and the sound of "setting into place" doesn't happen. The sound is clearest when turning out of a parking spot that I backed into many hours ago, so I'll record audio tomorrow when I leave work if there's no clear ideas here. I took it into a dealership 2 weeks ago but it was a 45 minute drive. I didn't realize that the sound got better as the car heated up and it was gone when I dropped it off. They inspected the suspension and brakes and found nothing wrong, but who knows how thorough the inspection was.

Lastly, I haven't been able to hear the sound with the windows down, though I never attempted to for the "first and bad" noise of my drive because I'm forgetful. I'm not sure if it's the ambient noise or if it's a problem with the steering column, but opening the windows seems to make it harder to hear.

Some ideas I've looked into are:
- Brake pads. It's not this.
- CV Axle
- Tie rods
- Differential (maybe backlash? I don't know what backlash sounds like though)
- Steering column. Not sure if the reverse and forward thing could be caused by that though.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I didn't realize that the sound got better as the car heated up and it was gone when I dropped it off.

Crap Why does this happen so often?

I suspect a bad wheel bearing: steering rack could be heading south too. Power steering is something that warms up, so the entire complex of noises could originate somewhere in the power steering. I'm not a car guy, but I've learned enough to be able to create a short list of suspicious possibilities. Welcome to the forum and good luck! Also, I look forward your video.

 

[gelberdaniel19]

Crap Why does this happen so often?

I suspect a bad wheel bearing: steering rack could be heading south too. Power steering is something that warms up, so the entire complex of noises could originate somewhere in the power steering. I'm not a car guy, but I've learned enough to be able to create a short list of suspicious possibilities. Welcome to the forum and good luck! Also, I look forward your video.

Here's that video. Thanks for your input!

 

[MerlintheMad]

Here's that video.

As with most of these, they are not very revealing: the audio doesn't pick up what you hear clearly, especially if there is a feeling that goes along with it: a video is not going to pick up a "clunk" feeling. I have to say that if I just ran this video without a title or any background, I'd wonder what it was trying to show. That is because the few noises picked up are not consistent, repetitive or loud: I was waiting for a palpable *thunk* or something: instead all I can hear are these soft occasional steering noises.

My steering makes soft noises that I've always just associated with many mechanical parts doing their thing: nothing that sounds like it's wearing out or breaking. When I back out of our driveway and over the gutter, if I turn the wheel left, to get ready to head right, sometimes there is a rather noticeable *clunk*, and it was my wife who asked, "What was that?" And I said, "Something in the suspension has to be flexing at just that point to make a noise, don't worry about it." And it doesn't repeat until the next time I go through that exact same backing out maneuver over the gutter.

If your noises go away after warming up, I'd say live with it and keep your ears open: if anything is noticeably getting worse (louder, more frequent), then the service guys are going to find the failing part(s). If that never happens, then those noises are just characteristic of your particular vehicle. All vehicles make unique noises.

 

[vipeboy2000]

hmm.. could this be the strut bearings on top of the strut tower??

 

[iCon27]

2018 GT2 AWD, 22k miles, stock except for slotted rotors and better pads

I'm hoping to get some feedback on noises I've been having for a few months now. This noise is kinda a grinding noise in the front, maybe in the left wheel well or maybe behind/under the steering wheel. It happens when I turn at low speeds, and its worse when I turn right. It also happens when I switch from reverse to forward, when I start moving forward. With these two combined, it's the loudest (for example, backing into a parking spot and pulling out to the right). I say grinding sound but I'm not sure that's 100% correct. It sounds to me like it gears rubbing past each other and setting into place, if that makes any sense. It's always 1-3 creaks/grinds and then it tapers off with a sliding or setting-into-place sound. I can also feel it in the steering wheel. Turning my wheel makes me feel like I'm trying to make a part slide past another.

When I lift the front of my car and rotate my left wheel, whenever I change directions, I can hear what I think is backlash. It's a single clear clunk that happens as I'm changing from forward to backwards or vice versa. This makes me suspect that this might be two different sources, as this sound is definitely not the grinding noise described above but could be the "setting into place" sound.

As the car warms up, the noise gets quieter and eventually stops. After about 10 minutes of driving, I can steer hard left and right in a parking lot and it only makes 0-2 creaks and the sound of "setting into place" doesn't happen. The sound is clearest when turning out of a parking spot that I backed into many hours ago, so I'll record audio tomorrow when I leave work if there's no clear ideas here. I took it into a dealership 2 weeks ago but it was a 45 minute drive. I didn't realize that the sound got better as the car heated up and it was gone when I dropped it off. They inspected the suspension and brakes and found nothing wrong, but who knows how thorough the inspection was.

Lastly, I haven't been able to hear the sound with the windows down, though I never attempted to for the "first and bad" noise of my drive because I'm forgetful. I'm not sure if it's the ambient noise or if it's a problem with the steering column, but opening the windows seems to make it harder to hear.

Some ideas I've looked into are:
- Brake pads. It's not this.
- CV Axle
- Tie rods
- Differential (maybe backlash? I don't know what backlash sounds like though)
- Steering column. Not sure if the reverse and forward thing could be caused by that though.

I've been experiencing the same issue for two to three years. The dealership has a hard time replicating the issue but they did once and say it is actually the rear rear control arms that is reverberating around to sound like the front. They also drove a 2022 GT2 and said the could replicate the issue with the brand new car, So this is not a warranty issue. I don't know if I totally agree and was thinking it is the driver side front strut mount but further investigation will be needed. So it sounds like contacting Kia will be the next step as this is unacceptable for a 4-year-old car and also a new car. I have a video I can post shortly.

 

[AdrianG]

Mine makes a strange sound on both sides, as well. Typically it only happens after backing out of my driveway then putting it in drive, turning and accelerating. Both sides make a similar sound, albeit the left side is louder than the right, probably because my ear is closer to the source.
It has made this sound since day 1.

 

[iCon27]

Mine makes a strange sound on both sides, as well. Typically it only happens after backing out of my driveway then putting it in drive, turning and accelerating. Both sides make a similar sound, albeit the left side is louder than the right, probably because my ear is closer to the source.
It has made this sound since day 1.

I have verified it is the rear control arms. Good time to write to @kiausa support

 

[Mole]

I have this exact issue. Ugh. Anyone get it resolved. '22 GT

 

[Slip_Angle]

I have verified it is the rear control arms. Good time to write to @kiausa support

What part of the control arms?

 

[tarmacblack1]

I wonder if aftermarket bushings could cure this.

 

[D.J.]

I have verified it is the rear control arms. Good time to write to @kiausa support

Any response from Kia?

How did you verify the cause?

 

[G-166215]

Has anyone figured out what is causing this noise? I have the very exact thing in my 2020 Genesis G70 Sport AWD. Dealership says that everything looks good underneath, can hear the sound, but can't figure it out.

 

[iCon27]

Has anyone figured out what is causing this noise? I have the very exact thing in my 2020 Genesis G70 Sport AWD. Dealership says that everything looks good underneath, can hear the sound, but can't figure it out.

I have verified it is the rear control arms. Good time to write to @kiausa support