348 steering wheel local "clunk" noise | FerrariChat
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348 steering wheel local "clunk" noise

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by ricbowling, Jul 14, 2009.

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  1. ricbowling

    ricbowling Karting

    Jan 21, 2008
    140
    Cascais
    Full Name:
    Ricardo Almeida
    #1 ricbowling, Jul 14, 2009
    when I turn the steering wheel there is a point where it makes a noise. what proceedure should I take to repair?
     
  2. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,055
    USA
    #2 f355spider, Jul 14, 2009
    Check the easy stuff first...tie rod ends at each end of the rack, and the bushings that mount the rack to the car. Look for play or noises.
     
  3. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2002
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    Milton, Wash.
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    Jeff B.
    #3 Miltonian, Jul 15, 2009
    More info, please. Can you feel anything through the steering wheel when you hear the "clunk"? Does the noise seem to be coming from inside the car, or from underneath? Have you ever had a front end accident? Do you have the original steering wheel?

    One thing I might mention. Many years ago, when I was working at a VW dealership, I used to hear a very annoying "clunk" from the steering in almost every FWD car I drove. It turned out to be coming from the universal joint in the steering column, under the dashboard. There is a bolt and nut that holds the joint onto the shaft, and the bolt had to be TIGHT. I probably fixed over 100 cars that had that noise, just by tightening that bolt. I see that the 348 has the same setup, right where the steering shaft passes through the floor, under the dash. You might want to check to see if it's tight. Very tight.

    There are numerous other possibilities. Your steering wheel could be loose. The turn signal cancelling mechanism could be binding. The column brackets could be loose. The boot in the floor could be partially popped out. The steering rack could be loose, or its bushings could be worn. The tie rod ends could be worn. One of the front wheels could be hitting on the inner fender liner. ETC.
     
  4. ricbowling

    ricbowling Karting

    Jan 21, 2008
    140
    Cascais
    Full Name:
    Ricardo Almeida
    #4 ricbowling, Jul 15, 2009
    In response to your questions:

    I can feel the steering wheel not responding when I hear the "clunk" as if a bit loose

    Does the noise seem to be coming from inside the car, or from underneath? not sure 100% sure

    Have you ever had a front end accident? NO

    Do you have the original steering wheel? NO I have 360 Momo
     
  5. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2002
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    Jeff B.
    #5 Miltonian, Jul 15, 2009
    After reading your response, I would guess that the slotted nut holding your steering wheel onto the shaft is loose.
     
  6. ricbowling

    ricbowling Karting

    Jan 21, 2008
    140
    Cascais
    Full Name:
    Ricardo Almeida
    #6 ricbowling, Jul 15, 2009
    how do i access the parts that you mention?
     
  7. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2002
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    Jeff B.
    #7 Miltonian, Jul 15, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I asked about a replacement steering wheel because there's always the possibility that whoever installed the new wheel didn't have the correct tool to loosen and tighten the nut. Maybe? If your 348 has a steering wheel from a 360 (air bag type), then I'm afraid I don't know exactly how the center pad is removed. I'm sure it's not difficult. On a standard 348 wheel it just pulls off. Under the center pad is the nut that holds the wheel onto the column, but it isn't a hex nut, it's round with four slots. You need a tool with four pins to match the slots. You can buy them or make them. If someone took it off with a chisel and tightened it with needle nose pliers, then there's your problem. I'd say that's more likely than something wrong with the rack. Wouldn't hurt to check.
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