Clicking or clacking noise while driving with steering wheel turned

[junehhan]

Out of curiosity, has anyone here had any experience with this? Recently, my 2016 Sport has started making a clicking or clacking noise when turning. It makes no difference whether I am going forward or in reverse. It almost sounds like the type of clicking you get when a CV joint is going out, but I am currently convinced that it is not CV joint related. It is worse when turning sharp to the right but does it when turning left as well. The noise appears to be equal and bilateral in volume, intensity, and proportional to the speed. I have tried gunning it with the steering wheel turned sharp and the clicking/clacking is no worse which leads me to believe the CV joints are not involved. It would also be extremely rare that both CV joints would be having issues at the same time as CV joints are typically very reliable and durable these days. I have 23k miles and the factory 21's with the stock Pirellis. I am trying to determine whether I should be worried or not as my Ford dealer is 4 hours away. I now live in the mountains of Eastern KY.

[enigma-2]

Need discussed before: http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/2613-slow-turns-produce-loud-clicking-sounds/

[junehhan]

Thanks for the link. I took a look at that thread when it popped up during a Bing search. It is from way back in 2008 so I figured that it wouldn't apply to my 2016 and these 21's. The only thing relatively modern I could find was a similar issue on the Explorer related to issues with some sort of hub bearing between the hub and halfshaft.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Brakes are another common source of issues, along with hub bearings. Caliper, brake pad, rocks in the dust shield, bent dust shield ... Easier to discern the sound in enclosed spaces, maybe a parking garage or even driving next to a jersey barrier can help.

 

Halfshafts were an issue on some gen 1.5 MYs. But if you are not noticing any stutter during acceleration probably not the ptu or halfshaft. Still could be a bearing in early stages. Also cannot rule out transmission. I think someone with a Gen 2 has posted on here before about a similar clicking sound ... Will see if I can find it.

[enigma-2]

This what your were thinking of? (Still think it's a CV joint. They can go bad early on as well as high milage).

http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/20419-clicking-on-front-right-wheel-anyone-else/?fromsearch=1

[junehhan]

I saw that thread too, but I just love it when people post a problem and never come back to give an update. I am heading back to my home in Cincinnati this weekend and will try whipping out the old Sears torque wrench and try tightening the lug nuts to see if that could be it. If I am not mistaken, the lug nuts on our Edge seem to need torqued higher than many vehicles typically are. Since I will be back in Eastern KY again, I cannot stop by the dealership while I am up there.

[junehhan]

Ok, so the dealer called and said that they solved the noise by lubricating a brake caliper spindle. If this solves the issue, then my concern is whether it will pop up again.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Will reserve comment till invoice is available for review. I wonder if they meant slide pins.

[junehhan]

Here is what is written on the repair receipt.

 

HEAR NOISE COMING FROM CALIPER. PERFORMED FRONT BRAKE INSPECTION, LUBRICATED PADS, SLIDES, AND RETAINER SPRING, TEST DROVE, VERIFIED REPAIR.

 

Here is the problem is that 240 miles later, it is starting to do it again. It is quieter than it was, but that was how it started the first time. I made another appointment to take the car back in on August 14th. I noticed it doing it again as I was pulling into the Dairy Queen and heard it starting to click away as I was rounding the drive thru.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Were the pads wearing evenly, do you know?

[junehhan]

I honestly could not tell you, but the rotors do not appear to show signs of uneven pad wear. If there is a caliper piston issue, usually you can tell when you do a hard brake as well and I am getting no indication that is the case. The problem is that my work schedule is hectic and the dealer being 4 hours away does not help.

[sdonaghey]

I just started to have that problem on my 2016 Lincoln MKX. It has the 2.7L engine also. I just bought it a couple weeks ago used with like 13000 miles on it. Everything was good for the first week and then just a few days ago it started. I guess I will have to get it serviced and see what is going on.

[chefduane]

What the heck is a 'brake caliper spindle'?

[Burrcold]

I had a very similar sounding noise. Noticed mostly at lower speeds (like pulling into my driveway). Anyways, just had it at the dealer and they did two things. First they replaced both front rotor backing plates, and they also tightened the strut mounts. The sound is completely gone now, although I don't know which repair fixed the problem!

[chefduane]

^ Bad strut mount bearings? Tightening them up may ameliorate the sound but the problem would eventually return, I think.

[Burrcold]

The service guy said they have seen several Edges come from the factory with the struts not properly torqued. So I think it's an issue from the factory. I know mine only has 8k miles on it and has been making the noise since day one.

 

In my case though it could have been the rotor backing plates being replaced that made the noise go away.