1996 Subaru Impreza knocking noise under steering column

JOSEPH_45

MEMBER
1996 SUBARU IMPREZA

Noises problem
1996 Subaru Impreza 4 cyl All Wheel Drive Automatic 216K miles

My daughters' subaru has just started making what can only be described as a knocking noise that seems to be coming from under her steering column. It doesn't do it all of the time, and when it does, it starts as soon as she turns on her ignition. Sometimes it goes away on its own and other times it continues until she turns her ignition off when she arrives at her destination. I had the opportunity to listen to it this evening, when she put her cell phone up under her steering column. It sounds like a knocking or thumping noise, and it is steady and rythmic, as if something were turning and hitting against the inside of the steering column. I have not had the opportunity to actually get under the dash to see if I can find the cause, but I did hear it. Any ideas?

5 Replies

DOCFIXIT

MECHANIC
18,828 POSTS

Hi
This is going to be good. Does noise change in frequency as to engine speed? Does operating brakes affect noise? Any warning lights on?
Let me know
Thanks for donate
Try opening hood when noise is present see if you can pinpoint a source

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Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 AT 9:15 AM

JOSEPH_45

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I won't be able to give you an answer until a few days from now. I am replacing the linkage arm on her wiper motor, and when she gets here I will do what you suggest, and will get back to you. Thank you for your quick response to my question.

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Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 AT 1:33 PM

JOSEPH_45

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Just spoke with my daughter. Answer is no to all of your questions. Although noise seems to be closer to lower portion of steering column, and appears to be coming from close to floorboard. It is a steady knocking sounding that remains constant. Last night it did not stop at all.

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Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 AT 2:20 PM

DOCFIXIT

MECHANIC
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Let me know when car arrives need to check motor mounts and torque rod for transaxle

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Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 AT 2:38 PM

JOSEPH_45

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4 POSTS

I just spoke with my daughter and the sound is actually coming from the lower part of the steering column, where all of the wiring is located. Last night it did it until she reached her destination, and started again when she started it up. Today it did not do it at all. But it is definitely coming from under the steering column, where all of the wiring is located, not from near the floorboard where I initially stated. Sorry. We both know the car has a problem with the planetary gears, and she will need a tranny at some point, but I don't think it is transmission related simply because of where the sound is emanating from. Do you think the sound could be the torque rod for the transaxle, and the vibration is transmitting up through the steering column? The car has 216K miles on it, but it was serviced at a Subaru dealer regularly. I would take it to them but they charge around $80 to diagnose the problem. She also has a problem with one of the cylinders misfiring. As she drives it starts to misfire and sputter, and after a few minutes of this it stops. The dealer looked at it and it was misfiring due to carbon buildup in #4 cylinder, but they told her they cleared the code, and that it wasn't anything serious. I put some Marvel mystery oil in with her last oil change, and some in her gas, but the problem continues. I have tried injector cleaner and used 93 octane Amoco, and again, it helped for a short time, but the problem surfaced again. Right now though the knocking sound under her steering column is her primary concern.