1999 Pontiac Bonneville Car makes a clicking noise when tur

Tiny
BONNEVILLE12
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 153,500 MILES
My car is making this clicking noise when I turn right. This noise only comes when I am turning right. The noise sounds like you are rubbing something metal against bicycle spokes. Its a type of clicking noise. I have taken it to 3 different shops and they either do not know or they tell me its something that it something that isn't wrong with it. I previously got the half-shaft replaced, but it still makes the noise. I was hoping that you could help me out and tell me what is really wrong with my car?
Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 AT 10:19 PM

24 Replies

Tiny
JAMES W.
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Is the noise apparent going straight down the road? If yes, and it's only when turning, does it get more pronounced the sharper you turn? Is it only when you turn RT, and not LFT? Please advise.
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Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 AT 10:30 PM
Tiny
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I isn't appearant when you are going straight. It only makes the noise when turning right. It does seem like the sharper that I turn the louder the clicking noise is.
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Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 AT 10:41 PM
Tiny
JAMES W.
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90 % of the time the cause of what you describe is a bad outboard Cv joint, BUT, it's usually noisy on both RT and LFT turns. You mentioned you had a 1/2 shaft replaced. Was this and outside joint and if so, which side. Also, what was happening that the joint was replaced?
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Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 AT 10:58 PM
Tiny
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The outstide CV boot had a hole in it and it was spitting grease. I thought this was the problem, but even thought I got the half shaft and the two boots replaced it still makes the same noise. The half shaft was replaced on the right side.
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Thursday, March 19th, 2009 AT 8:29 AM
Tiny
JAMES W.
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To clarify a point; When you say you had a 1/2 shaft replaced, do you mean the entire axle assm on the RT side, just the outboard joint, or just the boots? Let me know.
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Thursday, March 19th, 2009 AT 1:54 PM
Tiny
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The half shaft was the whole assy. On the reciept is says NEW CV HALF SHAFT AXLE, EA. It was $60. Idk if this will help you or not.
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Thursday, March 19th, 2009 AT 2:29 PM
Tiny
JAMES W.
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OK, let's back up here just a little bit. What was the original problem that prompted the axle change? Was it the clicking noise?
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Thursday, March 19th, 2009 AT 2:53 PM
Tiny
BONNEVILLE12
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No, there was a hole in the cv boot and it was spitting grease. I thought that it was going to fix the clicking noise too, but it still clicks only when I turn right.
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Thursday, March 19th, 2009 AT 3:27 PM
Tiny
JAMES W.
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I'm a little confused here. Did the shop change the actual outboard axle JOINT, or just the boot?
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Thursday, March 19th, 2009 AT 5:53 PM
Tiny
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I got a new axle and both boots replaced. So now I have a new shaft and new boots on my car.
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Thursday, March 19th, 2009 AT 7:07 PM
Tiny
JAMES W.
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Is it possible it's the joint on the opposite side?
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Saturday, March 21st, 2009 AT 8:39 PM
Tiny
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The sound is coming from the right side of the car. It does seem though that the noise does come from more in the front ride side of the car instead of right by the right side wheel.
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Saturday, March 21st, 2009 AT 10:40 PM
Tiny
JAMES W.
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OK, we're going to abandon any problem with a axle, so I need to ask a few questions;
Do you hear the noise when;
Turning right a highway speeds, just in town, or both?
More when turning sharply, during a gradual turn, or both?
Any noise at all when turning left?
Does it make a difference when the blower fan is running or not?
Looking inside the right fender well, do you see any sign of where the tire may be rubbing?
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Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 AT 11:46 PM
Tiny
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I have never heard it at highway speeds, but I do hear it when I am driving in town. It does make the noise when you turn gradualy, but it seems to make it a lot more whenever I turn sharply to the right. It only makes the noise when I turn right, not when I turn left. It doesn;t make a difference about the fan. And I looked inside the fender and It doesn't look like it is rubbing at all.
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Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 AT 10:28 PM
Tiny
JAMES W.
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The only other thing I can think of is the backing plate on the right rotor is maybe touching the rotor just enough to make an audioable noise. Other than that, you've checked everything else.
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 AT 2:37 PM
Tiny
BONNEVILLE12
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Okay, How much distance should there be between the backing plate and the rotor?
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 AT 4:23 PM
Tiny
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It was making the clicking noise this morning when I was getting onto the interstate. The on ramp went to the right and the sound was reall bad.
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Thursday, March 26th, 2009 AT 9:28 AM
Tiny
JAMES W.
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Clearance between the rotor and the backing plate should be just a fraction of an inch "1/4", even just enough so it doesn't touch.
Judging from your last post, you MUST have a wheel bearing going bad. If I'm correct, as you put on the miles, it will only get more pronounced.
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Friday, March 27th, 2009 AT 12:13 AM
Tiny
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A wheel bearing would cause a clicking noise? What are some other signs of the wheel bearing going bad?
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Friday, March 27th, 2009 AT 9:10 PM
Tiny
JAMES W.
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A wheel bearing going bad will usually start as a clicking noise when you turn one way or the other. You won't notice any change in driveability. Then it will turn into a growling noise more pronounced when turning, but also when going straight.
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Saturday, March 28th, 2009 AT 11:45 PM

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