Why Is My Car Clicking When Turning?
- Tyler Ellis
- Dec 9, 2025
- 4 min read
A clicking noise when you turn the steering wheel can be anything from “annoying but manageable” to “fix this before it leaves you stranded.” The reason it stands out is simple: turning loads up a bunch of moving parts (axles, joints, bearings, steering components), and any looseness or wear gets amplified.
If you’ve caught yourself asking, “Why Is My Car Clicking When Turning?”, the fastest way to narrow it down is to notice when it clicks: only on full-lock turns, only accelerating through a turn, only one direction, or even while turning in place.
Why Is My Car Clicking When Turning?
Most clicking noises while turning come from rotating parts under load—especially on front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles. Turning changes angles and forces, so worn components that seem “fine” going straight suddenly start making themselves known.
A few quick pattern clues:
Clicking mainly on sharp turns (like parking lots): often CV joint related.
Clicking only when accelerating through a turn: often CV joint or axle wear.
Clicking that matches wheel speed: often a rotating component (axle, bearing, debris, brake hardware).
Clicking only one direction: often points to one side (left or right) rather than something central.
You’ll see this question a lot because it’s common—and because ignoring it can turn a small repair into a bigger one.
What Causes This Problem?
1) Worn CV joint (the most common cause)
Constant Velocity (CV) joints let your axle transmit power while your wheels steer and move up/down. When a CV joint wears—especially the outer CV joint—it often makes a click-click-click sound during turns.
What usually causes the wear:
Torn CV boot that let grease out and dirt in
Long-term driving with low/no grease in the joint
High mileage wear
Typical signs:
Clicking gets worse on tighter turns
Clicking is louder while accelerating through the turn
You may see grease slung around the inside of the wheel well
2) Torn CV boot (even before the joint fully fails)
Sometimes the joint isn’t totally worn yet, but the boot is ripped and grease is leaking out. Catching it early can prevent the joint from destroying itself.
Typical signs:
Grease on suspension components or wheel well
Clicking is mild but gradually increasing
The boot looks cracked, split, or loose
3) Wheel bearing play (less common “click,” more often hum/growl)
Wheel bearings usually hum, but a worn bearing can also create clicking or knocking sounds—especially if there’s play and the load changes in a turn.
Typical signs:
Noise changes when turning left vs right
You may feel vibration or hear a growl at speed
The sound follows wheel speed more than engine RPM
4) Loose brake hardware or shifting brake pads
If anti-rattle clips are missing, pads are loose, or hardware is worn, braking components can click when the wheel changes direction or load shifts during turning.
Typical signs:
Clicking is more noticeable at low speed
Clicking may happen over bumps + turning
You may notice it right after brake work if hardware wasn’t installed correctly
5) Steering or suspension wear (tie rod ends, ball joints, sway bar links)
A worn joint can click when you steer because it’s changing angle under load. These parts are also safety-critical.
Typical signs:
Clicking plus loose steering feel
Clunk/click when turning into driveways
Uneven tire wear or wandering
6) Something rubbing: tire-to-liner contact or debris
Sometimes it’s not a mechanical failure—it’s contact. A loose inner fender liner, missing clips, or a slightly oversized tire can rub and make a repetitive clicking sound.
Typical signs:
Clicking happens only at full steering lock
You may see shiny rub marks on plastic
Often worse after suspension changes or impacts
7) Loose lug nuts (rare, but urgent)
Not common, but important. A wheel that isn’t properly secured can make noise and become dangerous fast.
Typical signs:
Clicking that gets worse quickly
Vibration through the steering wheel
Any recent tire work? Treat it as a priority check
How to Fix It?
If you’re trying to solve Why Is My Car Clicking When Turning?, the right fix depends on what’s actually worn or loose—so the goal is to confirm the source before replacing parts.
Step 1: Pinpoint the conditions
Try to answer:
Is it louder turning left or right?
Does it click only while accelerating in a turn?
Does it click even while coasting through a turn?
Does it happen only on tight turns (parking lots)?
Can you feel it in the steering wheel, or only hear it?
Those details usually separate “CV axle issue” from “steering/suspension issue” quickly.
Step 2: Inspect the most likely culprits first
A proper inspection typically includes:
CV boots (tears, grease sling, looseness)
Axle play and joint condition
Wheel bearing play/noise checks
Brake hardware security
Tie rods, ball joints, sway bar links (movement/play)
Tire rub points and liner clips
Step 3: Apply the correct repair
Common repair paths:
Replace the CV axle (most common fix when clicking is confirmed)
Repair/replace a torn boot (only if caught early and the joint isn’t damaged)
Replace worn steering/suspension joints (tie rods/ball joints/etc.)
Correct brake hardware issues (clips, shims, caliper hardware)
Fix rub/contact points (liners, clips, tire fitment)
Verify lug torque and wheel seating (if any wheel security concern exists)
To get it checked quickly, you can schedule here: Round Rock Auto Center or book directly online: Appointments. Rrac
Why Act Now
Clicking noises almost never “heal.” They either stay the same for a while or slowly worsen—until the worn part finally crosses the line into failure.
Here’s what can happen if you wait:
A worn CV joint can eventually fail and leave you unable to drive
A torn boot can turn a cheap early fix into a full axle replacement
Loose steering/suspension joints can create unsafe handling
Brake hardware issues can accelerate brake wear and create additional noise
Rubbing can damage tires or liners over time
If the question “Why Is My Car Clicking When Turning?” has popped up more than once, you’re in the sweet spot to fix it before it turns into a tow or a bigger repair.
Schedule a Click/Noise Inspection
Whether it’s a CV axle, wheel bearing, steering component, brake hardware, or tire rub, we’ll pinpoint the exact cause and recommend the correct fix—no guessing, no unnecessary parts.
Book an inspection with Round Rock Auto Center here: https://www.roundrockautocenter.com/appointments. Rrac
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