A clicking or abnormal noise when a car turns is usually related to wear or malfunction of steering system components. Common causes include excessive play due to aging of the tie rod end, which requires replacing the tie rod end and performing a four-wheel alignment; oil leakage from the steering gear dust boot, which requires replacement or temporary grease application; excessive gear clearance in the steering gear, which produces noticeable abnormal noise and requires replacement of the assembly. For mechanically-assisted hydraulic power steering models, if the belt is improperly tensioned or aged, adjusting or replacing the belt can resolve the noise. Additionally, friction between the steering column and floor mat can be addressed by lubrication; a broken or interfering clockspring requires inspecting the connector or replacing the clockspring. If the abnormal noise is accompanied by increased steering effort, it may be due to contaminated or insufficient power steering fluid, and the same specification fluid should be replaced or replenished promptly. After ruling out simple issues, a professional technician should use a stethoscope to locate the noise source to avoid unnecessary disassembly. Regular maintenance of the steering system (e.g., inspecting tie rod ends every 60,000 kilometres, replacing power steering fluid every 2 years) can prevent abnormal noises.
