Finally got good video/sound of this

[davecerv]

Okay guys so my Sonic has been doing this for quite a while...
I have taken it to the dealer once. Dropped it off in the morning before work so they can examine it. So I come back eight hours later and told me that the car is fine and that it might just be a rock on the tire :blankface: and said that they lifted the car and everything looked good. So I said okay fine I guess. I park 80+ cars everyday and none have this sound not even the few sonics I park every now and then.

Anyways, sorry for the long story. This is the sound my sonic makes when I steer to the left at low speeds. It's not very loud but listen it's there.
Sonic left steer sound - YouTube

 

[Luv2xlr8]

I heard something like a drive shaft noise but then I can hear like rocks or gravel. Need to listen to it tomorrow because right now at the moment I'm on my IPad and the wife will kill me if I turn up the volume. Lol

 

[SonicSteve]

Lay down in the drivers floor of the car. If you follow the steering column down theres a u joint at the base inside the car. I have the same noise and i think that may be the source.

2012 Sonic LTZ HB White 6Au 1.8l

 

[davecerv]

I heard something like a drive shaft noise but then I can hear like rocks or gravel. Need to listen to it tomorrow because right now at the moment I'm on my IPad and the wife will kill me if I turn up the volume. Lol

Nope not rocks on gravel. This sound has been going on for a loong time. I noticed it at 1k miles. Only to the left. You have to listen closely it's background noise some noise is from my hand on the steering wheel. I'll try to post another video maybe.

 

[davecerv]

Here's another video. Here I do a right turn first where it's normal just sounds of my hand steering. Then left slow turns where theres a knocking sounding sound, listen carefully.
Sonic steering sound 2 - YouTube

 

[Blue hedgehog]

I hear 2 noises in the 2nd video. 1 is a clunking noise the other is a little harder to explain. Almost like a low frequency creek. Which one are you talking about?

 

[davecerv]

I hear 2 noises in the 2nd video. 1 is a clunking noise the other is a little harder to explain. Almost like a low frequency creek. Which one are you talking about?

Well really in person it's only one sound but the camera microphone picks up my hand moving on the steering wheel that's the louder sound. The sound that I'm talking about is not as loud and I suppose it's the one you're describing. You noticed how when I turn to the right you only hear my hand not the softer clunk/knock. This is kinda hard to explain.

 

[Breezybro]

If I'm hearing it correctly, almost sounds a little like tire on plastic?

Edit: it sounds like a gurgle.
Sent from my Galaxy Note 3 using Tapatalk.

2013 Chevy Sonic RS 1.4l 6M Black Granite Metallic

 

[Breezybro]

By the way, out of personal experience the technicians can get in the car and drive with you so you can point it out.


Sent from my Galaxy Note 3 using Tapatalk.

2013 Chevy Sonic RS 1.4l 6M Black Granite Metallic

 

[davecerv]

If I'm hearing it correctly, almost sounds a little like tire on plastic?

Edit: it sounds like a gurgle.
Sent from my Galaxy Note 3 using Tapatalk.

2013 Chevy Sonic RS 1.4l 6M Black Granite Metallic

Hmmm to me it sounds like when you lightly have your brakes down and you steer. I've done this at work with the cars I park and when I lightly have the breaks down and steering to put them in position I'm reminded of the sound my Sonic does when steering to the left.

(my day job is valet driver btw)

And I'm off from work this coming Friday so I'm going to the dealer real early even before they open so I can be right there.
I'll also be going for a tire rotation.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Hey Dave,

I see you are going to the dealership on Friday, please be sure to keep us posted! If you need any assistance while at the dealership, please do not hesitate to send us a private message.

Erica Tiffany
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[davecerv]

Yay so I went to the dealer and took a drive with the service consultant...aand the sounds my Sonic has been making came out clear! The little break creek and the steering wheel click. Coolant level normal. Only thing is that I'll have to drop it off on Monday before work. But that's my fault for not knowing to set up an appointment.
Tony Martinez (Service guy) from Knapp Chevrolet in Houston was nice and honest. I hope he's there on Monday to make sure things get taken care of. I'll be getting dropped off at work via their shuttle service

 

[davecerv]

So a stabilizer shaft link replacement was done on my sonic. On both sides.
The sound is still kinda there...sigh. At least the "repair" was free.
I will take it to another dealer sometime about this same issue at least it's a minor thing, right?

 

[davecerv]

Finally fixed steering

After taking my Sonic to the dealer four times about this issue...it's finally fixed!
Stabilizer links and upper strut mount replaced.
No more clicking sound when steering left
:banana::banana:

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

After taking my Sonic to the dealer four times about this issue...it's finally fixed!
Stabilizer links and upper strut mount replaced.
No more clicking sound when steering left
:banana::banana:

Hey davecerv,

We are happy to hear that your steering concern is finally fixed! Let us know if you have any further questions or concerns. Have a great day, and enjoy your Sonic .

Patsy G
Chevrolet Customer Care