'18 Rogue - Steering Wheel Noise and Sensation

[Altair 4]

So over the last month or so, I have noticed a bit of noise, I'd describe it as a quiet "click" when turning the steering wheel very slightly, either left or right, when at a stop. I could feel it through the steering wheel as well. I had the vehicle in for state inspection last week and the mechanic said they checked all the steering mechanism, gear and linkage, and found everything to be okay.

Now I notice that in heavy stop and go traffic, while making very small corrections to the wheel at very low speeds, I now hear a more pronounced click and get a more noticeable feeling in the wheel.

My daughter has been learning to drive and she doesn't have a good sense of when the steering wheel is almost at lock while turning. So there's been more than one occasion when she's taken to full turn and hit the stop hard.

Any others have a similar noise/sensation? Suggestions on what to check? Thanks!

Altair 4

[VStar650CL]

The strut bushings are a fairly common failure point on the gen2's. Put a stethoscope on the crowns of the struts, if the noise is very loud on one of them then you found your culprit.

[Altair 4]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll be popping the hood and giving those a check for noise.

[Rockhoundrob]

Try rocking the steering wheel back and forth just one inch from side to side ( with the engine off).
If you hear the clicking, then it might be the universal join in the steering column.
The U-joint is right neat the firewall.

[Altair 4]

Adding that to the list of things to check over the weekend, when the weather warms up.

[Rockhoundrob]

Just realized... you need to turn the key to the "ON" position to be able to move the steering wheel.

[VStar650CL]

Just realized... you need to turn the key to the "ON" position to be able to move the steering wheel.

The boost on the Rogue steering is electric and not electro-hydraulic, so ignition-on-engine-off will work fine.