Rattle/knocking coming from steering column/dash, what could it be?

[Andy_V35Sky_350GT]

I noticed last week when I had the stereo off that there was a weird knocking/rattle coming from around the steering wheel column area whenvever I went over a pretty decent sized bump/pot hole. Its not tingy, but a quite a deep 'knock' kind of sound. There doesn't appear to be anything wrong with the steering wheel column and everything feels rather tight, so I'm thinking its probably internal. Does anyone have any idea as to what it could be? I'm taking it in for a service in about 2 weeks so I'll get them to look into it then, but just curious as to if it could possibly be more serious then what I think (could just be a lose panel?)

Its the one pain in the *** thing about G35's, they feel like they've been hand crafted in some old guys garage.

[smockers83]

Something could be loose somewhere in the steering from all those bumps. I had another vehicle start making that noise as well, don't know what was wrong, just had it fixed.

And I don't know what it is about your pictures, but your G, sorry GT, always looks short to me.

[Jacko3]

Andy:

Just know that you are not the only one who hears unique sounds in their G-35. You may want to read my thread on the sound I am hearing in mine as well! I agree totally with "Its the one pain in the *** thing about G35's, they feel like they've been hand crafted in some old guys garage"

zerothread/320319

I think the G-35 was designed to be rough, unrefined, and untamed. I am not really sure. Very hard to find anyone driving their G-35 gently and sanely.

Do you mean tight as in "its all good" or tight as in "getting tight"? If it is getting tight then check power steering pump. Also take a good look at your control arm and CV joints. I am not too sure on this one.

[cweberj30t]

Check the panel underneath the steering column. There might be a loose nut rattling around in there. Here are pictures of the panel:



There are 2 screws to remove, one under the hood release and the other by the cigarette lighter.

[J-Owner]

Are you sure it isn't your keys in the ignition banging up against the dash???? Could be something simple.

OR it could be the cover over the instrument panel that moves when you adjust the sterring wheel. That damn thing always makes noise.

Other places that commonly rattle in the dash are:

- the piece of trim over the clock area with the temp controls. Can be removed and felt applied along the edges to dull noise.

- The A/C vent to the left of the sterring wheel. The small cover that touches the door sometimes makes a rattle. I stuffed a folded piece of paper in between the vent and the trim piece (colored black with a sharpie to blend in with the interior - yes I know very ghetto chic) to stop the rattle.

- On the passenger side the flip up cover where I have the DVD to my Nav has a bit of looseness to it and bounced against the dash and makes a noise when going ober bumps.

That is about all of the problems I have encountered with the dash itself.

I have no idea if that helps but that is my $0.02 anyway.

[Andy_V35Sky_350GT]

Hehe, I'm not sure, I generally use a wide angle lens for most of my car pics so it could have something to do with that, can sometimes give false sense of perspective.

Definately not the keys, I had thought it might have been the cigarette lighter, but I dont think so. Definately going to check that panel.

I think little rattles are just something you gotta get used to in G's.