Clunking sound from wheel well in the cold

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Dec 22, 2020 | 04:39 AM
  #1  
After my car's been sitting out in the cold (around or below freezing) for a number of hours or occasionally overnight, when I turn the wheel all the way as I'm pulling out of a parking space, I hear a clunking noise coming from the front wheel well. I think it's from the outside wheel (i.e. left wheel well when turning right). It's not super loud but just enough to hear it and take note of the noise. I don't think it's anything serious as once the car warms up, I do not hear it when the wheel is turned all the way again. Do any of you know if this is common or is something I should worry about? MY car's a 2017 V6S.
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Dec 22, 2020 | 04:46 AM
  #2  
Quote: After my car's been sitting out in the cold (around or below freezing) for a number of hours or occasionally overnight, when I turn the wheel all the way as I'm pulling out of a parking space, I hear a clunking noise coming from the front wheel well. I think it's from the outside wheel (i.e. left wheel well when turning right). It's not super loud but just enough to hear it and take note of the noise. I don't think it's anything serious as once the car warms up, I do not hear it when the wheel is turned all the way again. Do any of you know if this is common or is something I should worry about? MY car's a 2017 V6S.
Probably a loose bolt on one of the diagonal cross braces at the top of the engine compartment near the firewall.
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Dec 22, 2020 | 07:17 AM
  #3  
I believe we’ve discussed the possibility of one the front tires skipping a bit on slow, hard turns. Cold tires might exacerbate it.
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Dec 22, 2020 | 01:59 PM
  #4  
I had a similar issue. I retorqued all of the front suspension bits and it disappeared. Hopefully this is all it is.
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Dec 22, 2020 | 04:54 PM
  #5  
This has happened on every car that I've owned running summer tires in the winter. It was especially bad on the CTS-V. Perfectly normal noise from the tires not being happy in the cold.
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Dec 22, 2020 | 07:53 PM
  #6  
Its called the ackerman effect, most prevalent on summer tires in cold weather, the tire gets hard and that knocking is your tires skipping. Awd vehicles have it worst. Its also known as acorning. Don't tear your car apart please!!! Its a big issue with panamera 4, I had to buy different tires to fix it. I have not experienced it with the f type yet.
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Dec 22, 2020 | 07:55 PM
  #7  
+1
Summer tires in freezing temps don't grip well. I don't think the clunking is the tires - I think the traction control is braking the wheel or shifting around power given lack of grip. And you hear the mechanicals clunk while they do that. Once you start driving and tire warms up it seems to stop
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Dec 22, 2020 | 08:01 PM
  #8  
Quote: +1
Summer tires in freezing temps don't grip well. I don't think the clunking is the tires - I think the traction control is braking the wheel or shifting around power given lack of grip. And you hear the mechanicals clunk while they do that. Once you start driving and tire warms up it seems to stop
It is the tires partially...less noticeable with as or winter tires. Ackerman effect, also known as acorning. Slow parking lot manuvers usually make it noticeable. Regular driving does not. The wheels are turning at different speeds common with awd.

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Dec 22, 2020 | 08:12 PM
  #9  
Although I now recall a few folks having a bolt in need of tightening on one of the diagonal struts (top of the engine compartment, near the windshield.)
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Dec 23, 2020 | 04:14 PM
  #10  
Thank you all for your insight.
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