I get a very loud clicking sound when turning. It is coming from the drivers side front wheel. It happens when I turn right and not when I turn left. I replaced the ball joints a couple years back with cheap ball joints off ebay... Maybe a mistake? Would the ball joints make a clicking sound? Could it be the steering rack. It seem to happen after the fluid drained out from the result of a bad hose. A couple weeks later I get the clicking sound... it did run dry a bit when the fluid drained.

Any thots?

 

Not sure about a ball joint but a failing CV joint would. Does it happen when you turn the wheel full lock but are stationary?


Also if the CV boot has split you may be able to see on the inside of your wheel black grease/sludge.

 

There are no CV boots on the XJS. I'm thinking that maybe you have a loose bearing and something is hitting when you turn.
Check all wheels, since sometimes the sound may transfer from the point of origin.

 

I had a car once, standard clamp on wheel weights would tap on the upper control arm in turns. Had to use stick on weights.
Check wheel weights if any, for signs of rubbing and also check wheel bearing tightness.

 

Could it be ball joints? I replaced them a couple years ago with the crappy 80 for four of them deal on ebay... Also, the power steering did run out of fluid and it was run completely dry for a few miles. It was a bout a month after I fixed the issue (bad hose) that I started getting this clicking, only when steering right. Could be the steering rack?

 

update: it was not the ball joint after all. it was the wheel bearing not being torqued tight enough. the small amount of play was causing it to click. I inspected them and they look fine. just tightening them has completely eliminated the problem, including my sticking brake issue.

:P