Tapping under foot during cornering.

[jpierro79]

I have been experiencing this tapping feeling under my feet more noticable during sweeping rights mph ranging 20 to 40 mph. The harder I take the turn the harder the tap. There are no rocks in my tires and no bad tires on the car they have been rotated noise still persists. I had the wheel off and no issues with rotors with any type of defective crack in the rotor that might be hitting the pads. Its going back for warranty work tomorrow its either the bearing race has a dimple in it or there is an issue with the axle. Either way I am not taking it apart and voiding my warranty. I am leaning towards axle because I really have only heard bearings howl or grind during cornering. Funny though the weight transfer to the side would indicate bearing though.

 

[Aldakoopa]

Are you sure it's not the traction control or stability control (whichever one it is...)? Taking corners at a faster pace means that the tires on the outside of the corner will have the brake applied to them to prevent loss of control. Not too sure why it would cause a tapping, unless it works the brakes sort of like anti-lock when the brakes fluctuate...

 

[laborsmith]

Sounds like stability control but why it would kick in when going that slow is confusing. Maybe its no so sweeping a turn.

Laborsmith

 

[Danny5]

Plastic endlinks? One member has mentioned he has cracked them more than once...

 

[laborsmith]

Could be but he says it happens when taking a sweeping curve at speed. He is describing the effects of Active Handling but at a speed that generally does not get Active Handling engaged. But could a broken or flexing endlink do that?

Laborsmith

 

[jpierro79]

I am not on the brakes at all and I am not turning hard to hear the noise. Its on the left side of the vehicle and I have activated the stability control before and the light on the dash will flash if its activated. This is most certainly not stability control. As far as end links they are not broken it is a rotational noise because the faster you go the faster the tap. This would indicate most likely flat spot in bearing. I am also thinking possible bad abs ring but I would have thought that it would ruin the sensor by now. I did not look to see if there was an abs ring on the axle or if it is in the bearing.

I much appreciate all of the responses. It keeps the brain moving to come up with the right answer.

 

[laborsmith]

Active Handling engages w/o driver using the brake. Has reduced the number of single car crashes considerably.

Laborsmith

 

[jpierro79]

Active Handling engages w/o driver using the brake. Has reduced the number of single car crashes considerably.

Laborsmith

I wish I could say for sure that was it but its consistent each time the spot comes around on the rotation of the drive train on that side. Stabilitrac straightens the vehicle out changing the attitude and position of the car and I have not experienced any such feeling. Nor has the indicator on the dash come on which does work because I just activated it the other day in the rain thanks to some lunatic.

 

[SSpeckerwood]

the indicator on the dash, from my experience, only comes on when the wheel slips like under power.

 

[jpierro79]

the indicator on the dash, from my experience, only comes on when the wheel slips like under power.

Abs engagement doesn't set off the light as far as I have noticed which I find is very sensitive. When the my car actually slide a little and it corrected itself if I remember correctly the light did come and its a totally different feel for sure. It literally throws your car straight. I wouldn't have slid that bad either. It is also sensitive. I could be wrong about the light I will look into it further. Went to my girlfriends sonic owners manual and it says any time the stabilitrak or traction control is activated the light will come on. Of course doesn't there isn't something wrong with it but I don't think its that complicated of an issue. In my time working at a shop I like the KISS method.

Keep
It
Simple
Stupid

For me its gotten me further with diagnostic work than most would imagine. Starting always with basics and if I have ever really had to get in depth then I brake out the ohm meters start reading freeze frames ect ect ect.

 

[jpierro79]

Plastic endlinks? One member has mentioned he has cracked them more than once...

I just got a call and they said they are going to start there and I have a huge feeling that they are wrong. Sway bar links make noise on bumps not the smooth brand new paved roads. I probably should have mentioned that on smoother roads with less road noise its more noticeable. Less road noise and the tapping is not disguised. The faster you go the faster the tap. Its consistent like a flat spot would be on a tire. Only thing is I rotated the tires and the noise was still in the same spot. If it was a tire issue it would have moved with the tire.

EDIT I called them back and said I felt they might be going in the wrong direction. I couldn't emphasize the part about rotational drivetrain issue. Sway bar links don't rotate. UGH I steer them in one direction and they go to another planet.

 

[LS1notFOUND]

I have a similar issue that comes and goes, more noticeable after hard corning but occurs in a strait line just moving around at 55. Showed up after I dropped the clutch and accelerated briskly barking the tires pretty good on a rainy day getting into traffic. after my road trip am going to have it looked at. was a slip then quick grip situation followed by abs engagment.

In reverse i swear i hear instead of feel the same noise more pronounced. ABS and STABILITY are more of a rapid buzz than a slow consistant tap Ive always felt.

 

[jpierro79]

I have a similar issue that comes and goes, more noticeable after hard corning but occurs in a strait line just moving around at 55. Showed up after I dropped the clutch and accelerated briskly barking the tires pretty good on a rainy day getting into traffic. after my road trip am going to have it looked at. was a slip then quick grip situation followed by abs engagment.

In reverse i swear i hear instead of feel the same noise more pronounced. ABS and STABILITY are more of a rapid buzz than a slow consistant tap Ive always felt.

Begining to wonder if it is a chipped differential tooth on mine but it makes no sense I dont abuse it. I had it in the air on the lift at work after I refused to have them put sway bar links in and when only the right wheel spins with the wheel turned to the right slight if i hold the left axle I get an ominous mild clunk each time the right side makes a full turn. Probably an indication of a chipped spider gear in the differential.I took it back for a tire pull when it had 400 miles on it. Some mope was beating my car. Mind I was still stuck with !@#$TY tires. I also hear it in the differential using a stethiscope.

 

[jmdj01]

Having a similar problem with our Sonic. When making a sharp turn like going into a parking space or turning into our driveway we hear and feel a thump coming from the front end. Took it to the dealer yesterday and they said the front sway bar has too much end play. They have to order the parts and will do the repair next week. I will keep you guys posted on the results.

 

[LS1notFOUND]

Will be going on a 11+hour trip tomorrow so that should give me time to figure it out all I need to know about it.

 

[jpierro79]

So problem solved found a rock stuck in the caliper on the right side so odd though that it never made scraping noise. I know I bought an auto but the dealer just got a hatch in the same color. Turbo no less and six speed. Seriously thinking about getting it. All I ever used to drive was stick now I cant stand the auto. Talked to the sales rep I used last time and he has been great since the purchase of My girlfriends sonic and mine and we may just see if we can work something out.