Slight knock in steering wheel

[boostfrk]

I've read about the front motor mount issue in the earlier Pilot's, and how that translated into a vibration through the steering wheel at higher speeds as well as at low speed/high load conditions.

I've just recently started feeling a very slight knock coming through the steering wheel on our '11 Touring with 28,000 miles. Feels similar to the knock we had on our Tahoe when the intermediate steering shaft was going bad, or similar to a tie rod end problem, although to a much lesser degree. I notice it most at lower speeds (under 20mph) and when turning. Again, the problem is pretty faint, but I'm afriad it's just going to get worse. I greatly appreciate the Honda "tightness", and this isn't helping that.

I can't imagine tie rods are already worn on a 17 month old car with 28,000 miles...

Anyone else had this problem? Should I just schedule an appt. with the dealer since it's still under warranty?

[RSQ Pilot]

2011's have had front wheel bearing and front axle issues....use forum search engine for "2011 front axle". May or may not be your issue but those are 2 things that the dealer can check.

[Snuffy]

Boostfrk: Can you provide an update on what your issue was diagnosed as? I'm getting similar symptoms on my 2010 Touring 2WD with 52K miles. Occasional slight (light) clunk in the steering at lower speeds, especially in parking lots or when backing out of my driveway. Can't seem to replicate it unless I'm moving. First noticed it after getting tires rotated, but I checked the lugs (all tight) and I don't think the two are related.

Seems to happen more often when turning left, but it's not consistent enough that I can take it in and say, "Here's what it's doing, and it happens every time I __________"

Thanks.

[mcmanut01]

I am having the exact same issue with our 2011 EX 4WD. I notice it too when I turn to the left when stopped or moving very slowly. Any others with the same problem? If so,did you get it fixed. We have 25K on our Pilot.

[Filipilot]

[QUOTE

I've just recently started feeling a very slight knock coming through the steering wheel on our '11 Touring with 28,000 miles. Feels similar to the knock we had on our Tahoe when the intermediate steering shaft was going bad, or similar to a tie rod end problem, although to a much lesser degree. I notice it most at lower speeds (under 20mph) and when turning. Again, the problem is pretty faint, but I'm afriad it's just going to get worse. I greatly appreciate the Honda "tightness", and this isn't helping that.
I can't imagine tie rods are already worn on a 17 month old car with 28,000 miles...[QUOTE]

I have a very faint knocking noise on my 2012 EXL since 1200 miles (I'm sure it's gonna get worse) when I took a really good look,I found out that its the left inner tie rod making the noise so don't be surprised if yours is bad already. I haven't taken mine in to the dealership yet,they might say; too faint, too new,can't duplicate the sound and all BS they could tell me. I'll wait till it gets louder thats if I still have the car.

[bman5150]

Subscribing...I too have noticed a very slight clunk in the steering column when turning at low speeds. Super faint and inconsistent but ive felt it a few times.

I've also verified that my a-arm bushing is completely in tact and not leaking, so that's not it. Reminds me of a bad tie rod or steering gear bushing...we'll see.

[Coorzman]

Anyone have any updates on this. I've got the same problem with my '11 Touring. I took it to the dealer and of course they didn't notice anything. It always when turning to the left. I notice it every morning when turning left into the parking lot at work. If I back out of a parking spot with the wheel turned to the right, stop and turn it to the left and accelerate, I notice it too.

I have to say, my family has had many honda's during the past 20 years and this pilot really lacks that "build quality" that's always been in honda's vehicles.

[Coorzman]

Well, I want to give a huge kudos to Colonial Honda in Chester Virginia! They worked with me and we found a way to consistently reproduce the issue. They couldn't get the knock to occur at first, so I went there and we did a road test. After explaining to them that I noticed it every morning when turning left into the parking lot at my work where the road dips down slightly into a concrete drainage ditch before going up into the parking lot. I told them that the knock seemed to follow the car rocking back and forth when making that transition. We found the exact terrain to duplicate the knock. So they wound up re-torqueing every suspension bolt in the front end and it's been solid so far.

I have to say I'm not at all impressed with my experience with Pearson Honda who supposedly did the same exact thing but didn't fix the issue. They also seem to have issues with calling customers back.

Anyways, rant over. I hope this helps someone with the same problem that can't seem to get the dealer to figure out what the problem is.

[mcmanut01]

Finally took my Pilot in for the AirBag Recall and had them check out the issue with steering. They quickly knew what the problem was. They advised that the steering rack needed to be replaced. They had the part in stock and replaced it under warranty.