Quick answer
If your car knocks when turning, the most common causes are worn CV joints, suspension bushes, ball joints, strut top mounts, track rod ends, anti-roll bar links, wheel bearings or loose wheel fittings.
A sharp repeated clicking on full lock often points towards a CV joint. A dull clunk over bumps or while changing direction often points towards suspension bushes, ball joints, anti-roll bar links or steering joints.
A repeated knock from the wheel area should not be ignored because steering, suspension and wheel faults can affect safety, tyre wear, handling and MOT results.
What I normally find when a car knocks while turning
In real workshop situations, the most common causes are outer CV joints, anti-roll bar links, suspension bushes, ball joints and track rod ends. The sound often changes depending on speed, steering angle and whether the suspension is loaded.
A clicking noise on full lock usually makes me think about a CV joint, especially if there is grease around the driveshaft boot. A heavier clunk often points towards suspension or steering components. If the noise started after tyre work, a pothole or a kerb strike, I would inspect the wheel, tyre and suspension immediately.
The biggest safety concern is a knock that gets worse quickly, affects steering feel, appears after recent repair work, or comes with vibration and pulling. Those symptoms need checking quickly.
Common causes of knocking when turning
Outer CV joint wear
Often causes clicking or knocking on full lock, especially while accelerating slowly in a car park.
Suspension bushes
Worn bushes can knock as the car changes direction, brakes, turns or loads one side.
Ball joint wear
May cause clunks, loose steering feel, uneven tyre wear or MOT failure if excessive play is found.
Strut top mount
Can pop, creak, twang or knock as the steering turns.
Top mount MOT guide →Track rod end wear
Can cause knocking, steering play, poor alignment or uneven tyre wear.
Track rod end guide →Anti-roll bar link
Often knocks over bumps and can sound worse while turning on uneven roads.
Anti-roll bar link guide →Wheel bearing issue
Usually causes humming or rumbling, but turning can change the load and change the noise.
Wheel bearing MOT guide →Loose wheel fitting
A loose wheel, damaged nut, missing bolt or poor fitting can be dangerous and needs urgent checking.
Tyre scrub or wheel damage
Low-speed tyre scrub can sound odd, but it should not be a heavy metallic knock.
Steering wheel shake guide →Knocking noise on full lock
A knocking or clicking noise on full lock often points towards an outer CV joint, especially on front-wheel-drive cars. It may be louder when pulling out of a parking space, turning tightly at low speed or accelerating with the steering fully turned.
A split CV boot is a strong clue. Once grease escapes and dirt gets in, the joint can wear quickly.
- ✓Noise is worse when accelerating while turning.
- ✓Repeated clicking or knocking comes from one front corner.
- ✓There is grease around the wheel, driveshaft or inner arch.
- ✓The noise is most obvious in car parks or tight manoeuvres.
Low-speed knocking when parking or manoeuvring
Low-speed knocks often show up when the suspension and steering are loaded sharply.
Knock over bumps
Often points towards anti-roll bar links, bushes, ball joints, suspension arms or strut mounts.
Knock while steering stationary
Can suggest a strut top mount, steering rack, track rod end or power steering-related issue.
Knock when braking and turning
Can point towards suspension arm movement, worn bushes, loose brake parts or wheel fitting issues.
Knock after hitting a pothole
Have the wheel, tyre, suspension and steering checked for impact damage.
Knocking when turning left or right
The direction of the turn can help identify which side is being loaded. Turning left often loads the right side of the car, while turning right often loads the left side.
That said, noise can travel through the body, subframe and suspension, so the source is not always obvious from the driver’s seat. A road test and ramp inspection is usually the best way to confirm the fault.
If the knocking changes depending on steering direction, speed, bumps or braking, tell the garage exactly when it happens. That makes diagnosis quicker.
Knocking after pothole or kerb impact
A pothole or kerb strike can damage more than the tyre. It can bend a wheel, damage a lower arm, split a bush, disturb alignment, stress a bearing or create a tyre bulge.
Tyre bulge
A sidewall bulge after impact means the tyre may be structurally damaged.
Tyre bulge guide →Bent wheel
A slightly bent wheel can knock, wobble or vibrate at speed even if it holds air.
Steering shake guide →Lower arm damage
Lower arms and bushes can bend, split or develop play after a heavy impact.
Lower arm MOT guide →Alignment knocked out
If the steering wheel sits off-centre or the car pulls, alignment may be affected.
Wheel alignment guide →Wheel bearing noise
A bearing can become noisy after impact, especially if humming grows with speed.
Wheel bearing MOT guide →Heavy knock after impact
A loud metallic knock after impact should be inspected before regular driving.
Knocking after tyre, brake or suspension work
A new knocking noise after work has been done should be checked quickly. Do not assume it is normal just because parts were recently replaced.
After tyre replacement
Check wheel nuts, wheel seating, tyre size and whether the wheel is fouling anything.
After brake work
Loose caliper bolts, pads, clips or shields can knock or rattle when turning or braking.
After suspension repair
Check all bolts are tightened correctly and the alignment has been checked where needed.
If the knock started straight after wheel, tyre, brake or suspension work, get it checked before regular driving. A loose wheel or loose suspension fitting is dangerous.
What to check first
1. Notice when it happens
Check whether it happens on full lock, gentle turns, bumps, braking or acceleration.
2. Identify the corner
Try to work out whether it comes from the left, right, front or rear.
3. Look for CV boot grease
Grease around the wheel, driveshaft or inner arch can suggest a split CV boot.
4. Check tyres and wheels
Look for uneven wear, bulges, loose fittings, damaged wheels or vibration.
5. Check steering feel
Loose, vague, heavy or uneven steering should be inspected before regular driving.
6. Book a proper inspection
Arrange a steering, suspension and wheel check if the noise repeats or worsens.
Can knocking when turning affect MOT?
Yes. The knocking itself is only a symptom, but the cause may be an MOT issue. Worn suspension joints, excessive play, broken springs, insecure mountings, loose steering parts, wheel bearing play or unsafe wheel fittings can all cause MOT problems.
If the car is already knocking before the MOT, it is better to inspect it before test day rather than hoping the tester does not find the fault.
Can you drive with a knocking noise when turning?
If the noise is occasional and light, the car may still drive, but it should be checked soon. Steering and suspension noises often worsen over time, especially if caused by play in a joint or damaged rubber boot.
Avoid driving if the steering feels loose, the car pulls strongly, the noise is loud, the wheel area feels unstable, or the car has recently hit a pothole hard.
- !The steering wheel feels loose or unpredictable.
- !The knock is heavy, metallic or getting worse quickly.
- !The noise started after wheel or tyre work.
- !The car pulls hard to one side.
- !You suspect a loose wheel or damaged suspension part.
Best mechanic-style advice
- ✓A repeated clicking on full lock often points towards a CV joint.
- ✓A dull clunk over bumps often points towards bushes, links, joints or mounts.
- ✓If the knock started after a pothole, check tyre, wheel, lower arm and alignment.
- ✓If the knock started after wheel work, check wheel fittings urgently.
- ✓Do not ignore knocking with steering looseness, pulling or vibration.
- ✓Do not guess parts from sound alone; road test and ramp inspection matter.
- ✓Get it inspected before MOT day if the noise is already noticeable.
Related steering, suspension and wheel guides
Car Clicking Noise When Turning
Useful if the noise sounds more like repeated clicking than a dull knock.
Read guide →Why Does My Steering Wheel Shake?
Vibration can come from tyres, wheels, bearings, brakes or suspension.
Read guide →Car Shakes At High Speed
High-speed shake often relates to wheel balance, tyres, hubs or suspension.
Read guide →Car Pulling To One Side Causes
Pulling can point to tyres, brakes, alignment, steering or suspension faults.
Read guide →Wheel Bearing Noise When Speeding Up
Humming or rumbling that changes with speed may be bearing-related.
Read guide →Can Wheel Alignment Fail MOT?
Tracking, steering angle, tyre wear and MOT-related alignment advice.
Read guide →Can Suspension Fail MOT?
Broken springs, worn bushes, shocks, arms and joints.
Suspension MOT guide →Can Strut Top Mount Fail MOT?
Top mount knocking, creaking and steering-related symptoms.
Top mount guide →Can Ball Joint Fail MOT?
Ball joint play, knocking and steering safety issues.
Ball joint guide →Can Lower Arm Fail MOT?
Lower arm, bush and suspension movement MOT advice.
Lower arm guide →Power Steering Warning Light Meaning
Useful if steering feels heavy, jerky or assisted steering has failed.
Read guide →Diagnostic App
Use the diagnostic app to narrow down common symptoms.
Open diagnostic app →Frequently asked questions
Why does my car knock when turning left?
It may be a loaded suspension, CV joint, steering or wheel component on one side. The direction can help narrow it down, but noise can travel.
Why does it knock on full lock?
Full-lock knocking often points towards CV joint wear, especially if it clicks repeatedly while moving slowly.
Can suspension bushes knock?
Yes. Worn bushes can knock as the suspension moves and loads shift during cornering or braking.
Is a knocking noise dangerous?
It can be. Steering, suspension and wheel faults should be inspected if the noise repeats, worsens or affects handling.
Can wheel bearings knock when turning?
Wheel bearings more often hum or rumble, but turning can change the sound if a bearing is worn.
Should I get it checked before MOT?
Yes. Knocking can point to MOT-relevant steering, suspension or wheel defects.
Can a loose wheel cause knocking?
Yes. If the noise started after tyre or wheel work, check wheel fittings urgently.
What is the best first step?
Note when the noise happens, check for obvious wheel or tyre issues, then arrange a steering and suspension inspection.