Hi, hoping someone will have an idea

My XK started producing a cracking noise in the following scenario:
- I'm steering left at parking speed / standstill OR I'm beginning to steer right from left lock (no noise yet)
- I start to move (really slowly, let's say brake is 70% depressed where 0% is no brake/no gas speed and 100% is standstill at traffic lights)
- some tension is let go resulting in a crack that's coming from the front of the car

The condition happens intermittently (30-40% of the time), the further left the steering goes, the bigger the chance.
When going backwards it also happens more often.
It doesn't seem to happen when steering right / returning from right lock.
It also doesn't happen when the car is jacked, only when the car's weight is applied to suspension.

I think I can feel the crack on the steering wheel but it always gets me by surprise so the feeling might just be my reaction.

My indy has been at it for half a day and didn't find anything. Both me and the indy were able to reproduce the sound but couldn't find the culprit.
Said everything is in perfect order apart from banana control arms bushings having slight play (not warranting replacing them yet, not obviously related to the sounds).
They also ruled out mcpherson bearings which was my first suspicion.
Steering fluid is newly flushed and replaced.

Yeah, I know I shouldn't steer at a standstill but IRL parking spaces are sometimes microscopic. It's seems to be a new thing too.

Does anybody has some idea what might it be?

 

When turning, the sway bars and suspension at all corners are under pressure.
Therefore, so are the subframes, should those bushings be worn...

 

Our XK does that when you move slowly at full steering lock. There is no play in any of the bushes and it happens a lot more easily in winter when the tyres are cold. I've come to the conclusion that it is the tyres intermittently grabbing when being pushed forward at full lock. The tyres actually need replacing as they are rather old and virtually down to the wear bars so I think this is exacerbating the effect. I've checked the tracking and it's not due to that being out. It does not happen on gravel as the tyres slip easily without grabbing.

Richard

 

Need to test on gravel then.

I bought fresh new tyres this season, Conti SP7, they still have 6.5mm (as they leave the factory) at the fronts. They grip like hell, best tyres I've ever had but I'd be surprised if this was the culprit.

Will see though, thanks for the suggestion

 

Second possibility: Left wheel bearing....