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Ever since I let the dealer replace the front lower control arm bushings (on both sides) the HCH1 has been making a clunking/clicking noise when the steering returns to the center from a left turn. It isn't the CV joints as the car can go round and round in any diameter circle to the left without making a sound. Turning to the left is silent too (that is, turning the steering wheel to turn the wheels left). Right turns don't make this noise either. It is only when I release the wheel and it straightens coming out of a left turn that the sound occurs.

I wasn't very happy with the dealer and don't really want to go back there if I can avoid it. Is there anything obvious that I should check/tighten to get rid of this sort of noise?

Thanks.

Hard to say, but I have a couple of ideas. First, they may have bent a brake backing plate slightly enough to cause it to strike something. Secondly, there is usually a small universal joint near the steering rack-an-pinion. They may have bent something far enough to strike this joint. You might also check the wheel nuts and make sure they are tight.

If you can cause the sound while the car is at rest, I'd suggest you find a large piece of cardboard to lie on, and have a friend operate the steering. You can look around underneath with a flashlight and perhaps spot the problem.

I know you hate the dealer, and I don't like them much either, but I think you have to take it back to them. You have given them money and they owe you a competent repair. If they did something to cause the problem, then they owe you a fix. Sounds like it is a Honda dealer, so you have some recourse if they don't make it right. You can call Honda customer service and make a formal complaint. If it comes to that, that step will put some additional pressure on them.

Before you go in, get your story straight and don't equivocate. If the sound was not there before they worked on the car - as it seems - then don't let them talk you into additional work. Leave and lodge your complaint with Honda!

I know you hate the dealer, and I don't like them much either, but I think you have to take it back to them. You have given them money and they owe you a competent repair.

Took your advice and brought the car in. The dealer service said that they lubed the steering column and rack and pinion. As far as I can tell, that got rid of the sound. Not being cynical (much), but if the real problem was "we forgot to tighten a bolt on the left side of the suspension last time" the work order would likely still say something like this. I mean, why would the lubrication on those parts fail immediately after they worked on other parts of the suspension? In any case, they seem to have fixed whatever it was, and it didn't cost me anything other than not being able to use the car for a day.

Next time it has to go to a dealer it will be a different one though.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Glad you were able to get it resolved. I'm also pretty cynical about repair shops, including dealers. I've spotted a couple of items on my used Insight 1 that the dealer shortcut or did wrong before I bought it. Fortunately, nothing very serious.