djdube525

We live in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and quite often drive up in the hills. I've noticed as of late, when going up hill, and turning on a switchback, a "ticking" sound that is aligned with the speed of the car (slower ticking at slower speeds, faster at faster speeds). The ticking will hang around for a little bit until the car is going in a straight line, and then immediately come back if entering another turn. If I let up on the gas completely, the ticking immediately stops. If I coast downhill, no ticking whether the steering wheel is slightly turned or not. The ticking will occur very rarely on flat surface going straight or turns, but if the turn starts to go up hill, it will start up again.

The vehicle has a little over 71K miles - oil & filters regularly replaced, and I did the plugs right at 70K. No codes what so ever.

Thoughts/suggestion?

rdA4WtQ5

Had a very similar situation. Turned out to be pebbles(s) stuck in the tire tread. Pop them out with a screw driver. Winter tires are worst for this because of the softer rubber and more open tread. I had half worn out Michelin Xice2’s when it happened to me.

Avant4Adam

Possible it’s engine knocking under load? What octane gas do you normally fill it with? (The engine should adjust timing for lower octane, but possible it could still knock or ping under load)

djdube525

I always grab the highest available octane. Typically 92 (were at elevation, I realize in other states with lower elevation, higher octanes are available)

djdube525

I can double check, but would expect to hear the ticking always regardless of whether foot is on the gas or not.

Q5-3.0

Add CV Joints to the list of possibilities.

djdube525

Yeah - this is actually one of my "fears" and was secretly hoping someone would suggest something other than CV Joint/Axle.

Was looking through various threads last night, looks like the V6 axle is a bit more reasonably priced and beefier... One or two of the threads described a CV joint/boot that looked fine (no tears), but replacing the axle solved their issue. Was curious if there was an easy way to confirm/diagnose if it is a CV joint related issue.

djdube525

Following up: It is the CV joints... two new axles are in my future.