When the car is parked or running at a very low speed and I turn the steering wheel I can hear a noise like a "clac". It's like if an iron wand hits something. It sounds as if it comes from the engine bay (wheels area obviously).
The noise doesn't always appear, it does it about once every 3 or 4 times that I turn the steering wheel completely, both to the right and to the left. It is totally random.

Any advice on what I should start checking at an indy shop?

 

It is most likely the strut mount has failed.

Get a flashlight out. Does one/both of your strut mounts look like this?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3853233

Have someone in your car turn the steering wheel while you're hunting for the noise.

The strut mounts are cheap but the consensus is that you should also replace the shocks and install re-enforcement plates.

 

H_C, thank you for your comment and for the link.

I have not had the opportunity to lift it to verify exactly where the noise comes from.
It's the next thing I'm going to do. And I will check the strut mounts too.

I was able to verify four more things to update the initial symptom in this thread:

1) the noise happens 1/4 turn before (approximately) the steering wheel reaches the end.
2) once the noise is heard, when returning the steering wheel to its original position, the same noise is heard again when passing through the same point. It's like I'm hitting something when I turn the steering wheel and when I come back, I hit it again at the same point.
3) this happens identically both by turning the steering wheel to the right or to the left
4) There is no squeal noise, just a little "knock", and there is not any kind of noise at all when I reach the end of the steering wheel (related to homokinetic).

 

I still stand by failed strut mounts.
Mine exhibited the exact symptoms as you. Grinding, sometimes a knock when turning 1/4 on standstill but no noise when turning at 25MPH (the noise reappears slower than 25MPH).

When you turn your steering wheel, a working strut mount allows for your strut to twist left/right.
When the mount fails, the tophat separates from the mount and strut. As a result, the entire top assembly turns instead of just the internal bearings.

 

I don't know if I have good or bad news but I have looked at the strut mounts (from the engine bay) and they look like new: clean, totally whole, with no cracks nor fluids present.
I will investigate where the noise comes from and I will let you know where is the fail by following your diagnosis