Groaning steering

[craig2105]

Advice needed please, chaps.

When I come off right lock, sometimes - not every time - the steering emits a bit of a groan. It seems to be coming from the column, and I'd say it's inside the cabin rather than in the engine bay or underneath. I guess there's some kind of a steering column bush in there somewhere - is it the sort of thing that needs a bit of lubrication or is it a replacement job? Or is it something else?

Thanks for the wisdom,

Craig

 

[Riverside]

They all do that to some degree when the power steering pump is under load (low speed parking etc). Most just live with it, I do []

 

[craig2105]

But when people outside the car can hear it, is that OK? Embarrassing in car parks...!

 

[Hilux]

Top strut bearing?

 

[Riverside]

ORIGINAL: craig2105

But when people outside the car can hear it, is that OK? Embarrassing in car parks...!

Yes it can be embarrasing, imagine how embarassing it would have been when our cars were new []

I researched the problem years ago when I git my first 944, IIRC I read on rennlist or somewhere that it was resonance in the power steering pipes or something.

 

[jasonp]

hiya craig, had a whining/groaning from my s2, down to the specialist i went and alt belt was tightened but at parking and very low speed i still get a whine, yes it can be a tad embarrasing! but a small price to pay re enjoyment also have you noticed if the squeal occurs when your using your right foot? whilst parking, i have no mechanical skills whatsoever as i take every glitch to local specialist but i think you will recieve other poss scenarios/help through other forum users, regards jason p

 

[sawood12]

Replace your PAS fluid and the groaning will disappear. They all do that!! It's not a problem as such but fresh fluid will work if the noise bothers you..

 

[Diver944]

If fresh PAS fluid doesn't improve it (and it probably will) then you can also replace/ rebuild the seals in the pump, and after that you can do the same thing to the steering rack itself.

These three items escalate in terms of cost so lets hope fresh fluid works for you []

 

[Neil Haughey]

Have a look at your PAS fluid reservoir next time this happens and check if you see the fluid foaming up. If you do then you have a leak somewhere. Both my old Saab 9-5 and the S2 have had PAS leaks caused by a rusty pipe, so that's another possibility to add to your list.

 

[Alpine]

I was told at my last service that my steering rack is leaking, and that next year I'll probably need a new one at a cost of £650. Does that sound about right, or can they be refurbished?

 

[craig2105]

Thanks chaps. I'll try the PAS fluid. Now where's my manual?

 

[DavidL]

ORIGINAL: Alpine

I was told at my last service that my steering rack is leaking, and that next year I'll probably need a new one at a cost of £650. Does that sound about right, or can they be refurbished?

I had a refurbed one from ZF as it was leaking like a sieve. It cost something along those lines fitted.

 

[Hilux]

Is it definitely the PAS?

Worn bushes, ball joints, steering column universal joints etc can also be a cause.

 

[ChasR]

Any idea what PAS fluid the '44 needs?

 

[craig2105]

ORIGINAL: Hilux

Is it definitely the PAS?

Seems to be. There aren't any other unusual noises from the rack or linkages as far as I can tell. It really does sound like it's coming from the column itself.

 

[Hilux]

It really does sound like it's coming from the column itself.

Top or bottom column bearing or the UJ

Could be the UJ between the exhaust (its in a very harsh environment) Dunno if the bearings/bushes are sealed but wd40/oil might help or undo the column to rack and see if its the column thats stiff?

 

[sawood12]

I think that your first step should be a fluid change. This is a very common symptom on 944's and sometimes a fluid change solves it (as it has with mine), but sometimes it doesn't and people can live with it indefinitely. If the fluid change doesn't do the trick then it might be worth checking out all the linkages and bushes just to be sure. But a fluid change is an easy and cheap job.