Creaking Steering

[dicky20014 4]

when I turn, my steering is creaking loudly and feels stiffer to turn, I have recently changed the CV joints and strut top bearings so know it is not these, could it be the steering rack? are these expensive? any help would be appriciated, thanks.

 

( car is an E reg 205 1.9 gti if that makes any difference, no power steering)

[Phil H 16]

droplink ball joint where it meets shock absorber has worn out?

[Grahamrally 0]

If the steering has got substantially heavier then check a few easy things before investigating the rack. Check the universal-joint on the steering column in the engine bay, these have a habit of stiffening if they aren't kept lubricated, (a bit of cv grease does the trick), check all the ball joints have grease in them and the boots haven't split. If that doesn't cure it, get it on a ramp/jack it up with front wheels in the air and slowly move the steering from lock to lock and see if you can pin-point the noise by adding grease to parts as you go.

 

Graham

[philfingers 5]

bolts that hold the rear of the subframe to the shell. Sometimes work loose, maybe could creak?

[nick 3]

As mr hills says, droplink joints. on mine, you could feel the droplink creak when if you held onto it while someone wiggled the s/wheel about. If you do a search this has come up a few times, buy a can of chain lube (for bikes) push the straw under the rubber boot and fill it with lube, you don't even need to take the wheels off!

 

Nick

Edited August 23, 2007 by nick

[dicky20014 4]

thanks for the replies, managed to find the cause, it was the drop link arm, took it off and re - greased the ball joint, works fine now. Glad it wasnt the steering rack!