Question: Steering problem after auto-x
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,030
Likes: 6
From: Maryland
Question: Steering problem after auto-x
Hi,
After my last auto-x, the steering is making a nasty sound when I turn it left more than 1/2 way or turn full right. It sounds like the nashing of teeth.
Since the steering seems to work ok (no abnormal sounds) if you don't turn more than 1/2 way, can I assume this is the STEERING GEAR? As the power steering pump, U-joints, and shafts would all have to work for me to have steering at the lower angles (less than 1/2 way)?
After my last auto-x, the steering is making a nasty sound when I turn it left more than 1/2 way or turn full right. It sounds like the nashing of teeth.
Since the steering seems to work ok (no abnormal sounds) if you don't turn more than 1/2 way, can I assume this is the STEERING GEAR? As the power steering pump, U-joints, and shafts would all have to work for me to have steering at the lower angles (less than 1/2 way)?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 124
From: Reno/Sparks Nevada
Re: Question: Steering problem after auto-x (sothpaw2)
I was working on a friends car and took it for a road test. I was using the steering wheel a lot during the road test and at higher than normal speeds. I noticed that his steering was making a lot of noise. I flushed out his power steering fluid and the noise went away. This was an '85 and am sure he had never had the fluid flushed. Seems to work ok now.
Art
Art
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 0
From: OH
Re: Question: Steering problem after auto-x (sothpaw2)
Also might want to go check your alignment. I got that same noise after a really agressive alignment, was tire rub but sounded just like metal to metal, but was at almost full turning to the right. If you hadn't alignmented recently it might have gotten loose, and the stress of the AutoX pushed it way out of alignment? Just an idea, and if your going to AutoX again its a good idea to get a good alignment anyways.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,030
Likes: 6
From: Maryland
Re: Question: Steering problem after auto-x (MrRenoman)
I thought of the fluid being old and burned out--this noise started last season at the end of the last auto-x. So before this season, I had the fluid changed. The sound is getting worse now in that it happens on left turns that are not too extreme.
Alignment--yes, it's been a while. But I can see if I turn the wheel left slightly, that while the noise is happening, the wheel is nowhere close to the housing; the wheel is not turned all the way but only half it's full travel.
Could the power steering pump have failed due to the old fluid??
Alignment--yes, it's been a while. But I can see if I turn the wheel left slightly, that while the noise is happening, the wheel is nowhere close to the housing; the wheel is not turned all the way but only half it's full travel.
Could the power steering pump have failed due to the old fluid??
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
Re: Question: Steering problem after auto-x (sothpaw2)
My PS high pressure line ruptured during a road coarse run. I replaced the line with SS braided and now the pump sounds like it has gravel in it.....flushed and filled the system with new GM fill. No idea why it start sounding like that - could be a bearing going south in the pump.
