Steering trouble

[brenmyster]

Hi guys
wonder if anyone can help?

Since thrashing round Brunters on Sunday my steering seems to be grinding and makes a rubbing noise whilst going round corners, noticed it a little on the last few laps, but seems to be getting worst today

Any ideas ??

Thanks

Simon

[John Mc]

not something silly like a mudflap catching when you turn to lock?

[brenmyster]

no don't think so , can hear it grinding seems to be coming from the steering column.

[John Mc]

Have you checked power steering fluid levels to ensure there is enough in?

[brenmyster]

no not yet , thought about that , but would that not just make it heavier ?

this feels like metal on metal

[John Mc]

Not sure mate, I'm just guessing now... I would imagine that not enough fluid would have the pump work harder which would make the steering heavier yeah... metal on metal feeling may be slight mis-alignment of rack and pinion system? Does it feel the same either lock or is it more one lock than the other?

[brenmyster]

more right hand down

[Megaman]

My old ST170 had a power steering pipe leak so the fluid slowly dipped below the right level - made a horrible grinding noise when ever steering so could be that.

Does it make a difference if you are turning a small amount vs full lock?

Id guess at power steering fluid level / mudflaps catching on something / wheels hanging on by loose nuts

The experts will be able to give a better answer though

[brenmyster]

yeah megaman seems to be worse turning slightly as opposed to full lock , will check fluid levels in the morning and hopefully just needs topping up or a replacement pipe/hose, worst case .

[Megaman]

out of interest have you tried putting the diff in manual and moving it all the way back to open mode and seeing if the issue is still there?

[brenmyster]

yeah mate , first thing I did was put the diff in open.

Checked fluid level this morning seems fine, no obvious signs of a leak

Going to a garage now to have it checked out

[Megaman]

Good luck mate - might be worth not mentioning that you were ragging it on the track..

[brenmyster]

1st opinion......near side front wheel bearing

[Megaman]

1st opinion......near side front wheel bearing

Wheel bearings cant be that expensive to replace can they??

It would have been bad news if theyd have said t was the gearbox/diff that was knackered mate, be positive

[brenmyster]

1 month left of the warranty, booked in tomorrow to confirm what it is

[Crockel]

If it is just the wheel bearing which needs replacing that won't be a dear fix. Parts and labour should come in around the £200 mark.

L

PS As Megaman said I would be really relieved if it is just a wheel bearing- easy and cheap compared to what could happen

[Gee Wr1]

Might be wrong but i'm sure is a lot more than that to replace at a dealers, around the 400 mark for parts & labour

There was something in the leaflets you got when the extended warranty stuff came in the post & it mentioned some costs of things if they go wrong to try & get you to take the warranty. I'm sure a wheel bearing was one of the examples & 400 was the price.

[Crockel]

Might be wrong but i'm sure is a lot more than that to replace at a dealers, around the 400 mark for parts & labour

There was something in the leaflets you got when the extended warranty stuff came in the post & it mentioned some costs of things if they go wrong to try & get you to take the warranty. I'm sure a wheel bearing was one of the examples & 400 was the price.

I must admit that I never use main dealers because they are charging near on £100 a hour labour and I can't see how on earth they can justify it. I had one of my wheel bearings replaced by an independent local Subaru specialist recently and using Subaru (not patent) parts it was £200 all in.

Replacing wheel bearings should be straightforward for any half decent mechanic so if they ask for £400 definitely look elsewhere!

L

[Megaman]

Yer my local stealership charges 90 per hour plus vat for labour - total rip off

[John Mc]

Yer my local stealership charges 90 per hour plus vat for labour - total rip off

But you are paying for the nice comfy chairs, heated building, coffee machine, fit resceptionists...

Anyone seen any of these?

[Crockel]

1 month left of the warranty, booked in tomorrow to confirm what it is

Any news?

L

[brenmyster]

had to re appt , due to work , booked in tomoz now Thursday.....will let you know

[Azyman]

My money is on a wheel bearing mine made a horrible noise when my rear wheel bearing went thought it was the diff

[Megaman]

Yer my local stealership charges 90 per hour plus vat for labour - total rip off

But you are paying for the nice comfy chairs, heated building, coffee machine, fit resceptionists...

Anyone seen any of these?

Dont forget the prompt service, where Megaman takes you out for an hour in the Focus ST and drops you off to find its still not ready...

Wonder how they define "Shouldnt take long"

[brenmyster]

It turned out to be a heat shield from one of the downpipes, the weld had broke top and bottom and as you turned the wheel it was rubbing on the main steering rod......as I had a big fat turbo and down pipe fitted recently the movement on install may have disturbed an already weak weld....seems ok now thou .....although the garage were not to happy to do it under warranty as I voided it after having new turbo and exhaust and engine re-map....but they begrudging did it in the end.

[Crockel]

Great result-you can't beat a free repair!

L

[Megaman]

glad to hear its sorted out mate