Creaking Steering

[NeilTindle]

The steering has started to creak loudly on my '96 Galaxy 2.0 petrol. It only does it at parking speeds and is fine when driving normally. I suspect the drive belt as the noise is coming from that side of the engine but I haven't been able to change it yet as nobody that is open on a Sunday has got one. I've read that if the undertray is missing it can cause the belt to slip when wet but mine in place. Any thoughts?

Cheers, Neil

[Jayton]

Mine is doing this too and is getting worse... it's also embarrassing. I wonder if Halfrauds do them...

[mikej]

Sounds very much like a seized bearing in the strut top mount to me, very common in fact mine doing it now. I hear mine more when turning the wheel to reverse slowly into a parking space or driveway etc, i am not saying it is this but sounds very much like it. When my undertray was off, my belt did slip a few times only in the wet weather and believe me you would notice, no stearing at all lol. :rolleyes: Edited February 1, 2010 by mikej

[dave21]

another possibility is the alternater the wheel on the alty works as a clutch system and at low speeds causes the steering to be both notchy and noisy . you can replace the wheel on the alty for about Edited February 2, 2010 by dave21

[Jayton]

notchy and noisy - that sums up the whole 'experience' :rolleyes:

[Mirez]

notchy and noisy - that sums up the whole 'experience' :rolleyes:

 

Get the muscles working and try and turn the steering without the engine running - you'll be able to rule out the PAS pump, pulley and belt if the noise is still there then. When the ball joints go on the suspention arms it also causes a creaking noise at parking speeds only - something else to check!

[NeilTindle]

Ok, so I've changed the drive belt, free'd off the tensioner and sprayed WD40 of the belt and it still makes the same noise when I turn the steering when stationary or at low speed. I now suspect the power steering pump or the steering rack. Both will be expensive so I don't want to replace them without beeing sure it's that. Any clues?

Cheers, Neil

[Mirez]

Ok, so I've changed the drive belt, free'd off the tensioner and sprayed WD40 of the belt and it still makes the same noise when I turn the steering when stationary or at low speed. I now suspect the power steering pump or the steering rack. Both will be expensive so I don't want to replace them without beeing sure it's that. Any clues?

Cheers, Neil

 

as above.

[NeilTindle]

Hi Mirez, I should have mentioned it doesn't make any noise when the engines not running so probably not ball joints. It only seems to do it when the the power steering pump is under load. I don't have to be acually moving the steering wheel just putting load on it seems to make the noise.

Cheers, Neil

[MrEnigma]

Hi Mirez, I should have mentioned it doesn't make any noise when the engines not running so probably not ball joints. It only seems to do it when the the power steering pump is under load. I don't have to be acually moving the steering wheel just putting load on it seems to make the noise.

Cheers, Neil

 

I have recently started getting this same issue.

 

Low engine revs and turning makes it notchy/noise when turning the steering. a few weeks back my dash display started "alternator - workshop" or something like that and the battery light lit up for a short time. I think the alternator belt needs replacing - I understand this belt also powers the steering pump . am I correct?

 

belt change might resolve it..

[NeilTindle]

I thought it was the drive belt too and replaced that and made the tensioner work smootly as it was a bit dry but neither made any difference. Is the power steering pump and rack rebuildable or is it time buy a new one. If it is which one first?

[Jayton]

Did you replace the pulley on the alternator? I think I read they are clutched systems to allow the alternator to spin faster when the engine speed is slowing down. It's this system that causes the noise iirc, correct me if I'm wrong.

[NeilTindle]

I'd read that the alternator pulley can make a noise at low speed but the symptoms don't seem to match mine as mine is at parking speeds and only when the power sterring is under load.

[Jayton]

Parking speed = slow speed ?

Turning the steering wheel = steering system under load ?

[NeilTindle]

Yes, parking speeds = low speed or stationary and yes, turning the steering wheel = putting the steering sytem under load.

[gregers]

is the tensioner bouncing?

[NeilTindle]

I don't think so but what would that indicate?

Cheers Neil

[gregers]

I don't think so but what would that indicate?

Cheers Neil

 

could indicate that the alt pulley has seized,check out the thread on it,read up and see whether it sounds like your problem???

[MrEnigma]

Same here, I am going to get the belt changed and will post here.

 

I tried to turn the wheel with engine off (very hard work) no noice.

on Idle - slight movment of steering and the noise is there. increase engine speed and turn wheel even only a little and lots of noise...

 

sounds like power steering to me and if its only low engine speed then its most likely the pump is not working properly (belt slippaged?)

[NeilTindle]

That's exactly the same as mine. Be sure to post what cures yours.

[NeilTindle]

Got a quote from a Ford garage yesterday. Steering rack

[Munter]

I had the same problem on my old Seat Toledo (also VW). I t would make very loud squeaking noises and "Bounce" when trying to reverse park and turn the wheel when stationary.

 

I told the local garage and they suggested a flush of the power steering system and new oil... it worked!

 

Might be worth a try before forking out for expensive parts.

Edited February 9, 2010 by Munter

[gregers]

neil read this,

http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.ph...amp;#entry95499

 

is it the same as your problem?

 

for the sake of under

[Jayton]

[Quick hijack]

 

Just been out and when I came back, I tested my steering while parked up.

 

I turned the steering wheel from left to right full lock to full lock and it only made the horrible noise when at full lock and applying more pressure - in both directions.

 

Does this sound more like a PAS fluid flush and replacement job rather than replacing the alternator pulley & belt? I had the same with my Vauxhell Fronterror, but never had it working long enough to find the cause.

[NeilTindle]

Ok, so I've spent the afternoon on the Galaxy and have ruled out the following:

alternator pulley

drive belt

drive belt tensioner

top swivels

drop links

With the engine running and the undertray removed, if the the steering is put under load the noise seems to be coming from the PAS pump. There is a very harsh vibration coming from it that I can feel in the in the steel pipe leading to the steering rack. Is there anything inside the pump like a pressure relief valve or bypass that could make this noise? Is the pump rebuildable or should I just swap it out for a new one and hope for the best?

Edited February 12, 2010 by NeilTindle