Squeaky Steering Rack
Discussion
Chaps & chapesses,
The liturgy of problems with my car continues.
Now, for some reason the power steering has become rather iffy. It regularly loses power with an accompanying squeaking noise (like a giant mouse) from under the bonnet. Consequently I have been very wary about driving this (and only of late to check/test)
On occasion, the problem had disappeared, and the steering would be fine.
Any ideas? I seem to remember reading a thread a while back, but cannot find it with search or by looking back a few months.
I hope to God this is a simple and/or inexpensive fix, because since I bought the car, I've now spent well over £5k in 6 months, and I am seriously considering selling. This is a burn rate way beyond what is acceptable for a car of this type. At the current rate of problems, I'll be £10k down in a year, and that I cannot afford. I'd rather just cut & run, and get a decent Chimaera which by all accounts would have lower running costs anyway.
The liturgy of problems with my car continues.
Now, for some reason the power steering has become rather iffy. It regularly loses power with an accompanying squeaking noise (like a giant mouse) from under the bonnet. Consequently I have been very wary about driving this (and only of late to check/test)
On occasion, the problem had disappeared, and the steering would be fine.
Any ideas? I seem to remember reading a thread a while back, but cannot find it with search or by looking back a few months.
I hope to God this is a simple and/or inexpensive fix, because since I bought the car, I've now spent well over £5k in 6 months, and I am seriously considering selling. This is a burn rate way beyond what is acceptable for a car of this type. At the current rate of problems, I'll be £10k down in a year, and that I cannot afford. I'd rather just cut & run, and get a decent Chimaera which by all accounts would have lower running costs anyway.
With all due respect, if you're thinking of abandoning ship, consistently moaning about the reliability of your car virtually every time you post will not do you any favours. You bought a handbuilt sports car, built on a shoestring from day one, which is now over 10 years old. Surely you would expect to be hit with the odd big bill? I'm not sure what would make you think a Chimaera of a similar age will need any less attention.
PS - Yes, I did the same. I bought an early 4.2 at the bottom of the market. I expected to throw a lot of money at it, and I was proven correct.
ETA - Having reread my post, it comes across as rather sharp. No offence intended, just personal opinion.
PS - Yes, I did the same. I bought an early 4.2 at the bottom of the market. I expected to throw a lot of money at it, and I was proven correct.
ETA - Having reread my post, it comes across as rather sharp. No offence intended, just personal opinion.
Edited by robsco on Monday 20th August 21:16
mickydoo said:
Chaps & chapesses,
The liturgy of problems with my car continues.
Now, for some reason the power steering has become rather iffy. It regularly loses power with an accompanying squeaking noise (like a giant mouse) from under the bonnet. Consequently I have been very wary about driving this (and only of late to check/test)
On occasion, the problem had disappeared, and the steering would be fine.
Any ideas? I seem to remember reading a thread a while back, but cannot find it with search or by looking back a few months.
I hope to God this is a simple and/or inexpensive fix, because since I bought the car, I've now spent well over £5k in 6 months, and I am seriously considering selling. This is a burn rate way beyond what is acceptable for a car of this type. At the current rate of problems, I'll be £10k down in a year, and that I cannot afford. I'd rather just cut & run, and get a decent Chimaera which by all accounts would have lower running costs anyway.
sounds like the woodruff key driving the pas pulley of the back of the pump assembly which means engine out pump rebuild or electric conversionThe liturgy of problems with my car continues.
Now, for some reason the power steering has become rather iffy. It regularly loses power with an accompanying squeaking noise (like a giant mouse) from under the bonnet. Consequently I have been very wary about driving this (and only of late to check/test)
On occasion, the problem had disappeared, and the steering would be fine.
Any ideas? I seem to remember reading a thread a while back, but cannot find it with search or by looking back a few months.
I hope to God this is a simple and/or inexpensive fix, because since I bought the car, I've now spent well over £5k in 6 months, and I am seriously considering selling. This is a burn rate way beyond what is acceptable for a car of this type. At the current rate of problems, I'll be £10k down in a year, and that I cannot afford. I'd rather just cut & run, and get a decent Chimaera which by all accounts would have lower running costs anyway.
Have you checked the UJs? If not jack up the front and turn the steering lock to lock, you should be able to feel the stiffness and hear a squeak if it is the UJ when the power steering isn't under load. Problems with the UJs are much more common than rack/pump issues, and a lot easier to fix!
APMAUTO said:
sounds like the woodruff key driving the pas pulley of the back of the pump assembly which means engine out pump rebuild or electric conversion
My first thoughts too Andy.Some good news for you though, if you are savvy and wait for one to turn up the pump should pop up on ebay for around £40 ish, a relay and 40 amp fuse plus a few lengths of wire and piping and you're laughing.
robsco said:
With all due respect, if you're thinking of abandoning ship, consistently moaning about the reliability of your car virtually every time you post will not do you any favours. You bought a handbuilt sports car, built on a shoestring from day one, which is now over 10 years old. Surely you would expect to be hit with the odd big bill? I'm not sure what would make you think a Chimaera of a similar age will need any less attention.
PS - Yes, I did the same. I bought an early 4.2 at the bottom of the market. I expected to throw a lot of money at it, and I was proven correct.
ETA - Having reread my post, it comes across as rather sharp. No offence intended, just personal opinion.
No offence taken. However, I didn't buy at the "bottom" end. I had & spent budget to bring the car up to scratch based upon the initial assessment, which I did immediately, and unfortunately problems continue to occur at the rate of at least one significant issue every two months. The car is looked after & cared for, and whilst driven regularly as recommended to ensure reliability, it isn't driven hard or pushed to it's limits.PS - Yes, I did the same. I bought an early 4.2 at the bottom of the market. I expected to throw a lot of money at it, and I was proven correct.
ETA - Having reread my post, it comes across as rather sharp. No offence intended, just personal opinion.
Edited by robsco on Monday 20th August 21:16
Tanguero said:
Have you checked the UJs? If not jack up the front and turn the steering lock to lock, you should be able to feel the stiffness and hear a squeak if it is the UJ when the power steering isn't under load. Problems with the UJs are much more common than rack/pump issues, and a lot easier to fix!
On the road, the steering turns more easily when not under load (i.e. at moderate speed). When stationary or moving slowly, is when the squeaking is loudest and when the PAS doesn't provide any assistance. This sounds close to what you describe above....right?mickydoo said:
Tanguero said:
Have you checked the UJs? If not jack up the front and turn the steering lock to lock, you should be able to feel the stiffness and hear a squeak if it is the UJ when the power steering isn't under load. Problems with the UJs are much more common than rack/pump issues, and a lot easier to fix!
On the road, the steering turns more easily when not under load (i.e. at moderate speed). When stationary or moving slowly, is when the squeaking is loudest and when the PAS doesn't provide any assistance. This sounds close to what you describe above....right?If it doesn't squeak without the engine running then I guess it is likely to be the woodruff key as per Andys suggestion.
mickydoo said:
On the road, the steering turns more easily when not under load (i.e. at moderate speed). When stationary or moving slowly, is when the squeaking is loudest and when the PAS doesn't provide any assistance. This sounds close to what you describe above....right?
That doesn't sound like the symptoms of a UJ to me. You'd find in the event of a failing UJ that the steering would feel notchy (or "square"), and/or it starts struggling to self centre. mickydoo said:
I'm not sure what you mean by notchy, but when I turn the wheel, it is "jerky". i.e. the resistance is variable as I turn the wheel, like a fish on a fishing line - pulling against then releasing then pulling against etc....
That sounds like the feel of a duff UJ to me. (with the proviso that it will be the same with the engine off and the front wheels in the air)Edited by Tanguero on Wednesday 22 August 11:18
+1. If the UJs are binding it will feel as though the PAS is working intermittently. Also the wheel will not centre itself eg when turning out of a T junction you'll have to manually turn the wheel back to the straight ahead. You can clean them up with a wire brush and penetrating fluid or WD40 and work some new grease into them, but in my case symptoms return after a few months hence will be looking to replace mine - or someone else will (Hi Andy!)
ok seems like the PS has completely packed up, and no notchy feeling anymore - I think the notchiness before was due to the PS kicking in and out as the resistance increased/decreased on the steering rack.
So engine out it seems. I've Nigel at RedMist pricing up options for me.
And then........yup something else.....windscreen wipers have stopped working. Then come back. Then stop again, and have been like this now for several days.
So, right now, I'm not a fan of this car - despite the fact I've looked after her, cared for her, and serviced her twice in the normal service internal, she's spent far too much time in the garage given the miles she's had - so far I've had a problem every month of ownership pretty much.
So she's going to sit under her cover whilst I clear the garage over the next few weeks, ready for the winter, and have a big sulk.
Then when I'm over it, and have added to my car maintenance savings she will go to the garage to get fixed, with the threat that if I get another significant problem/failure before Xmas, that we will get divorced.
So engine out it seems. I've Nigel at RedMist pricing up options for me.
And then........yup something else.....windscreen wipers have stopped working. Then come back. Then stop again, and have been like this now for several days.
So, right now, I'm not a fan of this car - despite the fact I've looked after her, cared for her, and serviced her twice in the normal service internal, she's spent far too much time in the garage given the miles she's had - so far I've had a problem every month of ownership pretty much.
So she's going to sit under her cover whilst I clear the garage over the next few weeks, ready for the winter, and have a big sulk.
Then when I'm over it, and have added to my car maintenance savings she will go to the garage to get fixed, with the threat that if I get another significant problem/failure before Xmas, that we will get divorced.
Pug 106 or Saxo PAS and either Wiper park switch or maybe a ribbon cable.
All potentially done in a weekend.
tbh if these issues bother you so much then perhaps a Cerb is not for you? These are a couple of the easy fixes!
Wait till your diff bush clunks or your brake and clutch master cylinder fail...
All potentially done in a weekend.
tbh if these issues bother you so much then perhaps a Cerb is not for you? These are a couple of the easy fixes!
Wait till your diff bush clunks or your brake and clutch master cylinder fail...
Ridds
It's not so much the problems themselves but the damned apparent frequency of them. I think I've just had a run of bad luck with her.
When I've blown off steam, I'll take a look at the wipers, and like you say, it's probably an easy one.
PAS is probably one step too far for me, and a garage job, but if you think this is something I could do at home (being reasonably competent with a set of spanners) without the engine out, then I'll look into it....
Cheers for helping me put it into perspective
It's not so much the problems themselves but the damned apparent frequency of them. I think I've just had a run of bad luck with her.
When I've blown off steam, I'll take a look at the wipers, and like you say, it's probably an easy one.
PAS is probably one step too far for me, and a garage job, but if you think this is something I could do at home (being reasonably competent with a set of spanners) without the engine out, then I'll look into it....
Cheers for helping me put it into perspective
mickydoo said:
ok seems like the PS has completely packed up, and no notchy feeling anymore - I think the notchiness before was due to the PS kicking in and out as the resistance increased/decreased on the steering rack.
So engine out it seems. I've Nigel at RedMist pricing up options for me.
And then........yup something else.....windscreen wipers have stopped working. Then come back. Then stop again, and have been like this now for several days.
So, right now, I'm not a fan of this car - despite the fact I've looked after her, cared for her, and serviced her twice in the normal service internal, she's spent far too much time in the garage given the miles she's had - so far I've had a problem every month of ownership pretty much.
So she's going to sit under her cover whilst I clear the garage over the next few weeks, ready for the winter, and have a big sulk.
Then when I'm over it, and have added to my car maintenance savings she will go to the garage to get fixed, with the threat that if I get another significant problem/failure before Xmas, that we will get divorced.
So engine out it seems. I've Nigel at RedMist pricing up options for me.
And then........yup something else.....windscreen wipers have stopped working. Then come back. Then stop again, and have been like this now for several days.
So, right now, I'm not a fan of this car - despite the fact I've looked after her, cared for her, and serviced her twice in the normal service internal, she's spent far too much time in the garage given the miles she's had - so far I've had a problem every month of ownership pretty much.
So she's going to sit under her cover whilst I clear the garage over the next few weeks, ready for the winter, and have a big sulk.
Then when I'm over it, and have added to my car maintenance savings she will go to the garage to get fixed, with the threat that if I get another significant problem/failure before Xmas, that we will get divorced.
Hi Mickydoo - you need to meet 'mrzigazaga' on the Wedge forum (or Mr Perseverance keeping his car on the road in spite of monthly woes). He has gone from cursing/selling his car to now being a keeper because of doing/spending so much......
Have you been unlucky? - Yes!
Would you expect £5k every 6m - no!
Should you keep her? - Yes, if you can afford her! (as you know long term £2k pa should be the norm..).
A Chim will have lower annual running costs but can still bite you on the bum and you will be starting with an unknown quantity initially....
I had a low mileage (22k) Cerb 4.5 a few years ago which came recommended and was in fine fettle - engine let go after 6m and I had to sell to pay for the £5k bill..... still don't regret owning her but big bill came at the wrong time (5th child due...).
I'm sure you will reflect whilst waiting to put your car right and will arrive at the right decision for you. Good luck, Paul.
ridds said:
Wait till your diff bush clunks ...
Joolz immediately diagnosed worn diff bush in my car, and when I moaned about having to replace it he said not to bother unless it really annoyed me, as it probably wouldn't get any worse.mickydoo said:
It's not so much the problems themselves but the damned apparent frequency of them.
I can definitely sympathise with that, my car only seems to work for a few days at a time between issues.Gassing Station | Cerbera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff