General 'Creaking' steering wheel

[hpScot]

Well here's the latest of the 'Things to make you go Hmmmmm"

Have noticed that just before passing 10,000 miles on the clock and a year old the HP has presented me with a new noise....... a creaking sound coming from inside the steering column housing.

This originally manifested itself with a slight creak on slow speed turning right......now we have it everytime I turn the wheel - in any direction.

At least it can clearly be heard when parked and 'rocking' the wheel from side to side - so definately relating to the steering column - so can I assume that some lubricant has taken a year to dry out? The steering column housing appears to be secured by a single cross-head screw underneath....... I can't be bothered to take the car into the dealer - particularly bearing in mind the car was there for its' first service only a week ago. So before I get tore into removing the housing, locating the 'dried out' element and lubricating if possible, has anyone else experienced this?

Sounds like a plastic/nylon rubbing creak so white grease rather than 'cure it all' WD40?

Or should I just take it back in and say....."why should I do it?"

 

[hpScot]

Yippee! I take it I must be the first with this one then?

I'll let you all know how I get on.

 

[OZ Seicento]

Mine was starting this, with just under 5000miles before i traded it in there last week.
Let us know how you get on and what the problem is mate

Mark

 

[100hpJames]

both of mine have this, and my parents dynamic did too, its like a clicky noise when turning the wheel, more noticeable when turning lock to lock, no idea what it is though?

 

[hpScot]

Thanks guys - All I know is I didn't have this steering related noise for the first 10,000 miles so I'm not accepting that it's just a characteristic of the Panda.

With a little help from the Techns on here I've just about got the plastic surround off the steering column to have a better look at the column during movement - so I'll let you know if I get to the source of the creak.

 

[grandemike]

i noticed mine doing it the day i wrote it off. dont think its connected to that though. it had done just over 10k as well.

 

[hpScot]

Well....that's the underside of the steering column fully exposed now - interior looks as if someone has tried to hot wire it now

I've tried an initial application of WD40 on all obvious moving joints of the steering column - no joy yet. The creak/squeak definately relates to the turning of the wheel and the associated rotation of the vertical steering rod and it would be fair to say that it sounds as if it's quite near the top of the rod, probably somewhere near the point where the steering wheel meets the rod itself (it could actually be the junction between the two that's the source of the noise). Unfortunatley this area is 'protected' or screened by a lightweight metal plate retained with two 'star' screws and is located next to the powersteering servo motor.

I'll have a better look in daylight at the weekend and if grease or WD40 doesn't do the trip I think I'll have to arrange for dealer to have a look.

At least I've done the hard bit of removing the plastic cover - that should knock about an hour off the labour time.

 

[Dandy]

Bought a 18 month old Fiat Panda 1.1 Active from a dealer with only 200 miles on the clock.

I have the same creaking steering wheel. Noticed the noise after a day or two. So unlikely to be a milage thing. Does sound like something has dried up over time.

 

[hpScot]

OK so here's the latest on this one.

Took the car into my local dealer's Service department this morning only to be greeted with a set of shrugged shoulders, a question of me if there had been any recall for this? - jeez - shouldn't he know if there had been? And finally......hmmmm, "there's not even any FIAT guys in here today" (penalty for a shared FIAT/Citroen dealership I guess)

So off to Halfrauds - purchased some silicone spray lubricant (not keen to use any more WD40 in case we're talking rubber here) and back home for a further attempt.

Finally managed to remove the light alloy metal guard from the area in front of the servo motor junction with the steering column - who designs the screwheads and locations for these things? - certainly not someone who may have to remove them at some future date.

Having now lubricated every exposed joint and spent some time now with my head buried in the footwell to no avail I'm pretty sure we're talking about a dried out element inside the servo motor unit - thus no way I can get at it.:bang: Creak certainly seems to be coming from this area.

So that's enough for me - will book it in for an inspection on Monday of next week to enable a more 'expert' diagnosis. Could be the servo unit will have to be replaced under warranty or certainly its' removal to have a better look at the junction with the steering column.

"HPScot reporting, Paisley, Renfrewshire - now back to the studio..........."

 

[hpScot]

Status Update - hopefully not speaking too soon, but the amount of 'creaking' appears to have been reduced.:woot:

I'm going to top up the silicone spray tomorrow.

I'll keep you advised.

 

[hpScot]

No creaking today.

So it's the large fairly obvious ring visible just behind the steering wheel height adjuster lever. I did notice that this actually had rust on it when I first saw it after removing the casing.

Get yourselves some 3in1 silicone spray - NOT WD40!!! and give it some liberal coating - should do the trick after a few days application.

Just getting the casing off is a bit of a b*gger. I'm gonna leave mine stripped down for a few days.........just in case.

Hope this helps fellow sufferers.

 

[100hpJames]

thanks for the info, I'll give it a go in a week or so if it works for you

 

[Dandy]

Had my car checked over by the dealer. Creaking had been getting slightly worse by the day. Expecting a bit of lubrication to fix it.

But they are replacing the steering column under warranty.

 

[hpScot]

Had my car checked over by the dealer. Creaking had been getting slightly worse by the day. Expecting a bit of lubrication to fix it.

But they are replacing the steering column under warranty.

Very interesting - thanks for posting. I take it it's totally 'cured' now? - till the new one dries out. Can I ask what age and mileage the car has?

I'd be interested in knowing if there was actually a need to replace the entire steering column or if the dealer didn't fancy wasting time sourcing the 'creaking' - as I have done - and decided to replace it as it was still covered under warranty.

This is often the easiest route for the dealer in these instances - the FIAT technician members may wish to comment here?

I think I'll post a Poll on this to ascertain just how many Panda owners are suffering from this - might help out the owners of the new 500 when it happens to them - pretty sure much of it comes from the Panda parts bin.

I still have a slight recurrence of the creaking nearer full lock turning sharp right but I'm still monitoring it and lubricating if required. Perhaps I'll report it to the dealer so he can have it on file when I go back before year two warranty runs out to have it replaced.

 

[Dandy]

Only 500 miles on clock now.

Bought from dealer with delivery milage (200 ish) Its a 2006 (56) Reg Fiat Panda Active. Defo a case of something drying up cuz it was inactive.

I strongly suspect it was a case yep its creaking, were quite busy, gonna be fiddly and time consuming to find the creak, no YTS boys working today, oh its under warranty, sod it, lets replace the whole thing.

Its not replaced yet, but the new steering column is on order.

 

[hpScot]

Based on the above I've booked the HP into local dealer for wednesday of next week.

Gonna give up on the DIY lubrication.

Since I've been running without the radio on I've noticed a creaking from below rear - suspension? bushes? Yet more lubrication need somewhere? If so I'm glad I don't live in a warmer climate.

Hmmmm this car is beginning to annoy me - maybe the 100HP is only a one year ownership car?

If so I'm gonna thrash the ass off it for one more year with the radio on and get shot this time next year at the Xmas sales.:chin:

 

[hpScot]

Well that's her at the dealership waiting for someone to have a look to source the cause of the creak.

I know I'm a cynic but I reckon it will sit there all day - not even road test it or move into workshop - till I get a call about 4pm ish saying - had a look sir but no further forward - or worse still - we don't hear anything.

Well let's see if Arnold can restore my faith - fingers crossed.

 

[HP]

The problems you have had aren't really major though, are they? Betcha you'd have had just as many problems with a different make.

 

[hpScot]

The problems you have had aren't really major though, are they? Betcha you'd have had just as many problems with a different make.

True mate......had even more problems with my ALFA's.

Don't get me wrong - this sort of thing just spoils the ownership experience for me.

All I know is that I didn't have these creaks, groans and whistles when I first drove the car off the forecourt and don't think I should just put up with them after only one year of ownership and 10,500 miles.

Fine if I'd bought the car used at auction for washers - you pays your money and takes your choice - but with my wallet £10,000 lighter I have come to expect a bit more from car manufacturers - ALL manufacturers.

Perhaps there should be some sort of cash back deal based on the number of faults experienced say over the first three years rather than Warranties? - it might focus the minds at the factory a bit more.

 

[hpScot]

RESULT!

Just had the call - "Car ready for collection - new steering column on order."

I'd suggest other sufferers get themselves round to your dealer sharpish.