Technical Squeaking / Creaking from steering column

[bigshorty]

Hi All

Next little niggle with my newly acquired Panda 1.2 Dynamic Dualogic that I need some help with from you guys.

Right, for the first 5 or so miles of driving my Panda from it being parked up overnight everything is fine, then I start to get this odd noise when turning the steering wheel. It happens at any speed below approx 40mph, and in any direction and lock, and sounds like it's a rubbery, creaking sound. It's not very loud, and sounds like its coming from the steering column, I can't hear any unusual noises from outside the car.

From what I've researched there are a number of problems linked to this noise, power steering motor and/or servo, top suspension mounts, steering rack and pinions, but I was wondering if anyone can tell me the most likely cause of this noise? Luckily it does have a warranty, and I have already contacted the dealer, who has told me to bring it in on Friday. His first thoughts are top mounts, but surely that would cause the noise to be heard outside of the car, and not, from what sounds like, coming from the steering column alone.

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated so I can arm myself with as much info to give to the dealer when I drop the car off to him.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[DaveMcT]

Noises are virtually impossible to diagnose over the internet. If the car is otherwise normal see what the garage has to say about the noise.

On an entirely different subject...
It's a Duologic, so make 100% sure the gearbox and clutch servos have been properly serviced with the correct fluids etc and any warning signs are sorted before they devlop into problems. Duologic failures can cost more than the car is worth so get expert advice. Most garages wont have a clue.

 

[bigshorty]

Noises are virtually impossible to diagnose over the internet. If the car is otherwise normal see what the garage has to say about the noise.

On an entirely different subject...
It's a Duologic, so make 100% sure the gearbox and clutch servos have been properly serviced with the correct fluids etc and any warning signs are sorted before they devlop into problems. Duologic failures can cost more than the car is worth so get expert advice. Most garages wont have a clue.

Thanks for the reply

I do appreciate it is hard to diagnose noises, I was just hoping someone might have had a rough idea what the noise might have been, but I'll wait and see what the garage says. It seems the noise is intermittent as I drove my Panda for 50 miles today, and it did make the noise again, but for no more than 5 - 10 minutes of the whole journey. My bet is that it won't make the noise at all when in the garage, and they'll end up saying they couldn't find anything, that'll be just my luck!

As far as the car goes, it was a motability car, and has all servicing done that should've be done, it has been mechanically well looked after. Shame the previous owner didn't do the same concerning the bodywork, quite a few bumper scratches and marks present, although nothing major I guess.

Cheers again for getting back to me.

 

[koalar]

Is it like this?

 

[bigshorty]

Is it like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtkByIadRmA

I presume you mean the farty, chatter sound? No it's not like that at all. It a creaky, whining type noise that happens throughout the whole travel of the steering wheel in any direction.

I've taken it back to the dealer now for his mechanics to look at, but guess what, the steering didn't make the noise at all on the 25 mile drive back to the dealer, typical:bang:

I've also mentioned to him that the car has developed a serious judder when pulling away from stationary when cold, however the car stopped doing that as soon as I reached the dealer. Why can't these issue appear when the car gets dropped off!!!

 

[bigshorty]

Quick update here.

Dealer and his mechanics could find nothing wrong, I knew they wouldn't. He's told me to just keep driving it and see if it happens again, in which case get hold of him again. I'm picking it up this morning, but he did say that he would give it a go again before I got there, and now the car is cold, just to see if he noticed anything out of the ordinary. I'm sort of hoping my Panda will misbehave for him before I get there, there's always hope!!

I'll keep you posted on any new developments, but in the meantime, thanks for your replies, I really do appreciate the help.

 

[bigshorty]

Just a quick update here.

I've driven my Panda a couple of hundred miles since I last posted a reply on this thread, and I haven't had the squeaking / creaking noise come from the steering column return, no sign of it whatsoever.

Seems a bit odd to me, maybe I have a self healing Panda! Either that or maybe it needed a bit of driving, not sure how long it had been parked up before I bought it!

I'll keep an eye out just in case it does come back, otherwise thank you all for your advice, help and suggestions. Here's hoping this has been sorted!

 

[stevedavies1975]

I know this is an old post but am posting as it has the most appropriate title.

This is often caused by the universal joint that goes through the floor pan behind the pedal box, the sound transmits up the steering shaft and is heard around the steering wheel. Usually this can be resolved by a liberal application of silicone spray grease to the joint.

 

[DaveMcT]

I have just had the front hubs and driveshafts off my car. One of the front strut top mounts is dry and creaking when not under load.

 

[koalar]

I know this is an old post but am posting as it has the most appropriate title.

This is often caused by the universal joint that goes through the floor pan behind the pedal box, the sound transmits up the steering shaft and is heard around the steering wheel. Usually this can be resolved by a liberal application of silicone spray grease to the joint.

correct